davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04
RATS INFEsT PARSONS ISLAND
Thousands of Pests Makes Section
Near ChestertOwn Place of Horror

Thousands of Pests Makes Section
Near ChestertOwn Place of Horror
Rats by the thousands that climb
trees and eat the fruit and also at
tack domestic animals are making |
Parsons Island in Eastern Bay a |
place of horror. Parsons Island which |
is 5 miles south of Chestertown, ,Md.,is |
generally known as the ]. F. Usilton
farm and consists of about 130 acres.
County Agent Grubb, DR.. Jehle, Z. \.
Corey and S. B. Shaw of the State
Agricultural Department, recently
visited the island to investigate re-
ports that the place was infested with
rats that were running all Vegetation.
Members of the party were Mortified
by what they saw and say that actual
conditions are much worse than pic
tured by the reports reaching the ag-
riculture department. According to
their report they found the ground
literally overrun with the rodents. In
the evening thousands of the rats
could be seen leaving their holes and
making for the shore line to get wat
er. The men who made the visit say
the rats climb trees and eat the small
peaches, apples and pears. They bur
row under the roots Of vegetables and
destroy growth; nest under corn and
ruin the plants and make living in the
only house on the island unbearable.
The Investigators say that visit to
the Island is a horrible ard gruesome
experience. They state that even
hogs on the Island do not escape the
ravages of the pests. Animals were
seen walking around with holes in
= their flesh caused by rats gnawing at
: them while asleep or resting. The
| fact that the place has been practical
? ly deserted for some time is thought
. to account for the present condition
= Il is likely that as a result of the visit
= of the experts an organized campaign
t will be started soon to rid the island
b of the pests. 1t is possible that bar
ium carbonate, a poison lately useC
). in rat campaigns in this country vii
: be resorted to in an effort to exter
:, inmate to the rodents. This poisOl
r causes the rats to hunt for water ant
e the water acting with the poison kill
Il them.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

spend the weekend with relatives
near Centreville, Md. They returned
Monday leaving little Anna for a
months visit.
Prof. L. B. Earhart, of Philadel-
phia. formerly principal of the Smyr-
ma High School was married Saturday
June 3Oth, to Miss Edna Boettcher,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. w. L.
Boettcher, of Evanston, Ill. They will
be cat home" at the Hotel Manhattan,
Atlantic City, N. ].
Mr.. and Mrs. c. H. Webb and little
daughter Mary Ann, have been visit
ing Mr.. Webb's parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Wesley Webb, in Dover.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank H. Hynson and
daughter, Miss Mary Hynson, left last
week for Lewes where they will spend
their summer vacation with Mrs.
Hynson's parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Prettyman.
Miss Doris Nichols and brother, Mr..
Ransom Nichols, student of Dickin-
son College, have gone to Ocean City,
n. j., where they have taken a posi-
tion for the summer.
Mrs. S. NJ. Farrell is on a motor
trip to Long Island, where she is Wis
iting Rev. G. Valerie Gilreath, form
er rector of st. Peters Church and his
family.
Mrs. G. Harvey Wright and daugh-
ters and Miss Anna Greenwell have
returned home from a weeks visit at
the home of w. E. Hart and family
at Townsend.
Earl Slaughter, of the Studebaker
Auto Company of Philadelphia, is
spending his vacation with his parents
Representative Harry Slaughter and
wife.
Mrs. J. Mariner Beckett and chill
dren of Woodbury. Heights, N. j., are
visiting Mrs. Joseph L. Beckett and
Miss Anna Bell Beckett.
Mr.. Ernest S. Haynes, of Whining
ton was a visitor to Smyrna Sunday
and was given a welcome greeting by
his old friends.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. Lindsay McFar-
lane,of Philadelphia, have been spend
ing several days with Mr.. and Mrs
Jay Lassell.
Mrs. Harvey Stephenson, of Per
Mar, Pa, has returned from a visit
to her mother, Mrs. Sallie Rothweh.
Rev. Thomas Getz Hill and family
, left to-day, Wednesday, for a two
weeks sojourn at Rehoboth.
Miss Edith McDougle, of Washing
ton, D. c., was a recent visitor Il
4 4 Mrs. G. Harvey Wright.
Miss Dora Wilds, of Dover, is Ol
'' an extended visit to Miss Berthi
Smithers.
Mrs. Alice Reed is visiting he
= daughter, Mrs. Rich Holland at Balti
more, Md.
E Mrs. Sallie ROthwell, left Saturda
= for an extended visit to Brooklyn
y n. Y.
i Misses India and Henrietta Rotf
y y we'll are spending the summer in Pc
. Mar, Pa.
q DR.. W. V. Messick suffered anothe
!" "" one of his attacks last week, but
. somewhat improved at this writing.
Mrs. J. Earl Chandler and daughtt
- have returned from visit to Penn
4, grove, n. J.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04
Personal and Social
FeOple Who Come and Go
and Their Social Doings

Als. George Taylor and her daugh-
MS I. E. Rowland, had as their
r''@ lor the weekend and over the
V5l'n, Mrs. ROwland's son, Ivison
asn0' Of Philadelphia, and his
-ll parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
,.'.I ,'ianl' Of Holmesburg, Pa. Mr..
',al1 ..,-.lll was the manager of the
wen aISsell'Rovland Shovel Works of
,or.s -isssOuig that was burned several
oJ ',,' J. d ago and the property has been
n, !" " Sae city for a public park.
i 49, n nomer D. Hudson, of Worces-
N MA vHa'3,, Nv. visited his parents, Mr..
-, MS. :, William D. Hudson. last
hi - l.. Mrs. Hudson returned home
NJ li'll . and will make a visit there
,,i..,S ~, j. Z. DeFOrd and her son
\, -alu, .I. Who have been occupying
et.,,.J outage at Atlantic City, hav,
s u smyrna for July and Au.
!. u and Mrs. cummins E. Speak
4 loi1ed Mrs. speakman'g e nootSe Tpt5s
,'JsS Ssisr' !, Mrs.HOward Josephs an,
gS f'V Ti-a .ne ", wedding Saturday even
rs a-5 a-.9s : Elizabeth Lukens. .Swarth
s55ia N saq ! Samuel Crothers, Jr.. Phil
M 'G en- IN the Swarthmore Presby
I OauIeh. The reception was a
us s''ng Haven Country Clu
arg F.np:,w =, +. wilds and Mr.. and Mr..
Ia, # epOnueroy and their two chi
d, Sa,.a, y Rowland Park, Baltimor
aor a,9sea Sio;s to Smyrna last week f.
PI,i.ssltt., p, mslt. They will leave her 81
N N,1 NiifId p \. j., where they wi
tsr. .,' :. Rowland Coke, Mrs. Wild
ev Jsr,a,.V a~a will also motor down Il
ne. ss coast before returnin
HIdr.Sn Sna ~ Mrs. Howard R. Jones Ar
and MI. u gr' and Mrs. R. F. Co
noro~'' MS Laura Lee Corley. lea,
] " n motor for Stone Ha
lstp,, 1, M. Jones and DR.. Corl,
ies "a, 'ae ! weekend leaving the
pa j 'Is p : two weeks sOjourS. '''
nghteF bartlett, son Charles, a
anna, left Saturday
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

life and come prepared to exchange
helpful teachings from the words and
deeds Of this noble woman. Our rep
resentative at the Young Peoples In
stitute held in Dover next week will
be Miss Edna Woodkeeper.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

lessons are taken from the New Test
ament and deal with the lives Of the
best known men and women OF the
New Testament. Next Sunday the
character is Mary, the mother OF
Jesus. Find out all you can OF her
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04
THOROUGHFARE NECK

Friendship NJ. f. Church Services
Announced for Next Sunday
Your best fire protection is support
ing Clayton Firemen's Carnival.-adv.
Friendship NJ. E. Sunday School
will be held Sunday at 2.S0 p. m, and
sermon at 3.15 p. m. Subject for the
sermon is Possessing a Country"
For this quarter the Sunday School
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

It is expected that work will be
zaTted on the proposed Newark high
sa0Ol building by the first of August.
lie final plans and specifications are
lE being prepared and bids will be
aed in a short time. The Delaware
Sa0Ol Auxiliary will give $4,000
Eovards the building and the district
Ti- bond for 100000 making a total
ASO,OOO to be spent on the build
g and equipment. The structure
Dill be ready for occupancy Septem-
l next year.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04
m SMYRNA Times
cuyRNA, DELAWARE
snyRNA AND VICINITY

SMYRNA AND U'0'"''
F.. vebb's White Loaf Flour.
ca.lantood ala tee satisfa'ti0n--'d7'
-, Firemen's Carnival will
Clayton o,,al attractions this year.
3d.
. ,,onr poultry thrive. Use my
NaHs .s !V brapd of poultry feeds; my
's''ia;sr ial;;stnre,-J. Frank Webb.-adv'
s.+ YOUR family and friends
Sc Tl1r riavtOn Firemen's Carnival
sE
49,, foot of movies with every
lal's s,.t cards. There is a phOtCg-
dozen w. ronr town.-Smyrna Studio,
rapn'l I,nr u ) to Colonial HOtel.-adv.
=. ,.r,lar monthly business meet
llI !. tSs ~ Mite Society of Asbury NJ
!. I1g C.,,r.b Z. II will be held on Saturday
evening, y July 7th' at 7'8O O'CLOCK
See.
nsw1King, of the U. S. Naval
s1.-,r ripl, |" Alapolis, Nd, will present
A Ae'uirI, intsrp,ts of the Anti-SalOon
~ ..,ns a. At Asbury NJ. E. Church next
Sr-5ay Sr-Sa morning July Sth.
u.mbsrs Of Citizens Hose Company
! IS Srvma. are urged to be present
%,.5,y -, night next, June 9, to take
,..on ,.r1' n tbe matter of parade at Mid
s1, S.srn during the Firemen's Conven-
fm July H.
n tbe presence of about 20 rela
.irs, and friends, DR.. George W. K
Torrsst. newly-elected mayor of Viii
ringtOn. took oath of Office Saturda!
! i2O4 o'clock in the Public Build
n. He was sworn in by Charles G
Coleman, clerk of the Municipal Cour
The road at Fiddler's Bridge, nea
q Georges, now under construction
6ss closed to dOwn-State traffic las
week. which made it necessary to de
tour via Delaware City to Port Pen
over the river road which is also i
ad shape and dangerous on accoun
n the condition Of one of the bridge!
Concrete work on the SeafOrd-Rt
Lance State Highway has begun, an
the contractors are making rapid prC
press. COncreteing was started at tE
SeafOrd end Of the road, the work
,onCreting Pennsylvania avenue, We
Seaford, having been completed. II
contractors are now headed tOwal
the main road of the highway, al
this point will be reached within
few days. An average of about 81
feet Of concrete per day is beir
maintained.
It is expected that work will
started on the proposed Newark hil
s10Ol building by the first of Augu
lls final plans and Specifications a
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

,.ot of movies with every
Three e, .tIr cards. There is a phOtog-
dozen ~, !. rour town.-Smyrna Studio,
rapa'l p 5.Dr u to Colonial HOtel.-adv.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

:. ,.o,lsr monthly business meet
ils |. ne ~ Mite Society of Asbury M.
1s 2 SsDreb :, NJ will be held on Saturday
:. ;.n Caai'J JulT 7th, at 7.SO o'clock
-
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

-f.W.J. King, of the U: S. Naval
rlpl, ls1.-,r w. Alapols, Nd, will present
AeAut-tI, A i.to,s,ts of the Anti-SalOon
! ~ ..ons as' At Asbury NJ. E. Church next
S11day Sor5 morning July 8th.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

MANNERS Of Citizens Hose Company
!. 'lS-,r Srv7a. are urged to be present
,l..5,y y -, night next, June 9, to take
..ion .s n tbe matter of parade at Mid
5gsFn during the Firemen's Conven-
fm July II.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

h the presence of about 20 rela-
,i1s, = AM and friends, DR.. George W. K.
Torsst, Fam newly-elected mayor of Will
-ii,gton. i,, took oath of Office Saturday
!. i2Ol o'clock in the Public Build
irg He was sworn in by Charles G..
Cesman, clerk of the Municipal Court
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

rramen's Carnival will
Clayton 'U.,,al attractions this year.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

..or, pOultry thrive. Use my
NaIs lNsl.t.5 sVbI brand of poultry feeds; my
ss'fa:s1 ai:'s.tnTe'-J. Frank Webb.-adv.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

.,.+ vour family and friends
81, Sc 'l1r ciavton Firemen's Carnival
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

The road at Fiddler's Bridge, near
!. Georges, now under construction,
,s.s closed to dOwn-State traffic last
vssk. which made it necessary to de-
tour via Delaware City to Port Penn
over the river road which is also in
bad shape and dangerous on account
N the condition of one of the bridges.
Smyrna times., 1923-07-04

+. vebb's White Loaf Flour.
Ask .osd .os satisfactiOn.-adv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-16
Wonderful Bargains In Rugs and Linoleum

We are the only department store in Birmingham handling complete line of Gold Seal Congoleum. During this sale we will give substantial reduction all Gold Seal rugs and Gold Seal yard goods Don't fail to see our rugs. If you contemplate purchasing new floor covering you will be than pleased with our beautiful lines and low prices. All the best brands of Americanmade rugs in every size imaginable. (Sold on club plan if desired0
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
SENATOR TO SPEAK. l FIRST TIME SINCE .
 TRIP T0 EUROPE .
Bill Offered Providing For Care Of Confederate
 Graves In North
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Montgomery, Ala. July II ' Oscar W. Underwood will

Senator Oscar W. Underwood will dellVer an adress at a joint session or the senate and house at II o'clock August 31. This announcement was made on the floor of the senate Tuesday afternoon by Senator John w. Overton, of Randolph, chairman of a special committee created by the legislature for the purpose of tender ing the invitation.
 Senator Underwood advised Sena- tor OVerton that he would be pleased to accept the invitation on August 3l. His adress probably will create national interest because 1t will be his first utterance from a plat form after his return from Europe, where he made a study of European conditions and affairs, and after a national movement was started for his nomination as the democratic candidate for president next year.
 The convict lease resolution took the time of the senate during the afternoon and no other business was transacted. The senate has no bills on it's calendar and cannot consider any until reports have been received from committees. This means there can be no legislation passed by the senate until late in the week. Favor able reports may be made on bills at the session Thursday but the legisla- NiOl GdIlAOI SOAhC LO Q 'SsS eAAe~A following day
 Care Of Confederate Graves.
 Senator Jones of Barbour offered a resolution providing for the CO., operation of the state with other states of the south In working out plans for the care of graves of Con federate soldiers in mortimer ceme- teries. The resolution provides Tor committee of three senators ana live representatives, who would be charged with the duty of making in- vestigations of the cost Of upkeep and of making recommendations to the legislature of 1927.
 Governor Brandon delivered to the senate his message urging adequate legislation during the session Tor the development of the port of Mobile Attached to the message was copy of the opinion of majority or the supreme court which advised the governor that the constitutional amendment ratified last Novemper was sufficient to permit the state lo use it's credit through bond issue for port development. The message e was copy of the one delivered to the house last week.
 Wants Tax For COuntfes'
 Senator Jones of Barbour intro, duced a bill providing for the eoual distribution of the gasoline taH among the 67 couties. One-half oi tha total tax Is now going to the state for the use of the general funo
 Thirty-three of the 35 members o1 inc senate were in their seats durlns tne session. The absentees were sen for John Craft of Mobile and sem afor J. P. Middleton of Marion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
CLUB BOYS TO GATHER
State Encampment Will Be Held At
 Auburn

AUBURN, Ala, July 17.-(Special) July 23-28 has been designated s the time for the next annual state en- campment for agricultural club boys here at Auburn. In announcing these dates T. A., Sims and James l.. Sip ley. state club leaders. state that two or more boys are expected from eacn county having county agent and that during the week they will be given very valuable lectures and demonstrations on agricultural and rural life subjects, and that in con nection with their work there will be numerous recreational exercises in the form of swimming, games, pie ture shows, etc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
CAL VARY AT CAMP M GILLIAN W ILL GIVE HORSE SHOW
Negro Killed Down Town When Struck By CoIum-
 bus, Ga., Autoists
ANNISTON BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HERALD !

The Sixth cavalry horse show. which Is an annual event with off cers and men of the regiment now on training duty. will be given on Thurs day despite the fact that an an- nouncement of postponment had been made and military demonstration will be given on the same day. The officers jumping class and the ladies jumping class will be the chief fea- derived from the horse show will go into the treasury of the Army Relief society an organization which pro- vides relief alike for the families of officers and enlisted men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
Selmiian Giues Blood To Saue
 Negro Infant

SELMA, Ala, July 17.-A negro infant, brought to the office Of Selma surgeon yesterday, near death, will live, doctors said to- day, as result of a gift of blood by c. L. Orth, secretary of the Selma Young Mems Christian as learned of the case In time to come to the aid ef the medical men.
 The infant was slowly dying from hemorrhages, surgeons said. Immediate transfusion was last desperate move. They sought 6 healthy specimen. Mr. Orth offered himself The surgeons took what blood was necessary, The opera ton was a success.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
MACON CROPS GOOD
Hot Sun Proves Enemy Of Indus-
 triOus Boil WeeviI

TUSKEGEE, Ala, July 17.-(Spe- cial. )-The past week was favorable for the crops of Macon county. The hot sunshine worked havoc with the boil weeV1. The squares were fall ing thick and fast, but the hot rays of the sun roasted the weevil egg. be- fore it could hatch. As a result the farmers are more hopeful of an av- craze yield. In many places there are four and five half grown bofls to the stalk, but if sthe weevil can be held in check for another month, fair cotton crop will be produced in Macon county. The corn crop is much better than was expected two weeks ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
MITCH TRAVET,

The travel from points north and east through Tuskegee, is greater this year than during any previous period. Every day there are scores of cars passing, loaded with pas sengers and baggage. When the gravel road is complete, linking Ma con county with the splendid roads of Montgomery county, the travel from Atlanta and points east will be doubled
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
PREACHER VISITS

BUTLER, Ala, July I7.-lSpeclaI Leased Wire. )-Rev. J. B. Tate and two children arrived Saturday night to spend the week with his daughter, Mrs. R. K. Jones. Part of the time will be spent In South Choctaw with relatives, as MT. Tate was reared in Choctaw county. MT. Tate filled the pulpit at Butler Methodist church Sunday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
WRONG NEGRO HELD. BELIEF

The negro held by Detroit poIce is not John Birt, alias John Burt, wanted in Tuscaloosa county for the murder of Deputy Sheriff John Thrower at Kellerman three years ago, according to a telegram re- ceived fromthe Detroit police today The negro gave his name to the De- troit police as Will Mack and his photo is being mailed to Sheriff Kyle in an effort to connect him with murder in this county. A photo or the man who killed Thrower was mailed to the Detroit police depart ment, which brought the message.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
COUNTY AGENT VISITS

l.. G. Prentice, who is now serving as county agent in York county. South Carolina. is spending this week with his family in Oxford and with old friends in the county. His head quarters are in Rock Hill. MT. Bren- tice. who served as county agent for Calhoun for several years, has been located at Rock Hill for about eight months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
DEPUTY TO REMAIN

Sidney J. Cobb, who has been serv- ing as deputy in the office of Sheriff w. r. Knighton for about six months has reconsidered his determination to resign and will take the place of chief field deputy held for the last two months by Collie Sparks, who re- signed Monday w. T. Fruit notified Chief Depuly II. l. Tu'nlin Tuesday morning that he had decided to quit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
ATTALLA ID VOTE. ON $35,O0O BOND
 ISSUE F0R SCHOOL
GadSden Firmen Ask For 12- Hour Shift-Lake Will
 Not Close
THE AGE-HERALD GADSDEN BUREAU l Gndsdeu. Ala. July IT

Within the next few days the At talla council is expected to hold a special session for the purpose of calling an election to determine the question of Issuing s35,000 worth of bonds to be used In erecting a new school building, It Is understood that the city has already decided upon a site. An effort will be made to com plete the building by the first of the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
FARMER KILLED
Life Crushed Out By l.. and N. Train
 Near PerdidO

BAY ANNETTE, Ala, July I7.- Special. )-Louisvill and Nashville train No. [ between Mobile and Pen sacola ran over and killed at Perdido station Harris Dasavier. farmer. He was about 60 years of age.
 Mr. Dasavier was walking up the middle of the track where deep curve obstructed both his view and that of Engineer Feagin of the train. The force of the impact was great enough to throw the body clear of the track and it was not mangled. Burial took place in Perdido.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
MRS. FREE DIES

Mrs. Satim& Free, age s5, died at tho home of her daughter, Mrs Helen Bridges, on Fifth street north. at : o'clock Tuesday morning. The fu- neral will be held at Hopewell church. in St, Clair county, Wednes- day morning at II o'clock, the serv- ices to be conducted by Rev. W. M. Harris, Rev. J. E. Lowery and Rev. J. W. McBrayer. The burial will be at the Hopewell cemetery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
AUTO KILLS NEGRO

Douglass Mosely, a 7-year-old ne- gro boy. is dead at his home in South Anniston. after being struck by the car of Dr. and Mrs F. Shafer of Co., lumbus, Ga, who were driving through tie city en route to Chatta- nooga. Dr, and Mrs. Shafer continued their journey to Chattanooga, but will return by way of Anniston on their homeward trip.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
VOTE ON MILL TAX

Votes being cast in Walker county Tuesday for the 1mill school tax is very light, according to reports from different parts of the county. Wal ker county citizens voted a 1-mfll school tax in 1913 for period of 10 years. This voN Is now being cast for 1-mill tax for 10 years more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
ROAD ENGINEER MOVES

Marvin Taylor, engineer for the state highway commission, who has been supervising the construction of Rainbow drive in this county, has moved his headquarters to Ashville to supervise the Birmingham Gadsden highway through St. Clair county. The contractors have already started work at Argo, near the Jefferson county line.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
VETS TO HEAR LETTERS

David c. Weaver of the William Henry Forney chapter, U. c. ", and Bailey G. MGlelen, the adjutant and recording secretary. have issued call for the twenty seventh annual reunion of veterans in this and ad- joining counties to be held at Schenks Springs on August 8 and 9. Con- gressman Lamar Jeffers will deliver the principal adress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
RI,AIoCx EIJNERAL HELD

Funeral services for Mrs. Aleta Blalock, age S5 years. whose death occurred at the home below Oxford Monday, were held from the resi- dence Tuesday. Mrs. Blalock was the widow of the late George Blalock and is survived by four daughters. Mrs. Anna. Emma. Leila and Lena Blalock. and two sons, Ebert and Charlie Blalock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
SHORT COURSE

4 short course in domestic science will be held here August II to 1G and will be attended by about 75 mem bers of the girls clubs of the county Miss Elizabeth Mauldin and Mrs. d. F Williams, county agents, will be among the instructors. Courses will be given !n cooking, canning and sewing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
POLICEMAN ASKED TO RESIGN

Policeman C. l.. Bowen, who was suspended by Mayor Christopher for alleged incompteucy, has been asked to resign with the understanding that he receive pay for the two weeks that he was under suspension. An investigation of the mayors ac- tion was made by special commit tee of the council