The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-07-17
CITY COUNCIL
HOLDS SESSION
Many Routine Matters Are Civ
1 en- Consideration
MANAGER STILLWELL
MAKES RECOMMENDATION
Will Improve the Fire Appara-
tuS and Motorize the Street
Cleaning Department

AL melting Of council held Tuesday
evening Mayor Jennings and Council
man Raffield were present, the other
member Of council, Mr.. McCollum be-
ing absent. The minutes Of June %,
%, July and 3 were read and ap-
proved.
The matter Of a license for dispoSing
of farm produce was presented to
council and it was deQftied that no Ii
cense would be necessary for parties
diSposing of such farm produce as was
actually raised by them.
Mr.. L. a. Ryttenberg also appeared
in reference TO his claim against the
city for $3.50 for services rendered
and S34 actual expenses incurred by
him on trip to Atlanta, Ga, in CON
nection with the coal shortage which
was relieved to some extent by Mr,
Ryttenbergs efforts to obtain coal,
and after some discussion as the valid
ity of such claims, they were allowed
and ordered paid.
The question of a license for the op-
Grafton of an Auto Wash Rack was
discussed and conclusions were that
such license could be secured by pay
ing $500 for the balance of the year
1920, after which ordinance to cover
such racks would be passed by council
A letter from the Metropolitan Life
insurance Co, requesting council to
remit the penalty for delayed payment
of license for the year 1920, setting
forth their specific reasons for such
request, was read and denied by eoun-
ell, the penalty being ordered paid by
them.
Bill of Mcclellan & Palmer for $50
for services rendered in connection
with survey of property within the
city limits was ordered paid.
Contract with the Postal Telegraph
Gable Co, for pole license in favor of
the C'ty Of Sumter covering 9S attach
ments to rs Of their poles was signed
by the Mayor and Councilman Raj
field.
June invoice of Tucker and Laxton
amounting to S11, ,999.2O covering a
part of the construction cost of the
new power house was ordered paid as
soon as funds were available.
The invoice of Alphonse Custodis for
81 4l4.S6 for balance of wark done in
connection with the erection, of the
chimney was also ordered paid as soon
as funds were available.
The City Manager Mr.. Howard
Stillwell, then presented for councils
attention, the following matters of
great Importance in connection with
the operation Of departments under his
management with view to increasing
their efficiency and at the same time
reucing the cost of maintainance and
operation.
First, to secure a suitable motor
truck for the fire department to re-
place the present Ford truck now in
use, it being inadequate for the pur-
pose, as well as being in an unservice-
able condition. 1t was pointed out
that the old truck could be satisfactor-
ily repaired and used on other work.
Council authorized the City Manager
to obtain prices for this such new
truck. and make further report re-
garding the approximate cost.
IT is the purpose Of the City Mana
ger to redesign the present sanitary
wagon so that it can be more readily
loaded and unloaded
In reference to motorization of the
street departm ent Mr. Stillwell en-
tefed INTO an exhaustive explanation
as 70 the present inefficiency and cost
OF this department, showing council
wherein it was his purpose by the use
OF: motor driven trucks, which would
replace mule service as well as de-
crease the number of men now en-
ployed, cutting the cost of this depart
ment, which is now running around
9ZVoV Il month, to approximately
$1,000 per month or even less with a
great saving of time in Creration. and
increasing the efficiency in the work
OF garbage disposal. The suggestion
was favorably received by council
and Mr.. Stilwell authorized to inves-
ugate the different makes Of l-2 ton
trucks which would be best suited for
such purposes, and also to ascertain
the cost per truck and the terms upon
which they could be purchased. and
report fully at the next meeting.
The matter Of parking cars on
main street east and west Liberty
and east and west Hampton was also
discussed by Mr.. Stiliwell. showing
that the public was not supporting
the eHorts of the city to reduce the
poSslplllty of accident, nor using
proper discretion as to the manner
OF parking cars on these streets. In
manay instances cars are parked in
such way that they consume as
much space as possibly two or even I
three cars would use If properly (
parked. The chief Of police was in /
''ructed to watch the matter of |
parking cars and other vehicles on |
the streets named. and to cali the at /
tention of drivers or owners to the |
proper method of parking. 1t was
suggested by Mr.. Stillwell that the /
streets be further marked out SO as /
to give cars individual parking space.
but this matter was deferred until af- /
ter the police department had had ,
SUFFICIENT opportunity to instruct the
public along this line.
The matter of repairs To the Opel~
House was also discussed With \ vinN.