Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-29
City Politics.
Take Rootin.
.PubIic's Talk

Who will be Salem's next
mayor? That question is fire.
quently recurring these days. as
the time for candidacy an
nouncements draws near, it be-
ing evident that Salem citizens
are interesting themselves in
available timber for the mayor
ship, chief of police and alder
manic jobs.
Those who sit in high places
Tor nearby profess to have in
formation that Otto J. Wilson,
|Salem's present mayor, would
not have to be coaxed very hard
in order to throw his hat into
the ring for a second term. Sew
eral candidates whose names
have been mentioned for the job
appear to be fearful of getting
into the limelight unless the
lpresent incumbent announces
that the mayorship interests
him no more.
Halvorsen Mentioned
The friends of other possible candl-
dates are less careful Of offending
the present incumbent and are talk
ing of much needed change of city
administration. Perhaps the most
mentioned mayoralty possibility is
George E. Halvorsen, president of this
Marion Auto Company. Ralph
Thompson, business associate of Hal,
vorsen. says that if George" will on
ly get into the fight there will be fea.
and trembling in the camp of the
enemy
Mr.. Halvorsen returned from "Y''
service in France with an enviable
record for efficiency and accomplish
ment as transportation chief of the
motor transport division CT the Young
Mems Christian Association. Halvor-
sens friends contend that the quail
tiles that brought the automobile man
to the fore in this and other enter.
prises N which he is interested, would
serve the city Of Salem Ii. the period
of growth and development before 1t.
Utter May Run
DR.. f. l.. Utter, who ,nade many
friends (and a few enemies) in his
fight for better police pay and work
ling hours Is also being named by thC
political Dame Grundys pr. Utter, as
chairman of the police committee
AROUSED the ire of the reactionary ma
jority in the council because of his
efforts to strengthen the police force
and was recently relegated to the
lights and parks committee. The mi
nority progressive faction in the cou,
Gil was represented by Councilmer
Utter, Halvorsen, Scott, Vandercor
and Weist.
For Chief of police, several namei
have been slated in addition to, tn
possible condidacy of j. I. Welsh
who is filling out the term of offic'
vacated by former chief Percy NJ
Varney. Two other members OF tn
present force are regdyded as stronI
candidates for the job. A. l.. Morelocii
: member OF the force for several year
: and a former guard at the peniten
, ,tiary is regarded by many as beirl
eminently fitted for the lob. Offic'
! Morelock was recently the recipien
of a testimonial from the prisoners q
the state prison for his efforts bring
ing relief to prisoners during an ep'
> demic of the flu while he was emplo
! ed at that institution.
Chiefs job Eyed
Traffic officer v. M.Moffitt' form
S er overseas man. is expected to rene'
$ his fight for the chiefship when IT,
: matter goes to the people In NoyeE'
l. her. Officer Moffitt has acquired
:. reputatlon for reliability and intereS
: In the work, that has made man
$ friends for him during his conne'
= tion with the force. Whether or nc
n anv of these candidates are actual az
r nirants for the offices named Is con
= iectural but the declarations OF can
o didacy which must be filed soon ~
It expected to carry a few OF thes
st names as possible entrants into IN
l. contests for the various 6iilces.
II AT the present time the gosslps az
a apparestly not concerned with IN
.e outcome OF the councilmanic hgn
n The next city election, which Occur
November 2, will find all but three
* salen's city fathers up for reeleeti'
o orels e making way for newer tinps
councilmen whose jobs hold over IN IN
nj year are Utter. McClelland and MOOT