South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-04
BLAME STATE
TAX LAW FOR
EMPTY PURSE
Bond Issue Needed TO Extend
Water Mains. Postpone
Jitney Ordinance.

Gov. James Goodrich and his state
board Of tax commissioners were
blamed for the fact that South
Bends water works is practically
broke" by memb bers Of the council
Monday night in the discussion Of
the proposed ordinance providing for
a $500. 600 bond issue TO take caro-
OF water works finances during the
present year.
Maurice Nennett, chairman OF the
committee Of the whole. asserted
that the cut Of about $500. 600 from
the budget proposed by the Carson
administration was directly respOn-
sible for the present emptiness o.
the city's Golfers.
In spite of assertions by John
DeHaven, representing the board or
public works. 10 the effect that no
extensions of water mains TO aid
the growth Of the city could be
made unless the bond issue was
passed, the council refused TO report
favorably on the ordinance, Coun-
climen Vennett, Bailey, Kuss and
Wisniewski voting against adoption.
Councilmen Luther and Oleiniczak
refused TO vote.
Cannot Afford.
The attitude Of the councilmen|
opposed to passage of the ordinance
was that the city could not afford
to spend such a large sum of money
at this time. Several councilmen
questioned Mr.. DeHaven and John
A. Swygart. city controller, as to
what the money was to be used for
Mr.. DeHaven explained that about
100000 was needed 10 pay back
money borrowed from the over
worked track separation fund. and
he rest was badly needed for inn
provements 10 the two city pumping
stations, the drilling of test wells IN
TIE south part OF the city, extern
sion of water mains in all parts of
the city, and the building OF a
.runk- main TO the southern part of
the city to make possible the home
building programs Of the Studebaker
Corp. and the Oliver Chilled Plow
company.
Delay Jitney Case.
The proposed jitney bus ordinance
was also held over for two weeks
to give the cOuncilmen time 10 study
the proposed measure and to allow
representatives of several civic or
ganizations said TO be back Of the
ordinance 10 appear before the
council.
The ordinance as drafted would
force many jitney bus drivers out
Of business. according to opponents
OF the measure. It requires a lie
ense fee ranging from $25 for small
er vehicles 10 1925 to the large
3usseS. and also requires each driver
to carry accident indemnity insur
ance.
The feature that is being opposed
most strongly by the jitney bus men
is the clause which would prevent
jitneys from being driven on Wash
ington St, Michigan ST.. +. Jefferson
blvd, y. Hill st, and Lincoln way
west.
EaTors Ordinance.
Maurice Vennett spoke I'm favor OF
The ordinance, although he admitted
that the street car company Will
directly benefit by the ordinance
Taxi cabs and hotel busses are not
included in the ordinance.
Councilman Hagey prevented a
favorable report on the ordinance
approving the contract between the
board of works and the Conley com
many. OF Kalamazoo. for disposal
Of garbage. by the introduction of
data which shows that the kalamO-
zoo firm has offered the city Of To-
ledo $126 a ton for its garbage,
while the offer 20 this city only pro-
vides for a price Of so cents a ton.
He offered data from II or / . cities,
which will be considered at the next
meeting Of the committee of the
whole
Councilman Vennett spoke against
the ordinance for the purchase OF a
motor-drawu street fiusher, on the
grounds that the city treasury is in
such bad shape that he was op
posed to all appropriations for any
cause. The ordinance was held up
for two weeks.