Smyrna times., 1921-03-30
POLICEMAN LEE R. COCHRAN
TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION
WANTS TO GIVE UP HIS JOB AS
CHIEF OF POLICE ON JUNE 1
Smyrna Town Council In Regular Ses-
sion 'WithhOlds Action Until Full
Board Is Present-NOtes.


At the regular meeting of SMYRNA
Town Council Friday evening, Lee R.
Cochran rendered his resignation as
chief of police of the town of Smyrna,
to take effect June 1st next. The news
came as no surprise. For some time
Council has shown an attitude of dis
satisfaction over the chief not living
up to the duties laid before him, and
in not being on the job within the
hours prescribed and taking care of
the alderman's office and cells as he
should. Ever since the new Council
took hold there have been mutterings
of change but no definite steps had
been taken. The matter of acting up
on Mr.. Cochran's resignation was held
over until all the members were pres
ent 1t may be that Council would like
to terminate Mr.. Cochran's duties on
May the first, the time the dog ordi-
nance is put into effect. Chief Coch-
ran will not catch and impound dogs.
He never has done it to any extent in
| Smyrna and does not care to do it
| this time. Council would like to have
an officer who would enforce this and
all ordinances of the town as we'll as
to devote some of his time in doing
other work. Now that dog tax will
be required and owners of good dogs
will be registered, some members of
Council feel that a policeman can look
after the "stray" or unclaimed dogs
without being subject to the bitter at
tacks and denunciations he received
under the old muzzle law.
Bare Quorum of Council was Present.
In the absence of President L M.
Price and Councilman John E Wilson,
who were needed in their seats in the
closing hours of the Legislature, and
in the absence of Councilman Samuel
A. Fortner, only four members were
present. R. Y. Wallen was assigned
to the chair and E. 7. Porter, w. F
Keith and William R. Davis, were
present. After receiving the resigna-
tion of Chief Lee r. Cochran, and lay
ing it on the table, Mr.. Keith moved
that Council purchase 200 dog license
tags and dog license book from the
Sarco Company, of Trenton, N. j.
who submitted samples and estimates
For every dog registered, tag viii
be handed the owner to have placed
on the dogs collar.
Financial Budget For Year Gone Ovel
Mr.. Wallen, chairman of the Fl
nance Committee, reported he haC
gone over the financial budget for th'
coming year and finding no materia
reduction in town supplies and no low
| ering of wages, and with coal practi
, cally as high as the preceding year
he could not see but that the receipt
would fall about $4,000 short of pay
| ing interest on the bonded indebted
; ness and the operating expenses
Council gave more or less discussion
5 to this phase of the financial question
I and some saw no way out of it bu
( to raise the light rates from IL to
1 cents per k. w, the same as now be
: ing charged. in Dover. The tax rat
4 has been raised to the limit and waite
4 and sewer are about standing abou
all they should. 1t was decided t
leave this question until a full boar
> can act on it. On motion of Mr. Keit
Council adjourned to meet Monda
evening, but the weather bein
D stormy a quorum was lacking and n
further meeting is scheduled unles
+ the President calls one.