Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-01-06
FINANCIAL PROBLEM 0F CITY HOLDS UP MONEY FOR LIBRARY $75 Appropriation Goes by Boards Because of
 Deficit HOLLIS EXPECTS TO
 FIND A WAY OUT S1SO,000 Outstanding and Past Due Warrants Must be Met; Me- Gibbony Criticizes Street
 Work

The financial condition of the city, with S1SOOOO in outstanding and past due warrants, caused the city council last night to postpone action on an ordinance appropriat- ing $75 month toward the mainte- nance of the Public library.
 Aldermen Vance and McGibbony were for passage of the ordinance immediately even if, to make up the amount, it should be necessary to discharge an employe of some de- apartment
 Aldermen Means, Miller and Clement voiced endorsement of the library work and of their intention to vote for the ordinance, but thought it unwise to place the pro- posed ordinance on third reading in view of Mayor Hollis statement that, under existing conditions and until the financial situation had been relieved, he would veto an ap- propriation for the library or for any | save q puTpOSe dDSOluIely HtCcSSdIy y to carry on the citys affairs.
 In making this statement, the may or explained the city's financial con- dition with regard to the S180,000 past due warrants, and said that a representative of the holders of the warrants would be here this week, and he was confident some way out will be found. With this out of the way, he said, he would be glad to approve an appropriation by the council. The mayor also stated that the people are fully appreciative of the value of the library; that cam paign for funds would be success ful, and that he would be glad to aid in such campaign.
 Criticises Street Work. l Following action placing the pro- posed ordinance on the calendar for future consideration. the councilmen were addressed by ladies of the li- brary association--Mrs. c. w. Pet tigrew, Mrs. H. G. Higinbotham, Mrs. A. H. Dreyfus. Mrs. Lucy Critz and Miss Mabel Blakeslee, who serves as librarian.
 The council adopted an ordinance appropriating $1,2O0 from the street fund to pay employees of the street department, the only negative vote being cast by Alderman McGibbony, who declared "the city is not getting full value for the money by a whole lot;" that everybody is kicking; that the city is spending more than in the past six years, and that results are not apparent. He cited, in retort to protests that he was misinformed, that he had observed about two weeks ago, where three men and a truck were occupied two hours and 23 minutes in loading one pile of dirt. Mayor Hollis, Aldermen Me- Bryde. Means, Miller and Clement took issue with Mir. McGibbony, pointing out that more work is done that is apparent except upon close examinations: that labor costs more !, now than in the past, and MT. Miller recalled that this has been an un- usually wet season, and that the Ar kansas Short Leaf Lumber com pany. with which he is associated, has found it necessary to spend five times as much as it has heretofore in the upkeep of it's log roads. The result of the discussion was the uCCISlOU u nave CHc CIty CICIh lHdIl to each of the aldermen copies of , the daily street work report submit !. ted to the mayor.
 :. Assess Paving Benefit.
 Alderman McBryde reported that arrangements have been made with the gas and water companies to make connections in Olive street be- , fore laying of the new pavement, and thus obviate tearing up the pavement |, in future.
 A contract entered into by the hoard of public affairs with J. S. Currie of the City Scavenger com pany, and the companv's bond. were approved bv the council Under the contract. awarded after adver- tisine. the city receives $175 a month from the scavenger company, which is allowed to charge 70 cents ? month for it's service. This is ar increase to the city of S55 a month and an increase in scavenger charge : of 10 cents month
 An order was adopted assessing benefits in raving district No. 47 comprising Walnut street from Sixth to Ninth. Olive from Ninth to the citv limits. and Tenth. Eleventh Twelfth and Thirteenth. between Ol- i've and Laurel. and an ordinance confirmino assessments in Paving .I district No. A6 also was adopted. | Alderman Vance pointed out the 7 need of repair work in certain sec tions of Nebraska, Utah, Texas and Georgia streets. The matter was referred to the street commissioner
 A number of claims, approved by the finance committee, were allow ed.