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About The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1909)
,-, .n 'rtBtV '. I "-"W iBSS" ''ljnaSB-wil !S2?SR" r TT tM WV ' -THECO0S BAYTHW ES, MARSHFIELD,. OREGON, FRIDAY, DEQEMBEfl 3, 1909 EVENING EDITION hf t POLITICAL FORUM Friends of the Two Mayorality Candidates Advance Arguments for Consideration of Marsh field Voters. (All communications must be In The Times office by 10 o'clock a. m. to secure publication the same day. This is necessary In order that thoy can be handled without preventing the handling of telegraph and other Important news.) IMPORTANT XOTICK. The Times Is compelled to hold out a couple of political communica tions and several Items of news because of impossibility to have them placed In typo In time for today's paper. FOR SMITH ------------ Marshfleld, Or., Dec. 2, 09. Br. C. W. Tower, chairman executive committee of Administration Club, City. Sir: I have the honor to ac knowledge receipt of your com munication of the 1st Inst., In which on behalf of Candidate E. E. Straw, you decline the Invitation of the Citizens' League to meet Candidate I. S. Smith in a discussion of the issues of the campaign, and you state that the reason of your declina tion is that there are no Issues to discuss. I beg to inform you that the sup porters of Candidate Smith do not concede your position with reference to the lack of issues in the present mayoralty campaign, but we do place before you the following sub jects of debate which aro issues in this campaign and upon which the people of Marshfleld desire a full and free discussion: 1. Mayor Straw exhibited a lack of business foresight and judgment In the purchase of the street roller, and the tennis court on Knob Hill. -. Mayor Straw uas failed to conduct the business or the city in a business-like manner and the bamo Is proven by the necessity of the Is suance of bonds for running ex penses. 3. Through Mayor Straw's ad ministration wage and material have cost the 'city more money than a private Individuals because of the -discount of warrants, and the per sons benefiting thereby were the bankers who could afford to buy and .hold the warrants. ' 4. The present cash basis of the ity was brought about by the ef forts of Councilmen Powers and Hennessey working together with the supporters of- Candidate Smith, And the appointment of said council men was forced by the supporters of Candidate Smith after mayor Straw liad resorted to a law suit to enforce Jils personal choice. 5. After Mayor Straw had sent -for Contractor McCann, ho failed In an attempt to obtain work for Mc Cann but turned McCann -over to other citizens of the -city to arrange for contracts, and within twenty- four hours, citizens -who wero not officials of this city, liad taken charge of tae paving mat ter and had signed .up several blocks of paving, and the efforts of thoso private individuals and not of Mayor Straw wero responsible for the be ginning of tho paving Improvement. 6. Tho flro ordinance of tho city under Mnyor Straw's administration has been a farce and enforced with partiality. 7, Tha people of the city want' to know whether Mayor Straw was really nominated at tho caucus held for that purpose, or whether ho was Jn reality put up by a secret caucus of a fow inon held In the office of Snover & Feoney only a fow days previous. And tho people would like to know If it Is a fact that that se cret caucus was dominated by city contractors and if, at that caucus every man was named who was ex pected to nominate or becoiul a nom ination. 8. Why docs Mnyor Straw, in contravention of tho custom of American politics, seek a thlul torm election? Why, aftor ho has receiv ed tho honor of tho people and, ns he says, has neglected his private business to Its detriment, should ho seok a further Injury to that private ' business? All of tho nbovo mattors nndmnny others aro being discussed by the voters of this city In flio present FOR STRAW MAYOR STRAW'S STATEMENT. Editor Times: Answering the in quiry published in your issue of yes terday, would I publicly disclaim a purpose if elected mayor to supplant J. W. Carter as city marshal by the appointment of Levi Smith, I, then, publicly declare that while J. W. Carter continues to be as efficient an officer as he lias been in the past, I snail not supplant aim by the ap pointment ob Levi Smith or any other man; and I further thus pub licly declare that I will not appoint Mr. Walter Condron 'as nlghtwatch. E. E. STRAW. MR. BUTLER'S FINAN CIAL STATE3IENT Editor Times: In your issue of ypsterday, and over the signature of Mr, John W. Butler, city recorder, and that of Mr. C. A. Johnson, chair man of the League, appears what purports to be a summary of the city's financial affairs during Mayor Straw's administration which was evidently Intended to, and which does seriously reflect upon that ad ministration If true. Mr. Butler, as recorder of the city jand the custodian of its recoids Is in a position to secure exact fig As such officer, his statement inv ports .verity; it is practically an of flclal statement, and should carry and in tho minds of many doubtless has carried much weight. Either Mr. Butler knew his figures and statements to be accurate or he should have withheld them. A false or misleading statement seriously reflecting upon an official may, in the minds of some, be par donable when made by a partisan newspaper, but such a statement emanating from' the custodian of the records will not be viewed so charitably by those who aro willing and anxious to accord to every man a "square deal." Wo quote Mr. Butler: "Four years ago, tho city had a debt of approximately $15,000, a large part of which was incurred for the construction of a sewer. At present the dobt of the city amounts to ?G4,000 and our property has been mortgaged for that amount." On the first dny of January, 1906, when Mayor Straw went Into office, Messrs. Poyntz and Lockhart, both roputauio citizens and expert ac- coijntaDts, and directed to ascertain the warrant Indebtedness of the city, found the snmo to be $24,-C35.-)3,.or ?9,G35.43 in excess of Mr. Butler's. Tin 1 Mr. Butler computed that in debtedness before' making his un qualified statement? If not, why not? As to tho present indebtedness of tho city, wo are not In possession of nccurate information, and aro there fore not in a position to give tho same, but unless Mr. Butler is pre pared to say his figures aro based ports and rumors by word of mouth lu secret caucus, alley or dark cor ner, but wo do want these matters discussed" before tho peoplo, with tho' dther fellow presont nnd given an opportunity to deny or explain, and then the voters can get a clear idea of tho honest condition 'of af fairs and' bnso their Judgment ac cordingly. Thnt the voters may be enlighten ed In regard to tho abovo matters and any others that may bo raised, on bohalf of Candidnto Smith, I do ehallongo your candidate, Mayor E. K. Straw, to a joint debate with ppudldate Smith at such time nnd cimpalgn and tho facts lu regard to place as we may agree upon. And tlieeo mattors should bo put before jnotlco Is hereby given that In ense tho voters that thoy may vote Intel-1 this challenge Is refused, Candidate llgontly Tho supporters of Smith! Smith will himself tako up 'these desire a campaign In the open, ba-, nwtJtps and dlscuts thorn from the fore the peoplo, and if there Is any fkoleton In the closet, now la tho time to bring It out. Wo do not be 'llovo that it is propor to circulate re- p'.atform. Very resuoctfully, P. A JOHNSON, chairman. JOHN W. BUTLER, Secretary. upon the records, we have faith In the approximate correctness of our estimate, which is $51,000, or $3,000 less. Then follows this paragraph: "What has been- dono with the $39,000 of indebtedness that has been incurred during the last four years? Has It oeen spent for city Improvements? No, tho facts are the abutting property owners have paid for the city improvements out of tholr own pockets. "Is it not a fact that this $39,000 was spent for a street roller, for un improved property not needed for city purposes, and for a deficit in the running expenses of the city gov ernment." It will appear that there, is not "$39,000 to bo accounted for," but only the sum of $26,364.57. And that the city has not paid out money for street Improvements will be seen to be another reckless state ment upon reference to tho subjoin ed showing of expenditures made during this administration, during which the population of Marshfleld has increased, from 2,000 to practi cally 5,000, thus necessitating in creased expenditures. The much-derided steam roller cost $3,600. Tho Seaman lot cost $2,650. The raising of the city hall, the construction of an addition thereto, and other work on same, cost $2, 650. Fitting up recorder's office with books, typewriter, filing cabinet, etc., and chairs for council rooms, cost $300. Improvement of Front street In front of city hall, cost $593. 4S. Improvement of Park avenue cost $1,008.95. Drain on same cost $100. Lowering sewer on Broadway cost $156.35. Lowering sewer on Alder street cost $100. Sewers and manholes cost $385. Making and placing steel cells for jail cost $908. Surveying .Mill Slough (Mr. Al brecht's plan) cost $170. Fitting up and supplying city en gineer's office, including a level, cost $2,35. . ' The chemical engine cost $750. Fire hose cost $2,000. Dredging, building and other ex penses connected with the ferry landing, cost $1,386.62. Witness and attorney fees and other expenses incident to B street litigation, cost $1,200. Making a total expenditure of $18,025.40, aBide from "running ex penses." And let it be kept In mind that every expenditure except that for B street is represented by a live asset, and when the reader balances these assets, even Mr. Butler's Indebted ness figures are not so staggering as he evidently hoped the people would consider them. Which of these Items may fairly be placed in the'"reckless adminis tration" class? Go over them again, carefully con sidering each item, and then ,re-read Mr. Butler's sage and ominous con clusion: "Let the reader keep in mind, too, that the bond Issue was Intended to cover the purchase of the end of B street, $7,500, another asset and an absolute necessity." In conclusion, why does not Mr. Butler, who as the custodian of the records, has all, of the figure'; im ne diately available, give out a full and Itemized statement, that the people may themselves asceitain how near ly they aie hovering on the brink of bankruptcy. Surely a leaguo official should be to the forefront with the indubitable evidences of an Impending municipal calamity. 'Will Mr. Butler furnish the figures or will he withhold them and ask the public to a'ceept his bald state ment that the city is going to tho bad and that the administration is incapable? The peoplo would pre fer tho figures we think, and we also think that if tho figures all of the figures would mako nny such showing ns Mr. Butler has offered, he would hnve blazoned them forth long since. ADMINISTRATION CLUB. A New Pa&p For a HoBe T.M.,.ltS mnr iiocklnci? We're Rot n article tint we guarantee agatnat bole; or I rlpi fot lx monthi. No "III" or anil ' U 1 bole ocrciopi you get a ccw pair. hosiery Thaneweitldealnttoekinc. Made to wear; not onlr to tell, That'i whr we guarantee them absolutely. FOR SALE BY' R FOR MEN AND WOMEN An Xmaspresent that will last for a year. Six Pairs Six Months Twelve Pairs One Year SEE WINDOW DISPLAY ALL COLORS, BLUE, TAN BURGUNDY, STEEL GRAY, CILYMPAIGN AND BLACK, IN SILK, LISLE AT 3.00 FOR O PAIRS, AND EGYPTIAN COTTON AT $1.50 FOR b PAIRS. 1JUY NOW. IMJU.L .1 MARSHFIELD, ORE. iAaiyiBgfcaSAaW1 lftrsftcrtcaws! 50 Prices $4. o a a 68- U WORLD FAMOUS $ m4 $4,00 CO They are chuck full of style and service. The sooner yon get a pair on your feet, the sooner yoia will have good solid com as well as saving some money. We sell-our shoes cheaper because, we sell more shoes than any other dealer on Coos Bay, therefore we do not require such large profit to run our business. f. T. Sullivan, Manager First Trust and Savings Bank Building, Opp. Chandler b o CO $3.00 wgjtfaKflwtftt Ow $3.50 Prices ' $4J FOR A SQUARE REAL IN GRO CERIES SEE THE Grocery WE GUARANTEE IT. Give us your money and wo will Give You Tour Greenes And you will go home well pleased. History Repented. The Chosen Peoplo did not reach Their goal by following their noses, Tho pages of the Scripture teach That they wero wisely led by Moses. And now the story of the polo In each particular dlsclosos, That Cook and Peary found goal But they wero led by Esklraoses, Life. the Wo have tho finest line of canned goods that ever came to Marshfleld. "ALL GOLD" Once you try them you will always bo our customer. Wo lrnve all kinds of fresh and dried fruits obtainable and fresh vegetables every day. Flour and feed of all kinds. QllivanU Weaver Cor. Centnil Ae. nnd Third Street. Phone 275 Satisfaction and Happiness When thoroughly satisfied most people are happy. We do not make any clairtis of dispensing happiness but wo do claim to give satisfaction and that helps. We try and have everyone of our customers thorough ly satisfied with their treatment here. Good Groceries, Fair Treatment, prompt delivery and reasonable prices aro the Ingredients in our re cipe for satisfaction and success. Let us fill your next order and try It. No transaction Is closed until you aro satisfied. C W. Wolcott FAMILY GROCER tt-tt-twt-tt-tt-twj-it-tt-tt-tt-ti- B , THERE'LL COME A TIME ' When you'll want better laundering than you get now (if you're not al ready getting Marshfleld Hand and Steam Laundry work), and then we'll have the opportunity to Bhow you why so many hundreds of Coos Day men and women prefer our laundering. Why not try us now and get the best work n.ade possible by the use of up-to-the-minute methods. MARSHFIELD HANI) AND STEAM " LAUNDRY PROVE 2U0..I Try Times' Want Ads. i Skeamer Wilhelmma LUDVJG CHRISTENSEN, Master. V Bailing for Bandon every Monday. For full Information, apply Clias Thorn owner, or Tom James, agent. tt I Electric Sign By Day and by I Night an f tt tt i tt i tt i tt i tt tt i t: tt t :: i tt i :: i u t tt t tt tt i tt i tt tt . t tt tt it i tt k t tt i tt n-tJ-tt-tt-tt-tt-n-H-a-a-a-a- Talks For You. It is a thing of beau ty and brings trade every day. COOS' BAY GAS & ELECTRIC CO. UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, THE GARDEN CITY CLEANING AND PRESSING WORKS, REMOD ELING AND REPAIRING SOLICIT ED. FRENCH DRY CLEANING A. SPECIALTY. OVER CLUB CIGAR. STORE, FRONT ST., PHONE 200-V-, A -yi. - ,-tf." i.-fc-3fc.jf i Vj..