Discussion an System of Work Leads to a Crisis

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 75, 19 March 1914, Page 5

Discussion an System of Work Leads to a Crisis

East Riding Members Tender Resignations.

Engineer at Once Takas Similar lotion.

The Stratford County Council yesterday held a protracted sitting, lasting until 6.30 p.m. It was the most heated sitting for soma years, and, it may be, the most important sitting in the history of the County. The iMinciple over which the crisis occurred was one of great importance; much heat was displayed in the discussion, and certain parties took mortal Offence; and tho only hope which can be expressed is that out of the general overturn seme good may result to the County. This remark is made without any reference to the merits of the case, on which ratepayers should bo able to form an accurate opinion from the full report of proceedings here given. Briefly put, the crisis contains the following ingredients; The Engineer recommended to make for better work and supervision that (a) the foremen in the East Riding be reduced from three to one and (b) that all works outside maintenance be done by contract. The contract proposal was generally agreed to, but the reduction of foremen was opposed by tho East Riding members. The recommendations were adopted. Then the East Riding members moved that the Engineer be dispensed with, merely retaining him as consulting Engineer, and that an overseer be appointed for the whole County. This motion was defeated and the East Riding members at once wrote out their resignations and left the room. Before the meetting closed, tho Engineer’s resignation had also to be accepted.—So matters stand to-day; and County ratepayers can only hope that from this unfortunate happening something good may grow. *

At the press table at yesterday’s meeting of the Stratford County Council it was impossible to tell until the , bursting thereof that anybody intended to throw a bomb. But yesterday in the Council room on the. southeastern corner of Broadway and Victoria Road there did actulaly and veritably be thrown and explode a bomb, the sound of which will reach into the household of every County ratepayer and resident. Early in the sitting the chairman handed out to members a document, stating that it was from the Engineer, and that it was not necessarily for publication. A few members perused it, but showed no signs of agitation in the perusal. Even, when it was read out in open Council the arguments of Councillors . thereon did not indicate in any degree that the document was loaded with the lyddite and peroxylin of County politics. This fact only became painfully evident when the bomb burst with ah actuality and veritability plain and indubitable.