The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-05-01

neer but not street superintendent.
According to Judge Stanton's ruling
in an action brought by the former
city attorney, P. J. Russell, to re-
strain the city from paying the COM
bined salary to Mr.. Swinson as city
engineer and street superintendent,
one person cannot hold the two off,
ces and the action of the present city
council in combining the two was
declared illegal, after Mr.. Swinson
had held the same office under the
past two council administrations.
That being so, it was up to the
council to fill the offices and at the
meeting last night Mr.. Swinson was
again named city engineer at a sal
ary of Sc per day working time, his
selection being unanimous.
The appointment of a street su-
perintendent was deferred until the
next meeting of the council.
Soually at Times.
The session last night was the
most animated of any yet held by
the new council, and lasted until II
o'clock, and for few moments it
looked decidedly squally as insinua-
tions, accusations and denials were
hurled promiscuously with City En-
gineer Swinson, Alderman Hazen and
Alderman Smart playing the chief
roles. a.
City Engineer swinson. his salary
city engineer held up, presented a
bill for $282 for services as engineer,
being at the rate of Sc per day.
81 m
the bill, asserting that there had
been an inspector on the bridge part
of the time at $3.50 per day and he
stated he couldn't see where Mr..
Swinson was entitled to Sc per day
when he did not devote his full time
to the bridge where there had been
an inspector. He did favor, how
ever, the deduction Of the amount
paid the inspector, and allowing the
balance as Mr.. Swinson's bill.
Alderman Lahr called upon City
Attorney Brown for an opinion. The
latter gave it that the charter fixed
no special compensation but that he
believed Mr.. Swinson was entitled to
a reasonable compensation for ser
vices performed.
"Crazy." Says Swinson.
"Why pay for work never done?"
calculated Alderman Smart.
At this juncture Mr.. Swinson took
the floor and looking squarely at Mr..
Smart hotely exclaimed, IF you
think they all do you're crazy" In
an instant Smart was on his feet
leaning over the table toward Swim.
son. He started to express himself
tn 103n0 Ho
evidently knew what he wanted to
say, but was SO wrought up he had
tough time in saying what he want
ed and doing it in manner bef1tting
council meeting, but he managed
to get it out. "A man cant sit In
a drug store and around the town and
earn money for the city. Don't you
think I'm crazy
Alderman Hazen then got into the
running.
"The whole thing is that some
persons have axes to grind. There
must be some sore places. believe
Mr.. Swinson is entitled to his pay, II
not as street commissioner then city
engineer. He's filled the same office
for the past two years.
Old Council Wrong.
Smart-"We knew at the time
when we combined the offices two
years ago we were doing wrong
Moberg-I think Swinson is en-
titled to his 500 per month and no
more"
Miller-"As I understand it we
have no street superintendent and
city engineer now. We ought to pay
him 500 per month"
Lahr-"1f it's illegal why pay 1t
at all?"
Phillippi-"I have no objection to
paying it, The question of its le-
gality has been enjoined. don't
feel safe in doing so. believe he's
entitled to his pay but how to do it
l don't know"
Smart"I'll make a motion to hold
out the money paid the inspector and
allow the rest of the BILL
Then ensued a discussion of what
had been paid the inspector and it
was looked up and found to have
been $7250, which would leave
s2O9.50 for Mr.. Swinson. On the
roll call after a second, the motion
was lost, Smart, Moberg, Phillippi
and Miller voting "aye"; Bagley,
Smith, Hazen, Joanis and Clark vot-
ing may" Backus was absent.
Smart-'Tahr voted to allow bill
for blind woman after 1t