Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-08-22
COUNCIL GRANTS
GIANT REDWOOD
LEASE OF LIFE

The giant redwood tree grow
Ing in the street at the intersec-
ton of Summer and Union streets
which was ordered cut down some
time ago but which order was moi
carried out because of the senti-
ment against the act, will stand
until such time as 1t is shown that
the tree is a decided menace to
the travelling public. SO it was de-
cided last night by the members
Of the city council.
A petition bearing the names
OF 232 taxpayers was presented
asking that the tree be spared.
Several OF the townspeople were
also present to make a plea for the
historic landmark. Frederick
JObelman. cancelled an engage
ment to Hood River In order to
address the meeting.
Alderman F. l.. Utter pointed
out that should any accidents oc-
cur on account Of the tree the
city could be held liable for dam
ages. However, when he was re-
minded that A. ~. Bush had Of
fered to pay the expenses incident
to placing light upon the tree his
argument seemed to fade.
Patton Favors the Axe.
Alderman Hal Patton took up
the fight to have the tree destroy
ed and advanced argument that
1t was the only tree standing In
the highway between the Cana
dian and Mexican lines. He also
enlarged upon the added danger
there would be wbe" Summer
street becomes the main thorough
fare. Other memuers of the coun-
ell retaliated with the argument
that II the tree was the only one
Ia the highway between Canada
and Mexico 1t should be left for
that very reason. They also in
formed Mr.. Patton that Summer
street would be the main street
only until Capitol street was
paved through.
The final motion read that the
street commissioner be instructed
not to cut the tree down as preyi-
ously ordered and for the council |
to accept the offer OF Mr.. Bush, |
rendering him a vote of thanks, |
and that the matter be laid on the
tabe indefinitely. When the vote
was put Alderman Patton waited |
for some one to vote with him or
dering the tree cut down but when
he found that he was alone he
asked whether they were voting
to cut the tree or let 1t stand.
Mayor Halyorsen informed him
that he was calling for the ayes,
and the vote was CARED for nguin,
with no one making sound. The
noes were unanimous and very
strong.
Incinerator Postponed.
The council granted u. G. Ship Il
fey permit to place an electric
sign in front of his place of busi-
ness. Orders for two board walk |
sidewalks and four cement walks
were given. The matter of an in /
cinerator plant was passed up un-
til the next meeting In order that
the committee might have further |
opportunity to Investigate the ii
plants OF other cities. The anti ,
jingling ordinance proposed by
Alderman H. II. Vandervort was
left for the next meeting owing
to the absence OF Mr.. Vandervort.
The measure il passed would pro-
hibit the advertising of dances by
She parading OF the streets of con-
lrivances such as is now seen on
the streets before each dance. The
city treasurer was authorized to
draw warrants for the city Off
GERS, the monthly payroll, and the
payment for the band music.
The only other business other
than routine was the question of
bonding the city for the paying of
the paving OF the inter
section OF Lincoln street at
High and Commercial streets.
Several members of the council
were In favor Of having the prop
erty owners stand the expense and
asked that the measure be put up
to the voters at the fall election
whereby the city would be freed
from paying tho cost hereafter.
The plan to place the matter be-
fore the people was lost to 3
with the opposition stating that
such an act would retard paving
operations in Salem and also that 3
10 place too many special bills be-
fore the people would cause them o
to vote down all.
Near the close of the meeting
Patton, following the
reading OF a resolution, stated that a
be had counted the word said" 4
SIS times In the paper just read
and asked IL 1t would be just as
good to put the word "the" in its
place. He said he had kept track