The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1919-08-16
AFFIDAVIT FILED
FOR A RECALL
ZOE BITTHER ASKS FOR PETITIONS
TO RETIRE MAYOR BRIDGES
TWO CHARGES ARE PREFERRED
That Electric Power Lines are Neg
Iected and That Typheid Germs
are Pumped Into Houses


An AFFIDAVIT was filed on Tuesday
last by Joseph Bittner accusing Mayor
Bridges OF neglecting light wires and
water supply OF the city and asking
the city clerk to furnish the complain
ant with petitions to be circulated
among the voters of the city seeking
for the recall OF Mayor Bridges. The
petitions are now being prepared and
will in all probability be circulated
for signatures next week.
In order 10 cause an election to be
called the petitions must have the
names OF "a voters signed thereto. IL
that number OF qualified voters are
secured for the petition there Is no
alternative for the commission but 10
order an election.
A Liability Question
The accusations made against May
or Bridges are so different from what
are commonly understood to be the
real grounds upon which his recall is
asked that those conyersant with at
fairs are quite surprised. The hrst
charge Is that Mayor Bridges neglect
fully. and OF course knowingly, al
lows primary current TO be run direct
10 the lights OF consumers, the infer
ence being that the property and the
lives OF the people OF the city are thus
endangered. The second charge is
that Mayor Bridges neglectfully.
which OF course means knowingly Is
allowing the city water plant to pump
typhoid gerIJs into the homes OF the
water users.
The petition whicn will be issued
will be circulated and the general
public asked 10 sign TO these accusa-
tions so that each signer OF the peti-
ton becomes in fact one who accuses
the mayor OF doing these things.
Some OF our legal fraternity are OF
the opinion that II these charges are
proved to be untrue that everyone who
signs that petition and makes such
accusation is liable to a damage suit
by the mayor II he should choose to
bring any civil action.
The fact that there hasn't been any
typhoid fever in the city seems to be
ample refutation Of the charge that
typhoid germs have been pumped IN
TO the homes.
The charge regarding neglected
conducting wires undoubtedly arises
from the fire at the Williams home.
Mr.. williams made the accusation in
an interview with a reporter for The
Drill. When the city offic-
ials were interviewed at the same
time their side OF the story was that
the yarney residence, In which Mr..
Williams resides had been previously
wired by either Mr. varney or Mr..
williams and that instead OF the fire
ersuiting from primary current being
sent TO the switch It was caused by
amateurish and imperfect wiring with
which the city had nothing 70 do.
These are the contending stores and
~he Diamond Drill Is printing them
without prejudice TO either side that
our citizens may know both sides TO
the controversy.
Ana. The Diamond Drill takes this
opportunity to announce that should
this recall election be carried TO an
Issue. this paper will make an endeay-
or to fairly and fully publish both
sides 20 this controversy that our
electors may have an opportunity to
Judge OF the case on It's merits after
hearing all sides and viewing every
card on top Of the table with all faces
up.