Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-07
PRINTING REPORTS
STARTS STORM At
COUNCIL MEETING
COMMISSIONER LOCK HORNS
WHEN ATTEMPT is MADE TO
CUT EXPENSES BY ABOlISHiNG
PUBLICATION OF MONTHLY
STATEMENTS.

Reports of appointive officers will
be printed from month to month in
the city's official paper, notwithstand
ing that an attempt was made by
Commissioners Palmer and Campbell
at the regular meeting of the council
this morning to abolish this custom
as a means of curtailing expenses un.
der the retrenchment propaganda in.
stituted by the Commissioner OF Ac-
counts and Finance.
Principal objection was raised to
the custom of printing all monthly re.
ports of sub-ofFicers Commissioners
Campbell and Palmer agreed that the
people as general rule were not in
terested in the detailed accounts Of
the city's employees, and for this rea
son there was an unnecessary expen-
diture of money that could be doEe
awav with
Commissioners Meagher and the
mayor led the attack upon such a plan
and a substitute motion was made
that the reports be received and filed
and this motion carried. 1t means
the reports will be published as here
tofore. The amended motion as put
by Mr. Meagher carried by three to
two vote with Mr. Helffrich and the
mayor joining with him in securing
its passage.
The argument was instituted when
Commissioner Palmer moved that the
reports of the police chief, fire mar
shal and plumbing inspector be re.
ceived and recorded and that the prac.
tice of publishing them be discontin-
ued. Parliamentary rules. countains.
out-of-molehills and other features en-.
tered into the controversy while the
councilmen discussed the proposition
for half an hour or more.
It was during this debate that first
official recognition Of an attempt to
recall the present form of government
was given at meeting Of the com.
missioners. Mr. Meagher said that in
view of rumors that were afloat IL
would not be good policy for the Off.
cials to discontinue at this time a
practice that had been in vogue for a
year. 1--WE have nothing to conceal
said Mr.. Meagher, "and | for one do
not favor abolishing the practice Of
publishing these reports, particularly
at this time"
New Attorney Present.
Roger Clark, newly appointed city
attorney, was present this morning at
his first meeting of the council Mr.
Clark was named to succeed Taylor
Strawn, who resigned his post to take
up military training at the govern
ment's school for reserve officers.
Mr. Clark received his commission at
a special meeting of the council on
Friday morning. His first official act
was to decide the difference between
a subsequent and an amended motion
during the debate on the printing is
sue. He will take up the work where
Mr.. Strawn left off and is now pre-
pairing for the city's defense in two
improvement contests that are pend
la =, In, Gnutb Otto,pa
Reports Are Read.
The report of City Clerk Curtis
showed there was balance in the
banks to the city's credit of $S,79271,
after meeting the pay roll, $6,342.26.
Police Chief Zurich reported that
his department had made 60 arrests
during the month of April and that
fines amounting to $50 were collected,
Fire Marshal Boissenin reported Sly
nres and one false alarm during the
month of April.
In spite of general strike that put
his department more or less on the
blink Plumbing Inspector Wilson
announced that he had collected $32
in April for inspections.
Street Supervisor Fox gave an item.
lied report of moneys expended under
his supervision
City Sealer Johnson reported on his
gas tests for April and announced that
the standard was above the legal re
qurements at all times during the
month.
Bridge Tenders Want Raise.
The city bridge tenders petitioned
the council for an increase in wages
They are now receiving $36 per month
and request that they be given al
least $i5. They cite the high cost o.
living as their principal reason fol
asking raise. The petition was re
ferrod to the council as whole fol
future action.
IL