The diamond drill., 1921-05-21
cAFFNEr TOssEs GAUNTLET


Il am not going to stand for any
more OF this monkey business said
Mayor James ]. Carney last Weduea-
day an response to query as 10 what
the circulation Of proposed ordi-
nance for initiatory signatures means.
Either the people expect me 70 bring
about change or they don't want anv
change. This proposed ordinance
simply puts up TO the people the ques-
ton OF change or no change. II the
people want such a change they will.
or the majority OF them will. vote
yes; II a majority doesn't want any
change the vote will be No. Either
way will be decisive and there can be
no more questions on either side as
to what the people OF this city really
want"
Asked to explain the effect OF the
adoption Of this ordinance Mr.. Gaffney
said:
The charter Is defective In that no
provision is made for amendments.
Amendments may be made through
the general law but that takes about
four months time.
I'VE have a situation here where
the commission is deadlocked through
the resignation of one member there
OF. am firmly convinced that this
condition was brought about through
the scheming of those interested I'm
perpetuating themselves In office A.
gainst the expressed wishes OF the
people. Whether that Is true or nor.
the condition exists. The cdty's bus
'iness is deadlocked and relief through
charter amendment is not obtain
able.
Commissioner Bjork will not vote
for a member that will follow out the
viii of the people as expressed In the
election last month. cannot vote
for man who refuses TO follow those
election instructions without break
ing faith with the people. Therefor.
In order to get the city's business GO
ing, We must make some move 10
bring about a change. Our oppo-
nents claim that they have this city
tied up for year and that they will
draw a years pay anyway. Let's see
what the people say.
THE charter provides that the COM
mission may abolish the appointive
offices OF city manager, city marshal.
city attorney, health officer. etc. the
charter also provides for initiating OF
ordinances. It's the only way that
a decision OF the people can be got on
any subject excepting at the regular
elections.
II have caused an ordinance TO be
initiated. abolishing the several Offices
FOR the time being. The ordinance al.
SO empowers me as mayor to see that
men are employed to carry on tha
work of the city during the interim
so that the city's business may not
be neglected.
Il feel that, owing TO the hard times
we have with us, we can dispense
With a manager for a time and also
With some OF the other ocfilers who
ire drawing full time pay. Take the
'ity attorney. No doubt we could save
'ery much on that office as we'll as
manager. We need 10 save for ac-
;ording TO budget estimate re-
'eived from the manager last week.
here is going TO be a deficit In city
unds the coming year.
Il propose a nice way TO make up
his deficit--do away with some big
alaries until times pick up.
Now. the commission must, under
he provisions OF the charter, either
'ass or submit this ordinace 10 the
'eople. ] propose TO have an election
n the question next month. II the pao-
DE are with me and carry this ordIn-
nee, then ! will proceed Immediately
0 bring about the changes. n the peo-
lie vote down the ordinance. Will
Interpret II as meaning that they
ont want the present Office holders
r. present conditions disturbed. Tn
hat event I shall cheerfully vote for
ny commissioner that Mr. Biork pro-
oses.
"One thing ! want 20 Impress upon
he minds OF all the voters OF the
ity Is that ths Is not a personal mat
pr with me. am trying to keep
ly promises to the people. When
ave done that ! shall feel perfectly
atished.
II have been warned that this move
cans big fight; that am trying
} be a "Czar," etc, etc. by those who
70 interested IN perpetuating them
lives In Office.
In reply TO this warning OF a fight
want 70 say that this Is not my fight;
3 the peoples fight. Now, let the
'ople show themselves"
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