Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-05-01
BUSY YEAR BEFORE
OTTAWA, IF MAYORS
PLANS CARRY THRU
CITY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN AN
NUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL
OUTLINES WORK OF THE PAST
YEAR AND HIS HOPES FOR THE
FUTURE - BIG IMPROVEMENTS
AHEAD.

A general resume of one OF ne
most strenuous periods in the history
OF any city. from a financial stand
point. was made by Mayor George V.
3. Weeks in his annual report to the
city council at a special session held
yesterday afternoon to mark the
close Of the fiscal municipal year.
The mayor pointed out in his state
ment covering the administrations
york during the twelve months just
ended the many hard tangles which
had to be u%nrayclled by the council
to keep the city's head above water
as Il result OF a shrunken treasury,
due largely to the loss of $1,000 or
more by federal enactment wipinG
ont the saloon and revenues derived
therefrom.
lmprovcme nts, according to the
mayor. virtually stood at a standstill
during l9l9-l920, but hope was held
out that this ~stagnation now is at an
end, and there was an encouraging
outlook ior the coming summer
months, when the city hoped to ac-
complish many important undertake
ings, including large quantities OF
paving. disposition of the Goose Creek
nuisance, a new East Side bridge and
a retaining wall for the South Side
hill.
The mayors report in full:
To the Council OF the City of OF
tawa, Illinois.
Gentlemen.
Il herewith submit to you the fol
low ing as my report for the fiscal
year. 1919 and 1870, said report cover
ing the period from May 9Th, 1919, to
April 10th, 1920. the same being The
first year of the present administers
ton.
Due to decreased revenues and in
Aated and constantly increasing
prices and generally unstable condi.
been a gear of just getting along,
which has been the history of all
American cities.
During this period no additional
revnue to offset the loss Of the use OF
over fifteen thousand dollars in Sa.
loon licenses was obtained. and this
made necessary a larger ONerdratt,
and during that same period prices
OF materials used in city maintenance
have increased the same as those
used by private individuals.
Bill af err bill for Indebtedness that
accrued prior to the taking owe of
Office by the present administration
have been paid, numbers of house lot
sewer connections have been install
ed at city expense. made necessary
by defaulting contractors; necessary
and expensive repairs have been made
at the pumping station, and the usual
rel air work on streets and bridges
has been maintained. and the city
closes it books on April Goth. 1870,
showing "A balance on hand of
&,713.19.
The police force has been reduced
two men, which is a material saving.
and possible further reductions in this
and other departments can be made
in the future.
public Improvement work has
been at a standstill. but much work
of his nature is now being brought to
a head, the paving projects for North,
South and East Ottawa. depending
largely on economic conditions. and
The Improvement of Goose Creek. the
South Side hill, and the new bridge
over the Fox river at Main street. de-
pending wholly upon the will of the
majority of the voting population of
the city.
The department of public affairs.
which includes public Improvements
and the law department, the appoint
ment and supervision Of the hospital.
library and park boards, is ul,der my
direct supervision as mayor,
AS stated, much public improve
ment work is now under Roadway and
I trust hat conditions may permit its
completion.
One suit was brought against the
city during the past year, that OF w.
G. Cunningham for personal injuries,
the alleged injury taking place prior
to the time this administration en-
tered Office.
Two suits against the city. thos"
of G.. G. DEEMS and Frank Dushant,
both having been started prior to the
time this administration entered OF.
hce. have been tried. DEEMS received
a judgment for fifteen hundred dol
lars. which judgment ii the city pays
SHOULD be recovered with costs and
expenses by the city from the sewer
contractor, Green, and his bondsmen
Dushane received a verdict for nine.
teen hundred dollars. and if a new
trial is not granted and Judgment Is
entered on the verdict an appeal will
be taken by the city.
Both Of these suits involved a large
amount of money. and were prose
C)Ited by able lawyers. and large judg-
ments meant possible great financial
loss to he cit. and no reasonable set
tlemCnt could be Obtained, and the
council including myself. felt We
would be derelict in oar duty if We
did not employ an able trial lawyer TO
cooperate in the defense OF the city.
and the services of Mr.. Conway was
obtained, and both matters We're han.
died in Il skilltul and able manner,
and at an extremely reasonable fee,
and the result has at least appraised
people that waeic the city feels that
it is not legally liable, or. if liable.
the demands are unreasonable, that
the best fight possible will be made.
The financial statements of the
hospital, library and park boards
show careful management, and most
OF The members of these boards take
interest in their work and as they
serve without compensation. | wish