The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-13
SOME DlSCORD IN
{ EVIDENCE AT THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF COMMISSIONERS

The third chapter in threatened
split in the city official family oc-
Cured at the regular weekly session
Friday night, when Commissioner
Shores asked that he be transferred
to another department of the NUM-
cpal administration from his present
capacity as head of the water de-
partment. At the previous weekly
meeting OF the board Commissioner
shores nominated D. NJ. Walker for
water and sewer superintendent. The
board refused TO ratify the nomina
ton
At the meeting Friday night Com
missioner Shores stated that on De-
cember /, 1920, he had released the
water superintendent after he had
succeeded in securing the passage
of an ordinance which combined the
positions o. water and sewer super
intendents. He had offered the new
position TO Mr.. Walker he said, who
was at the time sewer superintendent.
Mr.. Walker was not quite sure at
the time as 70 whether or not he would
be able TO handle the position, Nh
shores said so the commissioner per-
mitted him 10 accept the position OH a
C0-day trial During that 60-day
trial." said Commissioner Shores.
Mr. Walker has cut down pay roll
expenses TO the amount of sl,Os3
monthly, and nas increased the month
ly revenue of the department to s473,
making a total saving to the city
Of sl,566. Since you gentlemen have
made II appear by your action in re-
fusing to accept my nomination Of
Mr.. Walker for the position that you
90 not think am competent as
head Of the water department, l desire
to be transferred to another depart
ment.'
Inspection Of the charter provis-
ions revealed that to make such
transfer required the action Of the
board. Commissioner Shores nomi
mated Commissioner Doak for the po-
sltion as head OF the water depart
mentment. The nomination was not
seconded and the proceedings could
90 no further.
THE city is without water and
sewer superintendent, said Mr..
shores, and / do not intend to pay
AIR, Walkers salary out of my own
pocket | intend 10 bring this mat
Ter up at every opportunity until the
position is filled, for the city cannot
get along without the superintendent"
The cause for the refusal of the
commissioners to ratify the nomlns-
lion is unknown.
Several weeks ago another split in
the city family came when Commits
sIoner Young asked that fine which
rad been imposed upon one Of the
drivers of the Rawlins Furniture
Company who had been found guilty
of a charge Of speeding, be rcmtted
tc the firm. Commissioner Shores
had been the acting police Judge
during the hearing Of the ease and
II was he who had imposed the fine.
Even though the board OF commits
sioners with the exception Of Com
missioner Shores. voted that the fine
be RENTED nevertheless Commission
er Shores refused to recommend the
remittance, and thus Commissioned
Young was unable to get back the fine,
Tor, the charter provisions make II
imperative that the police jln5se rec
ommcnd the remittance of a fine be-
fore 1t eau be made.
All the members Of the board and
the mayer were present. at the meet
ing Friday night
John Hoffman, local plumbing
contractor, appeared before the board
and asked that a fine OF $40 which
had been imposed upon one Of his
clients, Mr.. Gibson, residing al
Caddo and 7th streets, be remitted
The fine ha4 been imposed in police
court by Mayor Freeman because
Mr.. Gibson failed to comply with tins
city ordinance providing fer connect
ion OF residences with the sewer
system 30 days after official notifi-
cation. Mr. Freeman stated that he
had notified Mr.. Gibson to connect
with the sewer in September, 1890
MIR. Hoffman stated that he had
commenced his plumbing business on
February !, and that Mr. Gibson had
waited on the sewer connection In
anticipation OF Mr. Ioffman's entry
rad been unable 10 do the work prior
to the time the fine was imposed be.
cause the necessary materials had not
arrived. ut were now en- route
Mr. Hoffman stated that the filming
Of his client was "salp In his face >
since he held tho contract.
The mayor reminded tile board OF
commissioners that he had notified
AIR. Gibson 10 make the connection
more than five months ago. He stated
that tho citizens had voted the Sewer
bonds SO that the city might be In
sanitary condition and 10 protec,
themselves. Those who are finan.
ciulIy unable 70 make the connection
ardlnot dealt with severely, he said
hut those who are able should hs
made 10 do SO. In the culture We
viii provide In our budget for the
payment by the city OF sewer con.
neeiions which property owners are
unable 10 pay. and then we can charge
such payment against the property
owner In lnstallments.
The mayor stated that he may
recommend the fine OF AIR. Hoffman's
client be rcmitted after the connec
tion Is made.
W. I. Crucc. member OF tho com
m,tec OF citizens which drew up pro
pSed amendments TO the city charter
10 b. voted on By the people, pre-
scented the petition containing tn,
recommendation Of the committee
ny unanimous vote the petition wa,