The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-11
CITY Commission
ACT BEST WITHOUT AUDIENCE
SHY AT FEATS OF FINANCE
AND DO AS USUAL.

The problem of making a street
fund which is $2,40O worse off than
was Dick Wilmington available for
paying better than $500 of war.
rants issued or about to be issued
gave the commissioners cause for
deep thought that was like to crack
their brain pans last night In the
regular weekly meeting of the city
council. There are charges against
this account which will cause IL to
be in the doldrums for some time to
come. There was a disposition on
the part of some of the men to reg
lister the warrants until such time as
the funds could be got from the tax
collections. 1t was purposed to issue
a warrant on the street and sewer
fund, and deposit 1t in the sinking or
savings fund, giving that latter fund
the advantage OF the interest. After
sliding away from the subject several
times, and being as often hauled back
by Auditor Rae, who became insist
ent that something be done to rescue
the rapidly sinking patient, they de-
cided to make a temporary enforced
loan of the electric light fund to the
street and sewer fund, under the
camouflage of "a temporary trans
fer" and in the sum of $4,000. The
auditor was solemnly warned not Il
forget 1t.
A fire truck came up for consider
alton again. Some of them have
been thinking of this proposition
three years. they admit. They have
now got SO far along as to measure
up the tanks, and arranged to meas
ure the dimensions of a Ford deliv-
cry truck chassis, with a view to
mounting the chemical tank and a
considerable amount of water hose
on 1t for Use in case OF fire. Three
years more ought to see-but what's
the use OF dreaming. They. waxed
caustic in their remarks, suggesting
that III the merchants wanted to take
active measures to reduce their risks
they ought to see to the cleaning up
and making more secure their own
premises. Numerous cases were cit
ed where, when the merchants or
tenants attention was called to the
condition of his premises, he al once
made a decided Improvement In their
risk and appearance.
A garnishment proceeding against
the payment of a warrant by the city
to assigns of John Roche was
brought to the attention Of City At
torney c. J. Porter. The notice was
served on Auditor Rae on the part of
the city. The matter Is somewhat
entangled, but the city announced it.
self wholly impersonal in the matter,
but desires to be assured of paying
to the rightly authorized persons.
The incident called for a long recita-
ton of experiences by Mayor Robert
son with sheriffs and other insistent
individuals, in which the mayor al
ways came out best.
A letter from DIR. j. w. Heston, on
the part Of the Normal school was
read. making a statement OF the fl
nances appropriated by the legisla-
ture to be used in the paving, and
which was exhausted before the paw
ing was paid for. The early estimate
of the city engineer was relied on as
to the cost Of the paving, and the
rest was expended. This leaves a
balance of over 5000 to be paid, and
there are no funds. The matter was
referred to City Engineer Trimmer.
1t was decided that a street man
for sweeping was not needed all the
time now. Arrangements will be
made for intermittent services as re-
quired.
The commissioners are again NOV
ed to consider buying numbers for
houses, and boards indicating the
streets. The matter was referred to
the auditor and mayor for getting
prices.
The judgment against the city in
the matter of the erection Of the dis
posal plant wrung expressions of
grief from the city parents. With
the finances of the funds in such an
emaciated condition. with the facts
of the case as stated. they were I'M
able, even after long and sorrowful
consideration of the case. to see
where there was a vestige of justice
in a decision that would further tax
the suffering funds to the extent of
$1,400 or $500.
The temporary installation Of the