Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-03-14
Mayor Mercer Addresses Rotarians

ALI "A. b. M6TccT, Ill duuF0SSIuS 3
the local Rotary club Friday even
ing at the Kennebec hotel, discuss
ed some of the problems which are
confronting McConnelsville officials
Pointing out that the finances of the
village are in precarious cOndi-
ton, the speaker stated that the to-
tai proceeds of the general property
tax in the village would amount to
$3,250, while $4,000 is required by
law to meet the sinking fund for
debt retirement. Further. the rev
enues from the liquor tax, personal
property tax and rentals will be in
sufficient to meet the street lighting
bills and to pay the ordinary ex-
penses of the local government. The
sales tax which was passed to save
municipalities from bankruptcy will
yield only $500 to McConnelsville,
according to the latest available in
formation.
The speaker stated that during
the past year a number of public
improvements have been made pos
sible by the relief administration.
The completion of the sanitary sew
er project for the Flatiron, an i'm
provement which has been neces-
sary for some years. He praised the
work of the sewer committee of
council, headed by l.. E. Abel, in
completing this matter. Legislation
has been passed by council and ap-
proved by the mayor giving author
ity to the highway department to
improve Main street. Another pub
lie improvement contemplated is the
Canal street sewer which has been
giving trouble for some time. Due
to the financial condition of the
village, it will be necessary for the
town to press for all federal aid
possible to carry on many needed
Improvements.
Mr.. Mercer further said that leg
islation is needed To protect local
from out of town ped
dlers who sell clothing, rugs, cos
etc, from house to house,
who are taking considerable sums
from the village each year He
said that a license fee is necessary
to accomplish this or else to make
out of town business men pay their
share for the maintenance of the
just as local business men
are compelled to support the gov
Taking up the matter OF
law enforcement, the speaker point
ed out that ill will is being created
due to the fact that some local cit
liens are immune from arrest for
minor law violations while young
sters from the country are seized
upon for excessive punishments.
This apparent favoritism may re-
act unfavorably upon local business
if carried much further The
speaker stated his belief that all
laws should be. enforced impartially
even in cases Of minor infractions
of the law.
Turning to the rates charged by
public utilities serving the village,
he said the Ohio Power company
is negotiating with town officials
TO give McConnelsville consumers
the benefits Of reductions in the
rate being granted to other COM
munities. He praised the coopera-
ton being given by Manager Frank
Coulson in working out the matter
and said that it may be possible to
see the town better lighted, if the
are made by the COM
pany. For more than year coun-i
ell has been negotiating with the
Ohio Fuel Gas company, whose gen
eral manager, E. NJ Tharpe, has
been demanding a much higher gas
Iate for the village. The speaker
pointed out that the utilities COM
mission has rendered decision in ev-
cry case submitted to it granting
far higher rates to the gas COM
panies in Ohio, particularly to SUBJ
salaries of the Columbia Gas and
Electric, holding company for the
Ohio Fuel. The gas committee COM
posed of Councilmen Cowan, Dye
and Havener, have devoted much
time to the negotiations and de-
serve credit first for keeping the
case out of the commission, and
second for having forestalled an in
creased gas rate for more than a