The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-04-07

conscientious worker IN al matters.
Ber0resthe Greater Wheeling charter
was enacted. S'antdin D;in sr"N ell be-
tween a;;een and twenty years IA aAe
old IT,. cnunrl On the fire committee.
lie E..Nc the f"e derartmet thorough
Study and watched its growth con-
slan,ly. lie took special interest IN inc
DEVELOPMENT OF the department from
tho pcriyd oc hand drawn vehicles /"
the ca OF horse drawn apparatus with
the pumps. AMI in tho last few years
was pleased u see the department
c.r:p;cI Win he modern motor equip
men; aad c.as&cd by the fire uncerwTit-
ers 10 DE ono Of the best fire depart
:n"ni., maintained by an% city the SIZE
of Wheeling IA the United states.
Fatherod Civil Service
Ca1;a.u utto was the father OF the
legislative bill that allowed civil ser
vice in the fire department.
lie vas one OF the three or four coon-
ci'u,., who fought IN 1905 and 1909
against allowing the Natural Gas Com
pl:.y -: West Virginia 20 undermine and
DESTROY tho Old city gas plant ana com
,ct ,.ru.c OF natural gas for illuminate
~ ,,u"ro.aa Captain OTTO vas very
much critic. zcd AZ the time, but later
vas l.mdica:ed showing by his aCt'oHs
Llat ae had tho citizens interest III
urrr:. and stood on the s:ds he though NJ
SoL.d 20 o. the greatest osneHt 10 '"'
Municipality.
Canta;u otto served on tho charter
commission in tho House or De.es"'eS
srd helped n tho framing Of the wheel
Ing ci;y charter when several o'I"l
charters fa.icd lie was also on the
~
charter o. tho board OF contro. MS VOL
ss mo present form OF government
worked for Top Mill Road.
Too much credit cannot he given 10
Cap,ain O,to for his hard work IN rep
rc4cnting the city of Wheeling. particul-
arlv his own ward. in brinsins about tho
building OF the Top Mil road. inns nc"
and badly needed road VAS hrouGnt
qhout target. BY Captain onto securing
contribuiinns TO build tho road from
the Top MIL. county, city and Ie"lAS
railroad road.
Capta!u otto was also the fatner Oh
bill ~ the House OF Delegates that
provided levy for maintaining and
building Fairgrounds. lie took pafH-
Cular interest in This bill not only as
y member OF tho legislature but as
member Of council from Wheeling and
! unforeseen N 1EpE.h'iIS h'''"''''''E"N'' '>''
tho children and recreation IN prevent
them from playing on the streets ah1
other dangerous places.
Pure Water Booster.
One Of the biggest boosters for pure
water in Wheeling was Captain Otto.
He always took n very active interest
IN proposed alteration plants and was
anxious 10 live 10 see the day when
Wheeling would be provided with pure
water. only recently she made the trip
to Eric. Pa, with other members or
council to inspect the nltration plant
there that - similar 10 the one proposed
FOR Wheeling. 1le was instrumental IN
haNtrS the water works mpNed from
sixth street many years ago "a the upper
end % tho c.ty in 1855 and helped mate
rally IN the Improvements OF 1907 10
the walr: works. He followed the water
works conditions up unt:l tho day or MS
, death. hoping to be able TO vote on the
10Th Of this month for the two million
I dollar bond ISSUE to provide pure water.
In 1905 Captain Otto was the only
member OF council Of the membership OF
a.. To vote against the requested
franchise Of the Elm Grove Railway
company 70 what no termed hog the
streets Of Wheeling" The traction COM
rany then had franchise that did not
! expire cnr - years hut wanted An ad-
: d,t;unal %I.vear franchise. Tho tra"-
ton company wanted to change a."
tracks - run down Main street and
Market street. making wide c!rc'e
, through tho business district OF tho city.
y captain otto. ri that time. claimed II
vas unnecessary and his contentious Al
that time have proven TO ho true today.
as tho p-cGcu; traction company now
operating To tho outthe-p!ke district
Sonic / mo ago discontinued making the
cirrl" through the business district
cutting down I'haplHNn street
Il was largely Through the Efforts ~
/ Captain O;to that the fare OF Ave cents
VAS stipulated IN the franchise o' the
Wheeling Traction company In 1907. !:
was proposed 70 charge ten c"nts 70
Martins Ferry. Rel!airn and Benvood
uNd through the protests OF Captain
otto ;ie faro was reduced 70 i've cents
with & Transfer to these poi"'9. He
also vas instrumental IN bringing me
ran Handle Traction company 10 con
meet with Wheeling having taken the
Lead IN securing al The concessions.
Car,ain Otto va. also the father n:
the hill authorizing and directing the