The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-01-08
LOCAL LEGISLATION
Meeting of the City Council Last
Night was Attended by Many
Interested Citizens


at the council rooms last evening, as
iC was thought that there would be
some kind of "doings" that would let
the citizens know Just where they
stood in regard to the now (in) famous
oil engine at the electric light plant.
another drawing card was the ap-
pearance OF number OF users of cleo
TIC power, who presented TO the
council their complaints OF the pres
ent power rate.
Inc De La Vergne engine concern
was represented Dy one of the ONO
ers of the company, Mr. barron, VINO
| stated that he had come TO Ocaia TO
ADJUST matters between his company
and the city, ana wanted to know OF
Cne council why matters had not been
settled before this. Mr. barron was
accompanied by the assistant chief
engineer and the directing engineer
OF his company, besides Contractor
Thompson and Mr.. r. A. Burford, mis-
attorney. As the discussion of this
matter would probably have kept the
cided to hold an adjourned session for
this purpose this "wednesday aft
ernoon at the council chamber at 3
o'clock. In this connection it was
deemed best by the council that men,
bers of the former council who had
placed the contracts for the new elec-
trio light and water plant be invited
TO be present at this afternoons
meeting, and the clerk was instruct
ed to see that they were notified of
the meeting with request that they
be on hand.
The power users were assured that
their grievances would be looked into
and taken under constellation, and a
special committee consisting of Aid
ermen Thomas, Osborne and Goldman
was appointed to make investigation
and report at the next regular meet
ing. The power users were ably rep
resented in placing their case before
the council by Mr.. d. S. Welch of the
Welch- Todd Lumber CO.. and Mr..
Charles p. ChaZal of the Louis r.
Chazal & Sons Company. They stat
ed that the rate charged them during
the past month would make the use
of electric power prohibitive and force
the use of steam and gasoline. The
members of the council seemed i'm
pressed with the statements made by
these gentlemen and the Importance
of making a rate that could be utiliz-
ed by the manufacturing industries OF
the city -and no doubt some way will
be devised which will give the relief
asked for by power users at an early
date.
DIR. Cox, state health officer, who
was scheduled to be present at the
council meeting, did not appear, but
DR.. E. Van Hood and DIR. Dame ap-
geared and stated the intentions of
the state board of health in regard to
opening branch of the state labora-
tories in Ocala some time during Feb
ruary. The state board proposed to
open a laboratory for diagnosing and
treating patients afflicted with hook
worm. Examinations will be made
free, and the exact dates when the
laboratory will be open will be an
nounced later. 1t is the purpose of the
state board to have patients of Mar
ion and several adjoining counties ap-
pear in this city for examination and
treatment The clerk was instructed
to notify the state authorities that
the council stood ready to assist in
every manner possible in the propos-
ed work and would furnish proper
quarters for the laboratory.
A special committee consisting of
Mayor Chace and Aldermen McIver
and Thomas was appointed to consult
with the board of county commits
sioners at its meeting today in regard
to the opening of the road material
pits just west of the city.
Complaints were made that the
night trains were not being met my
the licensed hackmen, and the travel
| ing public is forced to walk to desti-
nation upon arrival. This matter was
referred to Alderman Winer with
the suggestion that licenses be with
drawn from those who fail TO attend
to the duties prescribed by the city
and upon which the privileges are
granted.
Permission was granted Mr.. Mack
Taylor to erect filling station at the
corner of Washington and North Main
streets
! A report from the bond trustees
showing cancellation of a number of
bonds was received and approved.
1t developed during the meeting
that the city's finances are very low
on account of the taxes coming IN
slowly. The tax books have been open
for several months, but it seems that
all are waiting for the eleventh
hour" to pay up. 1t was ordered that
the books close on January 31st, and
all taxes not in by that time will be
considered delinquent, and additional
costs will be added. The tax collec-
tor was ordered to advertise this SO
that taxpayers may avoid the added