Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-07-26
WATER famine FACES MARTINSBURG II.
RESIDENTS DO NOT ECONOMIzE- blue
LAWS" ALSO DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL
Garbage Contract Awarded To A. S. Burkhar Who viii Re-
move Same At Nght-Punch Boards Liable To Heavy
TaX-City Fathers Have Business Session Monday.

CITY water they Will face a serious
water famine in August. This warn
ing was served upon the city coun-
Gil at special meeting held Mon
day night by Water Superintendent
ShafYer. Already the pumping station
is being taxed in order to supply
the huge demand daily and the
spring is lower than usual with
prospects OF still falling unless the
source of supply is replenished by
rains. The warning brought out in
the council the ever-present fact that
householders are recklessly wasting
water. Not only are hydrants per-
mitted to run continuously in the
belief that It makes drinking water
cooler, but hundreds and hundreds
OF citizens, many or them evading
the payment OF a permit to do 80,
are using sprinklers for their gar
dens and to sprinkle the street in
front Of their residences. II lis
charged that the street sprinkliugs
are not moderate or carried out in
reason. but the dirt streets trs
made soaking, sopping wet and the
paved and asphalted streets literal
cd into the business life and alleged
where several thousand dollars were.
spent in an effort to repair the
thoroughfare, 1t was pointed out
that residents will not allow the oil
time enough to soak through the
macadam but are extravagantly
sprinkling the same, with the re-
suit that 1t will not be long nntil
the renewed street will be worn OF
and be in as bad a shape as before.
The council instructed the police tot
make house to house canvass and
ascertain where MIGRANTS are per-
mitted to run day and night. At first
householders will be warned hut
fines will be imposed II the practice
continues. II necessary, where 1t Is
suspected the householders ate cove
ertly breaking this law, the city has
an apparatus that will be used to
detect the violation. "A ,&ssss
Blue Law Looms Up sNsil
It 10 becoming more and more
evident that Martinshurg ID destin-1]
ed to pass through q period of Euns1
day "blue laws" II vioiators OF the
local code of Sunday observance do
not halt In their grab for Z do1laYs
and honor the Sunday hours that
have obtained for years and which
were tacitly permitted by the au-
thorities until new element, enter
streams. On West King rect,
violations became more fragrant and
a tendency was manifested by some
to ignore the Sunday laws entirely.
The alleged offense Of certain par
ties In violating the present pre-
scribed hours was brought before
the council by Councilman w. B.
Barr and when there was . belief
expressed that any action might
precipftate the imposition Of string
ent blue laws Councilman George
Becker, declared matters might AZ
we'll come to a head and offered q
motion that the Sunday regulations,
commonly styled "blue laws" BE-
enforced. Councilman Barr second
ed the motion. This occasioned
discussion as to the manner In
which council should proceed and
it developed that so far as known
there is no city ordinance covering
the subject. However, there ara
strict State Sunday observance laws
and on motion of Councilman Barr
council decided that future COM
plants as TO violations of the Sun
day laws should be referred to tho
prosecuting attorney for action. I'M
der the state law the prosecuting
attorney, upon signed complaint.
must proceed against the violators.
Night Garbage Removal
The contract to remove the gar
bage from the streets OF Martins
burg to point outside the city was
awarded to Allen s. Burkhart, whose
bid was $500 per annum. He will
deposit the same On the farm OF Mr..
Newbraugh, in Opequon district, and
with the approval of the council the
removal and hauling of garbage
will hereafter be done at night. 9th
er cities have utilized this plan and
it seems to be the best time for
getting rid of this collection. The
other bidders for the garbage con-
tract were ]. c.. Zepp, $4,000, who
would haul it to Opequon district,
and r. l.. Hendricks, $500, who
would haul it to the S. J. Dixon
property.
To "Shoot" Cliff "
Mr.. Nelson Tavenner, owner OF
lots on South Queen street, near the
city limits, asked that the city give
him some Of the dirt dug up from
improved streets, he to pay the over
haul charges. Since Queen street
was realigned and improved it
throws his lots lower than the side
walk. The council granted his re-
quest, but afterwards suggested a
plan which was acceptable to Mr..
Tavenner. There is promontory at
the southern end of the street, left
there years since when the old
Charles Town road, as it ambled out
OF town, took it into its head to
wander from its course because OF
this jutting cliff. In order to straigh-
ten out the street at this point 1t
will be necessary to remove the
cliff This will be shot" or blasted
by the city and Mr.. Tavenner can
haul the dirt and rock to his lots
not far distant. Incidentally Mr..
Tavenner previously decided the
city strip about six feet wide
across the front of 80 feet OF his
property in order to make Queen