Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-09-19

In ~ NC S
terday afternoon was far greater than
at the commissioners meeting of the
previous week. There were not nearly
enough seats to accommodate all who
attended; and a number of persons
were compelled to stand during the
whole of the session, which lasted
nearly two hours. Some blocked the
doorway and others peered over the
shoulders Of these, in an effort to get a
glimpse of the commissioners and to
catch come knowledge of the proceed
ings. Three men sat on the reporters
table, and one Of the reporters was
crowded out Of his place-foreed back
from his rightful position and almost
stifled. "Here's a state of things!"
Before the people of Wildwood will
sanction a proposition to move the
boardwalk, they will demand ar en-
largement of city hall.
1t is a healthful, hopeful sign to OBJ
serve this awakening of public senti-
ment-of civic pride, and to see the
citizens thronging the legislative cham
bers and demanding that their voices
be heard in the direction of civic affairs.
And it Is encouraging also, to note
how much the women OF Wild wood
are awakening to a sense OF their inn
p%ortance and duties. Mrs. Thomas
Martindale and Mrs. George D.. Wood
ward, ex-presideut of the Civic club;
walked quietly into the meeting yes
terday, and ready hands soon provided
them with chairs. Because of their
presence, it was easy to note a calmer
and more orderly degree of procedure.
1t was exactly 2.11 o'clock when
Commissioner Ryan requested Ike
Robinson to get up and pull the chain
SO as to ''get some light" Mr.. Robin
son did as he was requested and soon
the upper lights were burning" and
flooding the chamber with their mel
lowing rays, when the city clerk
began the reading of the minutes OF
the two meetings of last-of the "regu-
lar" and the Especial" She showed
slight traces of embarrassment at first,
because of the presence of such an I'M
usual number of visitors, but she was
soon herself again and at 2.1S had
completed her task.
The financial report for the week
ending September 18th, was next read,
and the collection of $4,35l 66 reported
from taxes and assessments; collections
il the water department for the same
week were only $285.67. Twenty-Five
more "oft-service" requests by consum-
ers were complied with last week by
the superin tendent of the city water
department.
Charles Nickerson, chief of the
Wildwood Fire department, prompted
by the Lessons furnished by the latest
fire, asked for the purchase of an ad-
ditional engine. That it is needed DO
one will seriously dispute. He also re-
ferred to the shaky and unsafe condi-
ton of the first ward fire house and
urged immediate acti n. So forceful
and convincing were his statements,
that q resolution was at once passed,
authorizing the expenditure of $4,000 for
the purpose. Ten bonds of $500 each,
dated September 18th, 1919, are to be
issued and to bear interest at the rate
of six per cent per annum. These
bonds are to be marketed to the beat
possible bidder or bidders. The first
story or basement of the first ward fire
house is to be of brick, thus giving the
building a solid foundation to rest
upon.
Street Commissioner Hendee an
nounced that a complete set of plans
had been received by mail from City
Engineer Weir, relative to a system OF
storm sewers and surface drainage.
He is trying to devise ways and means
Of getting the rivers off u streets and
the lakes off our western tracts.
Solicitor Hand was asked to attend
the next meeting of the City Council
of North wildwood on Tuesday eve
ming. October I'd, to ascertain If some
satisfactory understanding may not be
arrived at by the two cities, conformity
to overcome the periodical flooding OF
Park avenue and adjacent streets from
the overflow of the sounds at 26th
street, being the line Of demarcstion Of
the two municipalit' es. The building
of a wall or dyke at this point, has
been frequently spoken OF.
A bill for $S1, to cover damages to
furniture and rugs, was presented to
the commissioners yesterday by the
city clerk, the same having been re.
ceived by mail. When several of the