Putnam patriot., 1928-07-12

The city water situation came in for its innings again at the regular meeting of the common council. Tues- day night So did the parking problem and No. fire truck. It was tho threadbare subject of water" how- ever. that appeared to cause the mayor and at least two of the aldermen to exert their self control. lt was appar- ent that they have about reached point where they intend drastic &C., ! tion. This was evident in the coun- cil's vote to have the board of water commissioners "on the carpet" next week Tuesday. The council adjourned for one short week and the water com missioners will be requested to appear and explain to the council why they, the commissioners. have not started to work to carry out the vote of the council Co build a steel standpipe on Bates Hill The fact that the water commissioners have done nothing was branded by tho mayor as an act of defiance" and caused Alderman Ames Co say he had it in mind to ask the commissioners for thoir resignations. then adding that perhaps such action would be q bit hasty IL was appar- ent that the alderman from ward two was endeavoriua to suppress his feel- ings in the matter. especially as they touched and concerned Che commissions ers' attitude since the council voted Co % ahead with the work.
 Parking Problem
 The parking problem also caused some criticism from members ot the executive body when the merchants committee Of the Chamber of Com merce submitted a communication ask ing that the recently adopted method of parking on Main street be changed. IL was emphasized, and then hammer cd home, that it was the opinion of several in the council that lf the mer- chants would cooperate with the or- dinance committee and keep their own cars off the street in the business sec tion there would be plenty of room for parking and no cause for complaint.
 The meeting had progressed along routine lines for some time and thero came a lull following the discussion of the parking problem when Alderman Dean arose and mentioned water The press table came to life and ears were cooked forward in anticipation.
 Alderman Dean, chairman of the special water committee of the ceun- cil stated that he had interviewed Alexander Gilman, chairman Of tho board of water commissioners, regard ing what had heen done by the com missioncrs tending to carry out the vote of the council to construct a steel tank on Bates Hill. The chairman of the water commissioners told the chairman of the water committee, Mr. Denn said, that nothing had been done. Asked why this was so. Com- missioner Gilman told Alderman Dean that the commissioners did not con- slider that the board had received the order to proceed in "bIack and white" and on proper authority. The alder man said he asked Mir. Gilman what authority the board wanted. and Mir. Gilman said, "An order signed by the mayor"
 Act of Defiance . ~ 4f1
 Mayor Richard stated that he had also interviewed the chairman of the board of water commissioners and had had a similar conversation as had AL derman Dean. He said he had talked with the corporation counsel and was told that the vote of the council was sufficient notice to the commissioners, and also sufficient authority for them Co proceed.
 "I think they are working in direct defiance of the city council I don't think it is for this body to take orders from them,p said the mayor. His Honor repeated several times that he considered the action of the commits sioners as a defiance" of the council.
 The city clerk was asked fl he had notified the commissioners of the vote passed. The clerk read a copy of the notice sent to each commissioner, an attested copy of the vote Co build tho standpipe.
 Alderman Ames said he didn't think that anything could be stronger than q copy of the vote of the council af-- tested by the clerk and sent to the commissioners. He said he could see no reason why the commissioners should be "quibbline.p He thought the council should adjourn one week and ask the commissioners to bc pres ent. Alderman Ames made it as a motion, that the commissioners be re- quested to be present at the next
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