The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-02-12
COMMISSION MEETS
THREATENED WITH TRAVELOGS
THEY ANXIOUSLY WATCH
THE CLOCK.

the city hall, stood rather aghast last
night at the announced probability of
A. @. Schmidt being absent for a Pc
riod of approximately three months.
They cast about carefully for some
one upon whom to impose his portion
of the work, but with only Indifferent
success. There seemed to be no COM
missioner anxious to acquaint him
self with the duties of the missing
member.
The treasurer's report, laid over
from the previous meeting, was read
and approved. The money for the
Dobson & Meeker suit was paid from
the sewer fund, leaving that account
wan and pale. An accumulation of
$1,475.97 in the sinking fund was or
dered transferred into a certificate
of deposit or other interest bearing
security. T. A. Johnson was charged
with the performance of certain du-
ties in regard to the city accounts,
and became exasperated rel the IKE
cution of certain memoranda and
lines to be drawn.
Mayor Robertson announced that
his trip to Minneapolis had left his
conception of the fire truck problem
possible of two solutions. He did
not either of the solutions,
but seemed to hug the knowledge to
himself with great satisfaction. Nor
ris Laughlin appeared in the inter-
ests Of the Maxwell chassis, equipped
with Northern Fire Apparatus COM
pany fire apparatus. The detail of
its merits adds little to the sum total
OF the knowledge of fire fighting ma
chinery. There was one attractive
feature, however, the auxiliary pump
on a trailer, which could be left at
the nearest hydrant to add force to
the city pressure. Otherwise the city
fathers did not evince any evidence
of being especially impressed. They
desire to wait. There's going to be
a test of certain apparatus at Sioux
Falls sometime in the future. and
they want to see that exhibition be-
fore even beginning TO make up their
minds as to the kind of machine they
will get.
E. L. Kingsley showed up with a
great racket, in support of his candi-
dacy for appointment as city assessor.
He had made no formal application
for the place, and the commissioners
induced him to write one on the back
of a city claim blank. The actual APP
pointment was put over until some
future meeting. There was evidently
an understanding between Mr.. King
tsley and the commission, for there
was no inquiry as to the price Of the
job, or even whether it would be al
the same price as ii was last year.
or any discussion whatever. And to
a man in the road it looks like King
sley for assessor.
The commissioners banker after
more money from the city dog tax OF
license. They consider that there are
too many dogs, that they eat toe
much and tip over too many garbage
cans, and that the owners are getting
away too cheaply with the present
rate of tax. They desire the city Ii
cense to be SIS and $40 for the two
denominations" of dogs. Attention
was called to the fact that the pres.
ent tax law was not enforced, and
that the assessor could not find any.
body in town who had a dog, anyway
lin the whole city last year there
were about 40 listed for taxes, and
there is evidence Of at least a thou
sand dogs in the city. The effect o.
q higher rate, in the form of a IL
cense. and enforced, will have the eff
feet of reducing the number of dogs
especially IL the executive force i!
empowered to impose the suprem,
penalty upon the untagged animals
The legal aspects of the matter were
referred to City Attorney G. ]. Porter
who will advise upon an amended
ordinance.
The consideration of street guide
signs n names received the usua'
disposition. and will be further con,
sidered at some future meeting.
One Of the commission came into
possession of a series of pictures OF
a machine which rotates from the
force of the water at the end of and
through a hose, designed for thrust
ing through a sewer to the end thai
it be thoroughly cleaned, and said
commissioner showed It proudly. and
opined that sooner or later this city
would need one of the things. 1t is
a turbine at the end OF a hose. drawn
through the sewer, actuated by the
water through q fire hose, and drawn
forward by a rope through another
manhole. The apparatus will I'm.
doubleday furnish the commissioners
a theme for the disposition of many
a tedious hour, and the collection OF
q fine lot Of pictures.
It was thought that it was tiIe for
the streets to be flushed. No actual
order was issued for the beginning OF
the work, but it was the sentiment OF
the commissioners that IL should be