The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-02-19
CITY Commission
THEIR SUPPOSED ACTIVITY AS
SEEN FROM WITHOUT THE
CHARMED CIRCLE.

seemed to be something doing among
the commissioners, of whom the
mayor, Jas. Robertson and T. A.
Johnson were present. hen on-a
dark plot Matching of mischief brew
ing. Whatever 1t was was smother
ed among the closely crowded heads
of the conference, and there was no
chance for the u~ninitiated. They
lust went into executive session in
voluntarily, without announcement,
and took the most effective means of
keeping the proceedings secret.
The commissioners are again look
ing with solemn disapproval upon the
obstruction which N. T. Dingman
placed in the creek last summer.
The water has been held back until
it submerged the mouth of the storm
sewer emptying into the, creek at the
bridge on lower Egan venue, and
| the formation of ice effectually seals
the sewer. This matter was thresh-
ed out last summer. 1t was declared
that the city had no jurisdiction in
the matter until it had sustained an
injury, and this situation now OBJ
tains. At that time they declared
He can't fill up the creek"-but he
did. Just the same. They are going
to use persuasion to have him re-
move the obstructing dam when the
ground thaws out.
The commissioners are considering
the printing and compiling of the
| city ordinances. The last book was
| printed in 1908, and there have been
many ordinances passed since then,
and they are not in shape for ready
reference. They are going to look
into it."
The financial report of the electric
and water supply was read, but in
asmuch as Auditor Rae had either
omitted the item of salaries, or got 1t
confused with the item for hard coal,
as pointed out by Supt. f. G. Quarn-
stram, the commissioners did not APP
prove it. Mr.. Rae promised to OBJ
tain the missing parts and attach
ments, and have them all assembled
in proper order to perform their
functions by next meeting. The
statement would lead the ordinary
man to believe that the power insti-
tuition was not paying out very well,
as the total OF expenditures closely
resembled the amount OF receipts.
But there were much of the nature
of permanent improvements during
the past year-an oil tank, valves,
lubricator, new parts and equipment.
and $3.50 for repairs TO the large
engine. These items cannot properly
be charged 10 expense.
The commissioners are about to
order numbers for designating city
houses, and will send in an order at
once on receipt of the information as
to the assortment. The numbers are
three inches i'm heighth, and cost SIS
a thousand. The city will furnish
them. due to the difficulty of getting
the bashful freeholder- TO purchase
the numbers. Ii is proposed to ask
for bids for attaching the numbers to
the houses. But there's plenty oil
time-plenty OF time.
With $50 water users and an ordel
to have their meters in by May 1, the
: auditor reports that there are about
40 meters installed in the city. They
i got real restless about it-someont
asked them il they had theirs install
, ed. They had lot. Then calmly ant
E empressement they urged upon Supt
!. Rafferty, the importance and need o
!. haste in getting the thing under wa!
, and told him to get busy. In a voice
S of sorrowful recrimination Commits
o sioner Johnson declared that tn
S commission had been asleep at tn
switch. But they are going after i
busily now, and n may expect grea
F; disturbances along the whole front
The commission promised to Tool
into a petition filed last night TO
e the grading Of Fifth street NV from
Union avenue to the west city limits
Emil Kolashefsky also presented one
and which the commission fear
would involve the building Of
n bridge and the the purchase of
o right-of-way, on Eighth street NV
They'll look it up"
Somebody must have given tn
commissioners a talking-to about tn
proposed dog license-or one OF ther
p has lately acquired or become afflic'
k ed with a canine friend, for they be
gin to think that the license of $
and $40 is exorbitant, $3.50 and :
a too high, and that as the ordinanc
d provides, but with loose dogs bein
licensed and tagged would be abou
right. But they have until the frs
k Of May, and of course plenty Of tim
n -plenty of time.
Representatives OF fire trucks re
ceived no consideration last nigh
Mayor Robertson declares he has hi
o mind made up. and is going to Siou
Falls tomorrow to witness a test 9
a newly acquired truck-before d.
)r Gliding In fact. the meeting SCENE