The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-03-17

the order of the court. We could
see no escape from either levying
the amount of the tax upon the pro-
perty, or paying the amount the
contractors agreed to accept out of
the general fund. The first alterna-
tive was not open to us because the
mayor had already levied $3.50 and
the city could not levy any more. It's
power to make any other levy had
been exhausted. The only thing
left for us to do, was to report back
to the council recommending that the
offer of the contractors to take 5000
from the city and $3.50 from the lot
owners, which was assessed. This
report is in writing and after a
good deal of discussion on the ques-
ton, in which most of the aldermen
took part, they all agreed, except,
Aldermen Bryan and Thompson that
it would save the city good deal OF
money to accept this proposition, in
view of the fact that the city would
save nearly 100000 by accepting
500 an dthe acting City Attorney
said it would cost around 100000 to
appeal the case to the Supreme
Court, with a very slim chance of
being successfully. So it was moved
by Alderman Gray and seconded by
Alderman Olson that the committees
report be adopted, and that the 5000
be paid the contractors. All alder
men voted in favor of this except
Aldermen Bryan and Thompson.
The above are all of the fact, which
can be verified by anyone examining
the records in the Office of the Clerk
of Circuit Court and in the Office of
the City Clerk.
In conclusion of this communica-
ton to you, permit me to say that
during all of those years of my par
ticipation in public affairs, it has
been my intention, and l have to the
best of my ability, tried to serve
the taxpayers and the interest of
the dity co1scientiously. During
the last two years of which | have
participated in the city administra-
ton, / have frequently recommended
that more economy should be prac-
tced in the handling of city affairs.
/ voted for the councils recommen-
dation to the school board to be as
economical as would be consistent
with the best interest of our schools.
/ have voted, and it is my honest
opinion that we should buy the two
public utilities within the city,.
namely the Washburn Water Works
and Washburn Light and Power
Company. The Washburn Water
Works Company has appealed to the
State Railroad Commission for an
increase of $3.50 above the already
exhorbitant rates that we are pay
ing now.
In fact, I have always stood for
the mayor when he IS right, to the
best of my judgment, but | will just
as strongly oppose him when he is
in the wrong. When he let's per-
sonal grievances dominate his ac-
lions in the matter of vital interest
to our city.
In regard to the mayors attack
on the business men of the city and
the Commercial Club in particular,
| have this to say; that in my best
Judgment, the attack is entirely un-
warranted. The business men in
our city will average up with the
business men in our surrounding
cities. A few old citizens will
remember that we have lost great
many enterprises of vital interest to
the future good of our community
through political demagogues and
misrepresentation to the public, and
chasing political rainbows. You
will remember that we lost some big
enterprises that we may have had
for years, if it had not been our own
fault of siding in with political
office seekers. We are today on the
manufacturers black list because we
do not handle them right, or take
care of them as they do in other
communities.
And when the mayor is endeavor-
ing to lay all of these things to the
merchants and the Commercial Club