Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-17
COUNCIL PERMITS
LIGHTER Street CAR
Three RemOnshances Against
AbOishing Office of
Police MatrOn

before the Salem council last night was
an ordinance introduced by Council
man Unruh allowing the Salem street
railway system to make change in
the kind of ears that will be run over
the streets. The change contemplated
is from the double truck style of ear
to the single truck, which is consider
ably lighter This type of ear is known
as the Ferney ear and is in use in Sc
attle and Bellingham, Washington. The
difference between the double trucks
and the single trucks is a matter of
much weight, as the latter are about
| II 600 pounds and the former 10000.
There are six single truck cars now
in use under special authority on the
Salem lines.
The ordinance granting authority to
make the change was introduced last
night, and on explanation of Superin-
| tendent Billingsley that it was neces-
sary to have immediate action on ae
count of the difficulty in getting ship
ments from the east, the rules were
suspended and the measure brought to
final vote and passed.
! In the discussion concerning whether
or not the ordinance should come to
vote at this time, Mayor Keyes was
in favor of postponing and investigat-
| ing the franchise provisions. Council
man Unruh insisted that the vote be
taken and after some parliamentary
| tactics this was done
About Police Matron
Three different remonstrances a
gainst the ordinance introduced by
Councilman Unruh to abolish the office
of police matron in the city of Salem
were read One of the remonstranees
presented contained the names of about
400 Salem citizens who expressed them
selves much in favor of retaining the
office. The second remonstrance was
presented on the part OF the ministers
of the city, and the third by the wo-
men of the w. G. T. IT,, who expressed
themselves as being in favor of the of
| flee being maintained. 1t was shown
also that the public in general is TAX
ing the matter up and that when the
ordinance comes up it will be hard
fought from start to finish.
The matter of the Twelfth street
paving cases was brought up and City
Attorney Macy gave notice that he
intended to secure rehearing of the
case, which was decided against the
city in favor of the property owners
who objected to the assessments. The
supreme court decided that the bids
had not been advertised according to
the provision of the charter and were
therefore not legal. As a result of this
decision, if it stands finally, the city
will be compelled to repay the assess
ments already received from property
holders on that streets. 1t was inti-
mated that the question would be
brought up at the next city election in
the form of an initiative measure to
repay to all property holders in the
city assessments made for street i'm
3provements. This would mean a, repay
lment of about 81 800 900.
To Have Street Signs
Bids were opened last night for
street signs and the bid of Hodson-
Freenaughty of Portland, were accept
ed. The signs are to be furnished at
sixty five cents each. The council de-
Icided to purchase 250 of these signs al
though the street committee recon
Imended the purchase Of wooden signs.
To be in line with other cities of
the country in requiring that all busl-
ness houses fly the American flag,
! Councilman Jones asked that the or
dinance committee be instructed to
draw up an ordinance providing for the
flying of such flags. 1t was the opinion
of Mayor Keves and City Attorney
Macy that such an ordinance would be
unconstitutional. However, they sug-
Igested that resolution might prove as
effective. Councilman Jones agreed
that if a resolution would be as effect
live he was willing to let it go at that.
The motion passed with only three dis
Isenting votes
A special committee composed OF
! Councilmen Wilson, Elliott and Unruh
was appointed to investigate the pur-
chase of a rock crusher for crushing
trOck required for street work.
Cement Bids A Tie
-Four Salem firms submitted equal
bids to furnish the city with cement
and the city recorder was instructed
to enter into a contract with each.
Instruction to 90 ahead with the con,
struction of pile bridge over Mill
Greek on South Capital street was civ
en-. The bridge is located between Mill
and Oak streets.
A petition from the parent teacher
le1rele OF the Lincoln scHool requested
that the council take action in quar-
antining eases of whooping cough. The
petition was referred to the ordinance
committee.
The ordinance prohibiting the use Of
the national anthem, "The Star Spang-
lied Banner, !" in medleys or parodies
was passed by the council.
The ordinance requiring a license fee
of $40 year from garbage collectors
was passed. The money derived from
the licenses goes to maintain a city
dumping ground.
-~-zH~e---