The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1919-03-04
Member Of the Associated Press
TUESDAY. MARCH 4, 1919
MIR. GRoEsBECK RETIREs

In surrendering the Office of city
attorney to his successor, r. c.
Groesbeck has laid down a burden
he has carried for four years with the
consciousness that he has acquitted
himself of the duties of that position
in n manner that reflects great credit
for his fidelity to duty and watchful-
ness for the welfare of the city. Dur
ing his term of Office many important
and vexations questions have been be-
fore him. and each has received the
attention they merited, and it would
not be amiss to review some of the
important issues he has disposed of.
Just as he entered upon the duties
of his Office the city had settled a
judgment of $4,000 that had been Sc.
cured against it in damage SUIT,
This was disposed of by the payment
of $4,000. This suit was followed by
two others--that by Mrs. DELAY for
$1,000 for injuries received, and one
entitled Marble VS.. klamath Falls for
damage to property involving $4,000.
These Mr.. Groesbeck had to look after
on behalf of the city, and won in
both cases. The mere recital of these
cases does not convey to the lay mind
the amount of work necessary to de-
fend them. II the city had to EN-
ploy counsel especially to handle
either or both of these cases, it would
have had to pay considerably more
than the salary paid for an entire
year to it's attorney, and in this
great injustice and hardship is placed
on any lawyer that honestly dis
charges the duties of the Office.
Following these cases came the ap-
plication for the reduction of the light
and water rates in the city. In this in
stance, which is the only one stamped
with failure, Mr.. Groesbeck lost, but
he has as a consolation the fact that
every other city and town in the
state, whose cases were heard at the
same time, shared like fate. The
fact that the Caiifornia-Oregon Pow
er company was powerful enough to
swing the commission was no fault
of MIR. Groesbeck. 1t only indicated
the perfection of the grip this COM
pany has upon the machinery of the
state.
The next important matter that he
disposed of was the Ankeny canal.
Fer years this had been a bone of
contention between the city, the gov
ernment and the Water Users. With !
the assistance of Mr.. Mason, who was /
then mayor and who should receive
unstinted praise and gratitude for
the work he did in this important
matter, Mr.. Groesbeck finally put
through the various legal details that
for all time rid the city of this men
ace to public health.
In addition to these, which of them
selves WOuIu TepTtStHt SeaiS " IhS
less labor, he put through the legal
details incident to the paving of the
Shippington road, Eleventh street,
the municipal railroad and the fran
chise that was granted the Keno
Power company. Each of these called
for a task that was monumental, yet
each was disposed of successfully for
the city.
Two important suits started dur
ing his administration will be handed
over to his successor-one to recover
on the $1,000 hond of the klamath
Canal company; the other to recover
the streets ceded to that company,
and which rights were acquired by
the government when it took over the
assets of that corporation. Both
these suits are well on their way to
trial. In fact, one is now ready for
rial. and the other is before the
courts on demurrer proceedings.
In addition to all Of this work, Mr..
Croesbeck performed another task
hat is almost invaluable to the city
he codification OF the ordinances of