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About Oregon City courier. (Oregon City, Or.) 1902-1919 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1914)
207 Sefon St, ! Portland Ore IGOE TY The Courier ia the Official State paper for Oregon for the Farmers So. ciety of Equity, and has the largest circulation from Portland to Salem. If you want to buy, sell or trade, try a small ad in The Courier the best ad vertizing medium in Clackamas County and you will get the desired results. OREGON CITY, ORE., THURSDAY, JAN. 1, 1914. 31st YEAR No. 32 LP E WANTS ROADS AT HOME,, BUT NOWHERE ELSE NEEDY FARMER'S HOT LETTER Thinks Eldorado Man Takes Selfish View of Road Matters Needy, Oregon, December 26. Editor Courier: I have been a reader of the Courier for a number of years and have carefully read the commun ications printed in your paper from citizens interested in the up-building of Clackamas County, and especially the improvement of county roads. Some of the communications spring from selfish minds and are actuated to a. large degree by selfish interests. A few days since I read an article published in your paper written by . one Robert Schubel, who seems to be frothing at the mouth for the reason that there is a movement on foot to improve a road commonly known as the Pacific Highway, and upon which Schubel does not live,' and therefore he seems to have serious objections to the building of that particular highway, but the people living up in our section of the country who pay heavy taxes each year for road im provements are entitled to some con sideration from the County Court of Clackamas County as the improve ment of the Pacific Highway would be of great benefit to scores of far mers living up in our section of the county as that is the only means by which we can get to our county seat without paying tribute to the South ern Pacific Railroad. For years we have received only a small fraction of the money which we have paid into the county road fund and men like Schubel and a great many others living in this sect ion of the country, have been receiv ing our road money on the Molalla Road and on the Clark and the High lands Roads,, and we have set back and let the good work go on. Now when we come to the County Court and ask that a certain amount of money be used for the improvement of our road so that we may be able to get to our county seat on a road equally as good as the Molalla Road, we find men like Schubel bitterly pro testing against the improvement of our road although for years they have taken our road money to en-, hance the value of their property by improving the County Road from the county seat toward their land. I have never had the pleasure of meeting this man Schubel but from the information gathered in the last few days I find that he is a man who is very quiet when he is receiving the benefits from the taxes of other people but is against any improve ment wherein he is not directly bene fited. This information is obtained not from one man nor from the high collared gentry which he mentions, but from several men who have been benefited in the past at our expense. If Mr.- Schubel would stop and think for one moment that the im provement of the Pacific Highway goes through a farming section from Oregon City to Canby and southerly to Aurora, and that tributary to that road hundreds of the best farms in Clackamas County would be benefited by its improvement. The people liv ing in the Needy precinct, Macks burg, Barlow, Canby, and all of that territory east of Canby but tributary to the road, and from there to Ore gon City, pay heavy, tribute to the road fund each year on account of the high valuation of the farms, also the high valuation of the Southern Pacific which traverses that same section of the county, and as a matter of fact the taxable property tributary to the Molalla Road which has received thousands of dollars of our money over in Mr. SchubeFs section, and we submit that we are entitled to some little consideration for what we have done in the past in contributing to the road fund for which we have received but little consideration. I am always pleased to hear a man argue for something that is just, bat when a man like Robert Schubel who contributes a trifle each year in taxes, and who has received great benefits from the taxes paid by the tax payers living in our section of the contry by having his own road to the county seat improved, and then throw back his ears and kick because we are ask ing that our just proportion of the road funds be used to help ourselves, then I think it is time to ask the gentleman to explain his position in a more sensible light. . I am acquainted with a laree num ber of those men who are agitating tne improvement of the Pacific High way, whom Schubel calls the "high collared gentry" and I am frank to confess that among those with whom I am acquainted pay more taxes each year than Mr. Schubel would pay in a dozen years, and whv he finds fault with those men who are at tempting to assist us I am unable to understand, unless it is the fact that he likes to hear himself bray. It is true there are a large number or people who will come down through Willamette Valley -toward Portland and enjoy the benefits of this same BE 1 road known as the Pacific Highwey, and as matter of fact they have a right to expect a reasonably good road over which to travel and it also benefits Clackamas County to furnish them a good road over which to travel, but at the same time we farmers, and when I say we farmers I mean we farmers who pay heavy taxes each year, and who have lived in this county and made greater improve ments than Robert Schubel ever has made, and who are equally entitled to go to their county seat by team or automobile as Mr. Schubel is, while living out in his section of the coun-, try, and why a man becomes so nar row minded and contracted as to deny us that right when we pay for it ourselves I am unable, to understand. I have just examined some of the expenditures of Clackamas County for each year from the road fund iVi Mr. Schubel's district, and also in those districts leading out toward the Schubel postoffce where his brother lives, and find that during each year for the last twelve years, the County Court has expended from three to seven timgs as much road money on those- particular roads as the tax payers in the road districts have paid in, and I also find that the County Court has taken a large part of that money from our section of the coun ty and gave it to those roads leading to the Shubel postoffice and Robert Schubel's farm, and we have been the ones who- have been compelled to pay the bill, and now when we ask a little consideration over in our section of the cdlmty, then Schubel gets busy with his pencil and attempts to make it appear that we are seeking some thing that we are not entitled to. We ask the- tax payers of Clack amas County to simply figure the amount of road money that we have paid in to the County Treasury dur ing the last ten years from taxable property adjacent to the Pacific High way, and then take the expenditures during that same time and say wheth er or not we are entitled .to an im proved road the jgame as other sect ions of the county have received, and not be swayed by any foolish letters written by Robert Schubel or any other person who is ignorant of the true situation. - Respectfully, Equality. See This Only in Oregon Christmas day J. S. Kirvin, who lives on Clackamas Heights, picked a strawberrry plant and brought it to this office on which were blossoms, green and ripe, berries on the same stem. The climate and soil of the Wil lamette Valley can push up and pull up most anything. The Morning After Last night 10 saloons closed in our city. One fellow who had a "glorious (hie) good time" the night before had forgotten the verdict of the vot ers, and had not provided his hip pocket with a bracer. He came out of a rooming house, and headed for the nearest thirst emporium. The door was closed. He stared a minute in wonder, then comprehension broke over him. He looked up the street, down the street with a look of genu ine disgust over his dry face. And then he exclaimed "oh hell!" When Will They Learn? Here is a sample of many letters and post cards the Courier receives. It i3 without a postoffice, date line qr signature. Sir Please, send my paper to 4328 Milwaukie St., Denver, Colo. We can't. We have no't a mind reader's license. W don't know who the subscriber is and have no means of delivering. This is simply an illustration. We get any number of address changes and often have to hunt through sev en routes and the city list to find where the subscriber is now. Be careful about these matters. State where you get your paper now and when you ask for a change in address. BEGINNING OF THE END Locks Transfer Expected to be Fi nally Tied Up This Month B. T. McBain, acting as a repre sentatie from the commercial club, to ascertain what , progress is being made in regard to the transfer of the private locks to the government, reports that the assistant U. S. attor ney, E. A. Johnson, advises him that U S. Attorney Reams has sent all the papers to the attorney general; that there will be no further delay in the transfer, and that this month will probably see the transfer made and the matter closed. Let us hope once more. For two and a half years we have been given periodical promises, while the South ern Pacific rejoices. The completion of the canal will mean much to the Willamette Valley, and much to Oregon City. With open free locks the river should be a com mercial highway, and with' a reduc tion of 60 cents per ton on freight, the S. P. will have to meet the com petition, and lowered freight rates are bound to result Locally the big project will make things hum. It will take about two years to dig the big canal and it will give employment to about 200 men. There is talk of a big celebration in the city when the matter is finally tied up. . The work is a- big one. It calls for an expenditure of about $700,000. It will provide a great, open river for navigation, take off 50 cents per ton now imposed on cargoes. CLACKAMAS RANKS SIXTH IN VALUE ASSESSMENT ROLLS REFLECT WEALTH OF RESOURCES TAXES PAID ON $30,521,327 Manufacturing Plants Are Second in State in Point of Cost The assessed valuation of property in Clackamas county, based upon the summary prepared by the State Tax Commission, shows Clackamas to rank sixth in the state, with a total assess ed valuation of $30,521,327.12. This figure is based upon a 55 per cent valuation, and proves Clackamas county to be one of the richest in the state. Only three other counties,, in fact, exceed the Clackamas county fi gure by any appreciable extent, Mult nomah, Lane and Douglas. Of the above valuation $24,601,560 represents the strictly county resour ces, which are assessed and taxed di rectly by the county assessor's office. The balance of $5,919,767.12 is the county's share of the assessment of large public service companies operat ing throughout the state, sucfi as railroads, sleeping car concerns,' ex press, telepgraph and telephone com panies, and other inter-state and inter-county industries. The assessment roll shows that Clackamas- County has a generous and fair distribution of its wealth. Till able lands to the extent of 101,121 acres show an average value of $60.48 giving a total assessed valuation of $6,115,340. Non-tillable lands total 527,745 acres, with a total assessed valuation of $9,717,520, or an average of $18.41 per acre. This, based on a 55 per cent valuation, corresponds closely t o the market value of lands throughout the county. Farming implements in the coufity are assessed at a total of $188,055; while merchandise and stocks in trade in the various .stores of the county show a total valuation of $499,550. In the value of its manufacturing ma chinery and - apparatus allied with manufacturing, Clackamas county ranks second in the state, with a fi gure of $711,305. Hotel and office fur niture is assessed at $18,295, which, though Clackamas county is mainly an agricultural county, gives jt a rank of 12th in the state in this line. Livestock makes an important di vision of the county's taxable prop erty, and the assessed valuations are as follows: ' 7,663 horses and mules, $388,280; 12,302 cattle, $271,100; 13,072 sheep and goats, $20,325; 6,179 hogs and swine, $30,555; 1,756 dogs, $10,600. Over one million dollars in value of ;a:lroad property is apportioned to Cidamas county for taxation pur poses; while $4,694.40 is the county's apportioned amount of the value of inter-urban railroad property, power plants, water, gas and electrical con cerns. Telephone companies must pay a tax in the county on an apportioned value of over $115,0Q0; while tele graph compaies will . be taxed on a value of $12,137, and express com panies on $15,202. On this valuation the county court has set a total levy of 20 mills, di vided as follows: state tax, 5.1 mills; county tax 2.4 mills; school tax, 3.1 mills; indebtedness, 1.4 mills. The school levy will yield $93,000, and in addition to this a special school levy of $116,463 has been voted. Special road taxes will yield $74,390 and the levy for cities will give $46,342. "JACK" FROST FOR SHERIFF Political Rumors Say he Will be Pri mary Candidate Political rumors have it that Con stable "Jack" Frost will be a Repub lican .- candidate for sheriff at the spring primaries, and that he Will get in the game and make an aggressive campaign. Frost, as police officer and con- fstable has made, fully good. They say of him that "he gets there and gets back." He is always on the job, reliable, and an everlasting hustler. If he goes into the race the boys will all know he is a' candidate, for his past records will make him a very lively opponent. The Dead Right Spirit The Elks and Moose Orders did the fight thing when, respecting the sen timent of the city voters, both orders have closed their buffets, and no more liquors will be served. These actions will be highly appreciated. BRIGHT FOR 1914. The future of Oregon City never looked as bright as at the present time, and 1914 starts in like a happy new year indeed. Two railroads are building in, the big locks canal is nearly ready to start, a flax mill looks probable; a creamery and canning factory are being considered, and all these on top of great mills that have month ly payrolls aggregating about $100, 000. Oregon City is the best town of its size on the Pacific coast 1914 here's to you. Appreciated Present A Macksburg farmer brought thirteen new paid in advance sub scribers to the Courier the day before Christmas. River Steamer Sinks The "Oregona" owned by the Ore gon City Transportation Co., ran into the government dredge off Magoon's park Saturday last, in a fog, knock, ed a big 'hole in her hull and sank. She was loaded with Portland freight The cargo was immediately hoisted out and the boat has been raised. Equity meeting Jan. 10 , A very interesting quarterly meet ing of the Society of Equity will be held in this city Saturday of next week, January 10, at which time Harvey G. Starkweather and W. S. U'Ren will talk, the former on the matter of rural credits abroad and the latter on the 'subject of a state market. WAITING FOR WEATHER Ogle Mine Ready tt Start as Soon as Snows will Permit Ogle Mine is practically ready to start. The cyanide plant is in, the three big vats, with a capacity of 900 tons each are completed, the 150 horse power steam plant is installed, and all other equipment is nearly ready to start the mine. It is now but a question of wait ing until the winter snows in the mountains will permit the rough roads to be used when operations will com mence. It requires about 1000 pounds of supplies daily to keep the plant running, and it is impossible to get this in at this time of year, as a man on foot has all he can do to make the mountain trails, Before another winter roads will be built that will permit an outlet. The mine was recently inspected by R. A. Watson, of tjie corporation department, under the "blue sky" law, and the mine was granted a permit to do business and sell stock. THE PEOPLE KNOW They Don't Have to Ask the Enter prise Before they Sign Petitions ," Closing an editorial on the matter of petition circulating the Enterprise says: An officer in this day and age would be more than justi fied in disregarding petitions that come to him because he knows just how the signatures are secured and hultvgy reas-... on to believe thatv the people who have signed those 'petitions in nine cases out of 10 do not know what the preliminary statement says. This coming at a time when a pe tition was in circulation asking Ma yor J,ones to approve the Carver fran chise as twice passed by the city council, would appear to be aimed at this petition, and this paper would state that the people DID know what they were signing and what they were asking for. . Nearly .. every business house on Main street signed the petition, and they knew what it was and what the preliminary statement read. Officials of the commercial club circulated the petition; business men of the city left their business and worked for signatures. They want a competing road to the P. R. L. & P. Co. The pri vate citizens, signed the' petition!. They know what railroads do for cities. It is twaddle to say that nine out of ten of the signers of the pe tition did not know what they asked for. They don't have to ask the Enter prise, and the Enterprise should look over the petition, and the men back of it before it makes such breaks. READY FEBRUARY 1 New Postoffice Building is Being Rushed by Contractors The new postoffice block is going up rapidly, and the contractors think the building will he ready to occ ipy about February 1. ' The building is brick tile, one story of classic design, with imitation stone front. The outside walls are 32x104 feet, and the inside will be partitioned into postmaster's private room, a clerks' workroom and a public lobby. The fixtures will all be oak, there will be 288 medium automatic keyless lock boxes, 24 automatic lock drawers, and a stand of regulation call boxes. The building will be used exclusive ly as a postoffice building, built ac cording to plans furnished by the government, and is leased by Paul Weisinger to the government for five years. Our present postoffice has long been a place the city has been asham ed of. Dark, inconvenient and with the front rooms rented to real es tate companies, a stranger would have to hunt for it The present place will be clean, light and convenient and will serve the growing city fairly well for five years, after which we trust the many time pigeon-holed federal appropria tion will be forth coming and the city have a postoffice of its size. Wanted! " (over 18 years of age) To operate SEWING Machines In garment factory Oregon City Woolen Mills E T RAND'S REPORT MADE AND CAMPAIGN STARTED SPECIAL ELECTION IS ASKED Enthusiastic Meeting Before Pure Water League Firm determination to get the question of the construction of an in dependent pipe-line from the south fork of the Clackamas to Oregon City before the people at the earliest pos sible moment was reached Tuesday vening at a meeting of the Oregon City Mountain Water League, at which Engineer H. A. Rands present ed his report. Following the reading of the report and an outline by City Recorder Stipp, of the legal action necessary, the executive committee of the league was instructed to take steps at once to have the city coun cial order an election in regard to the proposed bond issue to pay for the new water system. ; In presenting his report, which went into all details of the planned pipe-line to bring glacial water to Oregon City, Mr. Rands said that he had figured everything at contract prices, and had then allowed 20 per cent for engineering charges, contin gencies and so forth. His estimate for the completed pipe line was $2S8 000, and in the discussion that follow ed, it was declared by B. T. McBain and others, that this estimate was not only ample for the work in view, but would also provide funds for the construction of a reservoir, with a capacity of a week's supply of water for the city. It was the sentiment of the meeting that Mr. Rands include an estimate for such a reservoir in his final report. City Recorder Stipp said that the detail work of the construction of the proposed line, and the sale of its bonds, could probably best be hand led by a commission of five men, who, when they had completed the work, would turn the completed : pipe line over to the city for management. The cost of the project, it was pointed out, could be taken care of within twenty- Stream South Fork Fish Creek Roaring River . East Fork of South Fork Ml ITER Flow 8ept. 27, 1913. 24.2 cu. ft. per sec. (16,641,000 gal. in 24 hours) 18.2 cu. ft. per sec. (11,763,000 gal. in 24 hours) 56.8 cu. ft. per sec. (36,710,000 gal. In 24 hours) Not measured . Not measured West Fork of South Fork South Fork Area on Reserve South Fork Area not on Reserve six years from practically the present water revenues of Oregon City Sate of mountain water to West Linn, Gladstone and Canemah, would enable the debt to be paid all the sooner, or would make possible a reduction in lo cal water ra,tes with the payment to be made in the longer time. The in crease of population, with a corres ponding increase of the number of wa ter consumers, is expected, however, to make it possible to care for the proposed cost of the new system with out any increase in water rates after the first two or three years. Enthusiasm was constant at the meeting, and it was the general feel ing that the plan for mountain water as outlined, would be readily adopted by the voters of the city. It is hoped to get the matter before the people before the end of the winter, so that pleted by the end of the year. Especially favorable terms can be obtained from bond-buyers by the city, it was declared, owing to the determination to issue serial retiring bonds, with the first series due in from two to three years. Calculations made indicate that the entire cost of the project, as well as the present wa work on the construction of the pipe line can be started with the coping of better weather, and can be com ter debt of $48,000 can be met and paid off within considerably less than the expected life of the pipe-line, re gardless of whether the city increases in population or not The sentiment of the meeting was enthusiastically in favor of the con struction of the pipe-line, as outlined by Engineer Rands. His report, cov ering all phases of the matter, is as follows: To Dr. L. A. Morris: I have been asked by your organiza tion to make a survey and prepare an estimate for a pipe line to bring water from the South Fork of the Clackamas River to Oregon City as a supply to re place that now provided by the pump ing and Alter plant. Agreeable to this, I would state that I have made the supvey and would re spectfully report as follows: Tha 8ource. The South Fork of the Clackamas River Is a stream of sparkling, pure water having its source and entire course amid the wild and rugged slopes of the Cascade mountains. The flow, as measured by a representative of the U .8. Geological Survey on Sept. 27th of the present year, amounted to 24,2 cu. ft. per second , which corres ponds to 15,641,000 gallons In 24 hours. This figure, if in error at all, is on the safe side, as engineers of the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company have measured this stream for Beveral years past and have never recorded so low a flow. The water shed, or catchment area, of the stream as tak en by , planlmeter measurement from the large Forest Service map amounts to 29 square miles, and, as the pro posed intake is but one-half mile from the stream's mouth, all the low water flow and practically the entire catch ment area la tributary to the proposed pipe line. ; East and West Forks. One-half mile, or to be exact 3,200 feet, from its mouth the South Fork proper is formed by the coming togeth er of two streams of nearly equal size called the East and West Forks. So far as 1 know, no measurements have been made of the flow of these streams separately, and at the time this work was initiated heavy rains had raised all the streams above the;r minimum or low. water flow so that measure ments made then would have been of no value as affecting the problem in hand. The West Fork, according to the Forest Service map has a catch ment area of 15.2 and the East Fork 13.2 square rdiles, but as the areas have little relation to minimum run off, we can judge little from this compari son. A stream having steep rocky slopes and generally rugged topo graphy will be "flashy" with frequent sudden floods after every storm, and will have avery low minimum flow, while a stream with gentle slopes, or better yet, with its sources in lakes and ponds will have few freshets, and will maintain a fair flow even during the dry season. From a study of the map I am Inclined to the belief that the West Fork has rather the better of It as regards the low water flow, but I do not believe the East Fork will ever fall below 10 second feet and as this equivalent to 6,463,000 gallons in 24 hours it alone will supply Oregon City for some time to come. West Fork In part not on Reserve. I have gone into this matter of flow at some length as the West Fork 1b in part in T. 53, R. 4E. and so is not on the Forest Reserve. This area out side the Reserve amounts to 6.4 squaro miles and has been patented, the odd sections to the Oregon & California Railroad, and the even sections to the Northern Pacific Railroad, excepting section 36 which belongs to the state of Oregon. O. & C. lands may revert to the United States in which event they will undoubtedy be added to the Reserve, and possibly, by the time Ore gon City will need the flow of the West Fork, the other patentees may be pre vailed upon to take other lands pro vided the matter were taken up witn the proper authorities. , Other 8treams. . The flow in Roaring River and Fisn Creek was also measured by the engi neer of the U. S. Geological Survey on the same day that he measured the flow ot the South Fork, Sept. 27th, 1913, and the facts concerning all these streams iippearvin'tl)e table be. low. , " Catchment Area 29 sq. miles 43 sq. miles 42 sq. miles 13.2 sq. miles 15.2 sq. miles 22.6 sq. miles 6.4 sq. miles The flow of the North Fork was not measured by the engineer of the U. S. Geological Survey on the day that he measured the other streams. The summer flow of this stream is very Bmall and near the mouth at least very poor as td quality. It is more of u valley, than a mountain stream anc not at all suited for a municipal water supply. The Intake. At the point where the East and West Forks unite to form the ma:n South Fork the elevation Is 786 fee:. For the reason that the West Fork is not on the Reserve, as well as for the faM thnt a dam nnrnfln one fork will be cheaper than one across the entire stream, and for the further fact that the gain in head is needed In clearing tha Si.rlnewntnr rlde-e. it Is deemed best to locate the Intake 200 feet up the East Fork which, with the small diversion dam necessary, win mane tho Infnlro nt plpvnMnn ROD ft. It would be' best, In lieu of a settling basin, to run a box nume tor auout il font nnd. should occasion arise, it would be an easy matter to run a smaller branch flume up the West Fork. The intake works, con sisting of a timber crib dam 5 or o tent hleh with screens over the Intake proper will involve small expense. ' Wood 8tave Pipe, Mnl nfivnn urn rinuhtlfiBS familiar with wood stave pipe, but for such as are not I will, In a rew woras, uescrme it. WnnA alnvo nine In of two kinds. viz: "Machine Banded" and "Contin uous Stave." Machine Banded Pipe Is made up in 8 to 20 foot lengths in the shop and derives its strengtn rrom tne wire which is wound spirally around its mitnlrfo Tha onrlfl urn made slightly conical and are joined consecutively in the Held, except in me gmauer sizes which telescope together, by col ior similar In rhnatructlon to the pipe itself. It is usual practice to dip this pipe in not BBpnaitum aim uum tar after which, while the coating is .(lit hnf tha nlnn In rnllnd In saw dllSt and this it Is that gives this pipe Its peculiar "corny" appearance. it is made In sizes from 2 Inches to 24 Inches, but, from its bulky character which results in large freight and hauling bils, its Inadaptability for bending around short turns, and Its l;ss smooth Interior, as compared to that next described, it is not recom mended for this work for sizes above 14 inches. Continuous Stave Pipe is put togeth er in the field, and derives Its strength from round steel rods which encircl ing it are drawn tight by nuts and shoes provided for that purpose. The longitudinal seams are made tight by a tongue similar to that of a flooring Continued on Page 4 BOTH FRANCHISES BYTHE BOARD MAYOR JONES VETOES GRANTS AND COUNCIL CONCURS TECHNICAL ERRORS ABE FOUND Uncertainty About Street Grades and Transfers Main Objections At a special council meeting held Wednesday afternoon Mayor Linn E. Jones vetoed both the franchises granted the Clackamas Southern and the Portland & Oregon City rail roads. Councilmen Horton, Albright, Holman, Metzner, Long, Myer ' and Tooze, the only ones at the meeting, voted unanimously to sustain the ve toes. In presenting his vetoes, Mayor Jones said that he did so because there was no provision in either of them that the roads should conform to the grades of parts of Water 1 and Fifteenth street, and that owing to the wording of the franchises ' it would be possible for the lines to con struct three sets of tracks on Fif teenth street between Center and Wa ter, and three on Water street from Fifteenth to Twelfth. The mayor al so believed that the transfer sec tions were not sufficiently manda tory; and suggested that to remedy these defects revised sections be add ed to the franchise. Attorney Chris Schuebel, who at the request of the mayor, had pre pard altered sections to replace those to which there were objections, ex plained the changes proposed, after which Councilman Holman moved for the revision of the Carver franchise, and its re-presentation for first read ing, at a Bpecial session of the coun cil to have i been called Wednesday evening. .-.. Attorney H. E. Cross, represent ing the Carver road, at this point, said that he preferred that the coun cil take no further action () until he consult with Mr. Carver, and then to re-introduce the measure. Mr. Cross believed this to be the best way to get all parties agreed on the plan. Mr. Holman withdrew his motion, and discussion of the grades of the streets under discussion was taken up, In thee ourse of this, Mr. Cross'announ ced that: . "What our road wants, and what the council ought to do, is to establish the grade of Water street, particular ly by the Sommers and Charman properties. I don't know how many times people representing these in terests have been to us, asking us to buy this property. This Mr. Carver cannot, and will not do." After further discussion, in which it was admitted by the council that the establishment of the Water sreet grade was of paramount importance, Councilman Holman again moved for the revision of both franchises at once. Mr. Cross said he believed he should confer with Mr. Carver first, that any suggestions he might have could be given consideration by the council before first reading. Council man Myer agreed with Mr. Cross that Mr, Carver should be given a chance to study the proposed changes. Councilman Albright strenuously objected to any interpretation being put upon the proceedings that would make it appear that the ciy council had held up he franchise, and wanted the blame icr any delay that might rsuH to be shouldered by the railroad companies. Mr. Cross again explain ed his position, and Councilman Myer moved that the franchises be laid up on the table for the immediate pres ent On the . second of Councilman Holman the motion was passed, just as Councilman Tooze arose to make some further remarks upon the mat ter. Councilman Albright next took a hand at attempting to untangle the situation, and moved that the city re corder be ineructed to draw ordi nances that would establish grades of such sections of Fifteenth and Wa ter streets as were not already listed upon the city profiles, and that reso lutions for the establishing of the grades of Sixth, Eighth and Eleventh streets, from Main to Water streets, be prepared arid introduced at once. Both motions were unanimously adopted. The somewhat tense situation was then relieved when Councilman Al bright moved that the outgoing mem bers of the organization, then attend ing their last official meeting, extend to the incoming city fathers the best wishes for a happy new year. This motion passed with chortles of glee. Councilman Horton remarking that probably after the new man had been in office about six months they would regard the wishes as sarcasm. Ordinances declaring the assess ment rolls for the improvement of Fourth street, from Monroe to High; and for the appropriation of $2,1000 for details of sewer work on Seventh street, were passed' to second read ing. Just before council adjourned, Councilman Long arose and asked question. 'Mr. Mayor,' said he, "when we get the elevator built and all ready for the public, I. would like to know how we are going to lun it?" "I should worry,' answered His Honor, and the meeting broke up.