The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-11-13
CITY COMMISSION
THEY ACT UP AS USUAL-THEIR
RECORDS MAY NOT SHOW
ALL DONE.

AVl n IA&L GAteh tA1
journed before 10 o'clock last night.
Indeed, so proud of their record were
they that they called specific atten-
ton to the fact. But ever in that
limited time they accomplished much
of importance in the way of legisla-
Son and routine.
Urged by the presence of Mes
danes T. MCGEE and G.. McKibbin,
they again grappled with the problem
OF how to pay for the comfort kits for
the conscripted men. They were en-
tirely in the dark as to how they
could legally accomplish the feat,
and the only precedent for such ac-
ton was the fact that money Is APP
propriated by the commission each
year on Memorial day for a banquet
for the veterans Of the G. A. r.. The
good men gave up the puzzle until
the arrival of City Attorney G. j.
Porter, and upon his late arrival they
put the question to him. Mr.. Porter
held out no hope. Things looked
mighty dark for the project. He
said that ne know of no fund for such
a purpose upon which they could
draw for such a purpose. Whereupon
the commissioners decided to brave
the ire of an angry world and pay the
amount anyway.
Another problem left for Mr.. Por-
ter's opinion was that of procedure
In the matter of forcing In grades
and sidewalks in places where the
owners allege damage to trees and
previously laid walks. Roy Kennedy
and Geo. r. Farmer submitted writ
ten statement of their position in the
destruction of is certain trees and a
length of walk already in, claiming
damage and advising instant settle
ment. and alleging a change of grade
since the present levels of walks and
parking were made. On Mr.. Portar's
arrival these papers were submitted
to him, and his opinion was that If,
as alleged. the grade had been estab-
lished and these improvements made
In accordance with them, and a
change made later to the detriment
OF the property, the city was liable
to damages. He further stated that
1t was a matter of speculation as to
the city's liability III there had been
no grade established, and the city
had allowed certain improvements to
be made. If they had been made un-
der direction of city officers by and
with either the active or passive con-
sem of the council, he was UMPIRE
pared to state the degree in which
the city would be liable, or whether
ID would be liable. The commission
ers determined to proceed as they
had planned, and will find out by
actual decision just how far private
individuals may hinder or stop devel-
opment of the city on the city's prop
erty. The contract for the work has
been signed, and the contractor will
begin at once.
Having been advised only through
the public prints that there remained
a leak in the roof of the library, G.
Ransch appeared and stated that he
stood ready to make the work good,
and expressed regret that they had
not personally acquainted him with
the condition. The commission ex-
planned that they recognized that he
would make the work perfect on no
tice without complaint, and only neg
lected to see him, pending the time
when they were ready TO redecorate
the walls and ceiling of the rooms.
The commissioners again brought
up the matter of having no reports
of inspectors for the street work, and
having proceeded with the acceptance
of the work. The engineer assured
them that there had been filed in his
office certain daily reports by these
inspectors. but that they had not
been attached to the estimates which
he furnished. Referred to the city
attorney, he stated that there was no
legal question involved, and that II
was only a matter of a business ar
and the wcrkmen.
The Diesel engine is now to run
day and night continually, except
that Sundays one of the small en-
gines may be run for a time. Mayor
Robertson said that he had quite a
time persuading the men in charge
of the engine to do this. but that with
the help of the expert who over
hauled the machine, he finally pre-
vailed. These engines are said to
give much better results when run
continuously than they do when heir
operation is intermittent, and effect
q saving of the hour consumption of
fuel. Mr.. Robertson stated that
with nearly a full load on the engine
the consumption was about 10 gal
Ions an hour. In this connection, too
1t was proposed to cut down on the
consumption of electricity for USE
Less signs and excess of street light
ing. following the example set by
many of the larger cities. They flirt-
ed with this question only a moment,
then drifted to the discussion Of a
car of diverted oil which was to be
sold in st. Lonis because of the stop
page of consumption here when the
engine was being rebuilt. Then they
went hilariously INTO a discussion OF
greater storage capacity, specializing
somewhat idly on the comparative
costs and values of steel and cement
tanks as containers. This matter was
under discussion at the time Of adj
journment, and we reckon. for some
time after.
Ron0rdc arc haiuw rrcrarod for