The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-04-17
PAUPERS ARE NOT
TO ROAM STREETS:
,JlTNEY ORDINANCE
WILLBEENF0RCED

ed the attention of the city council
last evening at it's regular meeting,
ono having to do with the care of
the paupers being little out of the
ordinary, it being asserted that some
of the inmates of the city's poor
home are given to meandering all
over the city, apparently using the
city home as convenience. And
this is going to be stopped and regu-
lated.
One inmate, who claims to be
blind, isn't so blind as he would
have it believed, it has been often
remarked around the city, and last
night Alderman Phillippi in COM
menting on this specific case men,
toned "Blind" Smith, who, he as
serts. the other day called attention
to a barn being moved. This same
Smith is a frequent visitor, around
the business district and there has
been some complaint of some of his
actions. It was stated in council
that Smith had been a county and
city charge for over ~ years.
Will Be Regulated.
Other instances were mentioned
and Alderman Phillippi was desig-
mated 10 see the caretaker and keep
the paupers at home except at in
tervals when they would be allowed
to come up town, and to also take
their exercise elsewhere than in the
business district. It was the ex-
pressed belief that if some of them
were compelled to stay at the home
and not be allowed to board and
room there gratis and spend the rest
of the time away there would be less
charm on the part of some in being
taken care of without having thing
to occupy their time and attention.
Will Enforce Bond.
It was brought up also by Alder
man Phillippi where he witnessed
jitney driver going at breakneck
speed past farmers team, barely
missing the horses half a foot and
causing one of the horses to attempt
a runaway. This brought up other
matters along the same line and it
was decided to enforce the ordinance
to the letter, which compels jitney
drivers 10 furnish bond of $4,000
to idemnify the city. This feature
has never been enforced for the rea-
son it is costly to the drivers, but
as it is now, in case of accident, the
city would be liable and have no re-
course for any accident caused by
recklessness on the part of some ir-
responsible driver. It is believed
tho enforcement of the ordinance
would reduce the number of drivers
to those more responsible in every
way.
It was also mentioned that some
drivers charge 20 cents for a pas
seager to 14th street while some soak
their passengers so cents. The regu-
1ation of fares will in all proba bility
be taken up also.
Bridge Bond Issue?
Alderman Lahr, chairman of the
special committee to ascertain the
status of the bridge, said the COM
mittee was working out plan for
the payment of the bridge, but was
unable to do much as yet owing to
the city clerks report not being
available However, the committee
made some recommendations which
were approved and adopted. They
included the addition of two more
lamps on the bridge, and where
lighter steel had been sent than the
specifications called for that the
bridge company is to use reinforcing
and assume all responsibility for any
defects should they arise later.
It was also suggested that the cost
of the approaches. walks, paving of
the approaches and all such matters
as the city will also have to pay
for be ascertained, together with the
cost of the bridge, in other words the
complete job, limiting hat vote on
a bond issue would come before the
people to pay for the bridge. The
complete cost will be ascertained.
Roll of Honor
A communication was received
from the bridge company asking
that the names of the last city
council which ordered the bridge be
sent the names to go on a bronze
to be placed on the bridge,
the tablet being specified in the
contract.
Lahr moved to omit the plate, say
ing he didn't care to have his name
on it.
President Clark remarked that he
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