Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-02-18
City Hall Doings
Continued from psge l

is proposed by the commissioners, from
S25 to $50 On the strength OF this OBJ
lection a motion was passed TO postpone
for n week the introduction OF this
proposed ordinance. looking to its
amendment to meet the approval OF
the commissioners
Three resolutions were now passed in
swift succession: The first one fixed the
rate of interest to be charged in 1921
for n~on-psyment of taxes or assess
ments on or before the date when the
same would become delinquent at Z per
cent. per annum
The second fixed at the rate Of one
half of one per cent. per month the
amour of discount to be allowed for
payment Of taxes or assessments pre-
vious 10 the date on Which same would
become delinquent during the year
1921.
The third resolution authorized the
purchase by the city from the Wild
wood Bungalow Company of lot No.
%, in block No. q, for sew purposes.
The price agreed upon was $3.50. This
lot is located near Sunset Lake, at the
extremity of west Pine avenue. Its
purchase is said to have heen necessary
in order to obtain a ever outlet into
said lake.
The course of Gilbert H. Baker in
asking for the dismissal of his appeal
10 the Court of Errors and Appeals has
been severely criticised by his fellow
members of the Wildwood Progressive
Association, many Of whom, 1t Is
alleged, consider such action as a be-
trayal of their common rights and in
terests. "Never fear me, " he is reported
to have said when he was admonished
TO stand firm in the common cause.
The failure OF Baker to stand firm has
resulted in placing the status of the
b 1ardwslk ordinance, No. 81, where
the Supreme Court fixed it at the Feb
ruary term, 1920, in its decision of the
case, on certiorari, of the case of Gilbert
II. Baker VS.. the City of Wildwood,
attacking the validity of said ordinance.
According to that decision 1t was held:
That 1--WE (meaning the Justices Of the
Supreme Court are unable to perceive
any legal improperly on part of the
city to raise the money to build this
boardwalk, and TO acquire right of
way to construct IL by con-
domination after the money is
.aH-AH Tf fha cfafa hoa m TnfnraCf
in the land to be taken it will uuboubt-
eddy protect its right or give its consent
TO the use to be made thereof by the
municipality. If there be private
ownership, it may be acquired by pur-
chase or condemnation"
Bakers weakening seemed to afford
eminent satisfaction to the W. majority
commissioners, who pretended to get
busy at once, and caused to be pas ed h
by q two to one vote a motion instruct
ing the city solicitor to prepare an
advertisement calling for bids to con-
struct the new proposed board walk,
These bids are returnable Tuesday,
March 9th. A certified check in the
sum Of 81 1000 must accompany each
proposal. Before advertising for bids,
the logical method OF procedure would
appear to have beeo, according to
suggestion made by the Supreme Court,
to first obtain right OF way. But what's
the use? Blunder on, poor city, blum !
der on
Commissioners Bright and Smith last
week had requested the city solicitor to ]
report at this weeks meeting in regard
to what steps must be taken to bring
about a referendum vote to let the Z
voters of Wildwood express their senti-
ments relative to the purchase by the
city Of the wildwood Gas Company's
plant, franchise and ap-purtenances. ]
The solicitor, accordingly, last Tuesday
ex Explained the modus operandi as set I
forth in the present system Of laws {
pertaining to municipalities struggling I
along under commission forms Of gov
eminent. The solicitor further stated, I
however, hat there may nave been
some recent legislation on the subject; I
hence, before he could render positive
and final advice on the ways and means .
to q referendum, Mr. Hand asked that
he be given time to look over the codi-
fed records OF legislation to date. His
further efforts in this direction may not
be necessary, however. City Treasurer
Kay once more came tothe city'srescue,
and Informed the majority commission
ers that the city could not buy the gas
plant if it wanted to, for the good aud
sufficient reason that the city has not
the borrowing capacity to do go
About 5000, 0O0,i" he said, sis all that
the law would permit Wildwood to
borrow for the purpose of taking over