The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-03-15
FUEL YARD TO Be. ESTABL|SHED--.NEW
BRIDGE WILL NOT BE BUILT
SO Articles Voted Upon at the Annual Town
Meeting Held in Skowhegan Monday

promptly at nine o'clock. almost
every seat in the Opera House was
occupied Hon. L. l.. Walton made
the first motion of the day, namely,
the waving of the reading of the
warrant This motion was carried.
Unanimously, he was chosen Modera-
tor by reason of his capable and eff
ficient services in like capacity year
ago.
Adam Simpson was unanimously
elected Town Clerk and Collector of
Taxes for another year, at salary of
$1,000 year for the two offices. There
were no new candidates for select
men and Clyde H. Smith, Henry Demo
and }. W. Packard were unanimously
reelected to the Offices of first, sec
ond and third seectmen, respectively.
Miss Gertrude S. Weston was re-
elected Park Commissioner for an
other year. 1t was voted to accept
the town reports for the year, 1916
The selectmen will serve another
year as assessors. Article ), regard
ing the election of three special ap-
praisers being passed over. George
Z. Sampson was unanimously re-
elected Town Treasurer and a b.
Lamb, Auditor.
There were two candidates for the
position of superintcndng school
committee, VIM. H. Hawes for
reelection and Thomas G. Lord, the
new candidate. A ballot vote was
cast the result of which was 253 to
127 in favor of Mr.. Hawes. A. b.
Lamb, John l.. Fish and Everett T.
Goodrich were appointed to have
charge of the ballot box. The result
shows that the good work done by
Mr. Halves has been appreciated.
The first new article of importance
to the town was Article Z, regarding
the establishment of permanent
wood, coal and fuel yard for the pur-
inhabitants of the town and to raise
sum of money for its establishment
and maintenance. John II. Ian
caster, secretary of the Committee of
Twenty. reported that the committee
recommended Article 7 ito be passed
over" A vote was taken which op-
posed the passing over of the article.
new motion was then made by w.
H. Halves, namely. that the town es-
tablish such yard This motion
was enthusiastically carried, after a
stirring speech by Clyde H. Smith
who spoke in favor of the measure,
saying that he hoped the town would
60 on record for taking a most i'm
portant step in the right direction
Edward F. Merrill said he agreed
with the remarks of the first select
man but added that it was indeed
Il most important step and that the
town must be safeguarded from any
loss from the undertaking. He
then made motion to the effect that
the municipal officers shall not deliv-
er fuel otherwise than for cash, for
in that case no one could ever accuse
the officers of favoring anyone. c.
II. Gardner asked if the object of the
fuel yard was to supply everyone in
the town who wished to purchase
their fuel here or if it were to be es-
tablished mainly for the poorer peo-
pie who could not well afford to buy
their wood at the regular prices Ed
ward f. Merrill replied that in order
to serve its purpose, that fuel would
have to be delivered to all who asked
for it and who paid cash Mr. Gard
ner said that he had understood that
a line had been drawn regarding this
matter in other towns and cities and
stated that in his estimation the
town should not go into any business
which would drive others out OF
business. Clyde II. Smith answered
that it is not the intention of the town
to drive others out of business, but
to prevent no discrimination being
made. it should be a rule that no one
should purchase more than one ton at
time, but that he must buy as need
ed
This led to a somewhat lengthy
discussion Chief of Police Frank p
Pennell said that he believed in the
motto, "The greatest good to the
greatest number" and said that the
town should have in mind the well
fare and take care of the 500 rather
than of the five or six men who
might be in the fuel business. e. E.
Greenwood then made a motion that
the article be laid on the table for
Continued on Page Three)
Canning Clubs for the girls. Any