01/15/1940245
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MONDAY,
JANUARY 15, 1940 AT THE HOUR OF 8:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hobart M.
Ahbe, presiding, with Aldermen Carroll, Johnson, Henrich, Loos, Dopheide, Carlson,
Friott, Schwanbeck and Campagna responding to the roll call. (Alderman Lemke
was absent during the entire meeting.) The Clerk reported a quorum present.
- THE JUDICIARY AIdD ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: The bids received covering
the City's insurance requirements for the year 1940 having been referred to
the Judiciary and Assessment Committee, Alderman Carlson, chairman of the
said committee submitted the following minority report which was read by the
Clerk:
MINORITY REPORT
Re: Insurance
VD Des Plaines, Ill.
714 January 15, 1940
To the Mayor- and City Council:
The Judiciary and Assessment Committee has
reported and recommended to you the placing of various insurance requirements
of the City.
As that report is not the unanimous opinion
of the committee, I submit the following facts for your careful consideration:
1
The first two items known as #1 and #2 covering
the policies of Workmen's Compensation and Employees Liability Insurance and
Automobile Liability Insurance respectively, were recommended to be placed
with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company for a quoted amount of
$1,417.58.
This insurance could be placed with a company
having a superior rating and for the sum of $1,340.75 which would show an ad-
ditional saving of $76.83. This company operates under the laws of the State
of Massachusetts which are very stringent.
With the need for strict economy uppermost in
my mind, and satisfied that the interests of the people of Des Plaines are
amply protected, I, therefore urge you to carefully consider changing Items
#1 and #2 of the Committee's Report to read as follows:
#1 - Workmen's Compensation & Employees
Liability Insurance, and
#2 - Automobile Liability Insurance, to be placed with
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY ASSURANCE CORP.
Agent: Des Plaines Agency, Inc. Amount $1,340.75
Signed,
CLIFFORD CARLSON, Chairman
Judiciary and Assessment Committee
Upon the request of Aldermen Carroll and Schwanbeck Mayor Ahbe referred this
matter together with the said minority report back to the Judiciary and Assess-
ment Committee.
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT: Frank F. Scharringhausen, Building
Inspector then read the following report:
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
During 1939 there were 4,028 homes built in 77 suburbs of Chicago.
100 of these were built in Des Plaines, or approximately 21.
These 4,028 homes cost .40,680,545.00. Of this amount $509,413.00,
or 14% was for buildings in Des Plaines.
246
Building. Inspector's Report - cont'd.
Average Cost of the 4,028 homes was $6,289.00
Average Cost of the 100 homes was $5,094.00 (In Des Plaines)
Out of the 77 suburban towns listed by Bell Savings, Building and
Loan Company Report for the year 1939 Des Plaines was:
7th in the number of homes built
18th in the total value of homes built
17th in unit value of all suburbs
having $500,000.00 or more during the year 1939.
Des Plaines total Building Permits all classes 1937 $84,100.00
n " n n " tt " 1938 229,100.00
11 f, 11 0 II II 1939 583, 285.00
increase 1938 over 1937 of 272%
increase 1939 over 1938 of 2550
The outlook for building in Des Plaines for 1940 is that we will
exceed 1939 by a large margin.
The Building Inseptor predicts that we will reach the .;1,000,000.00
mark by Dec. 31, 1940.
This amount was reached by only 4 suburbs in 1939. They were Gary,
Evanston, Hammond and Niles Center.
Mayor Ahbe ordered this report placed on file.
REQUEST CUMBERLAND INTERCEPTOR SEWER.: The Clerk then read the fol-
lowing proposed resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, because of lack of appropriate drainage facilities, the
raw sewerage from the area known as "Cumberland" located in the vicinity of
the intersection of Wolf Road and Golf Road is emptied directly into :feller
Creek which in turn empties into the Des Plaines River and seriously contam-
inates the same, and
WHEREAS, considerable development is taking place in the said area,
and will probably continue to do so for some time, which will constantly in-
crease the said contamination, and
WHEREAS, a large industrial plant in the said area also contributes
serioulsy to the contamination of the said Weller Creek and the Des Plaines
River, and
WHEREAS, the said area lies within the boundaries of the Sanitary
District of Chicago, and has for years paid taxes to the said Sanitary District
without deriving any direct benefits therefrom;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Des Plaines,
Cook County, Illinois, that the Board of Trustees of the Sanitary District of
Chicago be, and the same is hereby respectully petitioned and urged to make
provisions in its 1940 budget, appropriation and tax levy, and to take such other
action as may be necessary to provide and construct and auxiliary interceptor
sewer to begin in the vicinity of tee intersection of Wolf and Golf Roads and
to emp#y into the recently complete&trunk interceptor sewer on River Road (ter-
minating at the intersection of Rand and River Roads), and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk be and he is hereby in-
structed to forward two certified copies of this resolution to the Board of
Trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Des Plaines this
day of A.D. 1940.
HOBART M. AIIBE, Mayor
EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH, City Clerk
247
The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman
Carroll to adopt this proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon by
acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said re-
solution adopted.
NOTICE OF PERSONAL INJURY SUIT: Kenneth G. Meyer, City Attorney,
then submitted the following notice:
STATE OF ILLINOIS ) SS
COUNTY OF -COOK
WALTER MESS )
)
-vs-
)
CITY OF DES PLAINES, )
a municipal corporation )
STATUTORY NOTICE
To: HOBART M. AHBE, Mayor of the City of Des Plaines
2118 Miner Street, Des Plaines, Illinois
EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH, City Clerk of the City of Des Plaines
836 Jeannette Avenue
KENNETH G. MEYER, City Attorney of the City of Des Plaines
77 West Washington Street, Chicago, Ill.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, that WALTER MESS, by his attorneys,
WRIGHT AND KAMIN and HARTMAN, HIGGINS H. RTMAN, is about to bring a
personal injury action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the
CITY OF DES PLAINES, a municipal corporation, and the said WALTER MESS
files herewith, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided,
the following of and concerning the aforesaid contemplated action, to -wit:
The name of person injured and to whom said action has
accrued is WALTER MESS.
The residence of the person injured is 305 N. Northwest
Highway, Barrington, Illinois.
The accident occurred on the 1st day of September, 1939,
at the hour of about 1:30 P.M.
Place of accident: in the street at the curb on the north
side of Willow Street, at or near Graceland Avenue, at or about 10 feet
east of the east crosswalk of Graceland Avenue, in the City of Des Plaines,
Cook County, Illinois.
Cause of accident: Claimant tripped and fell into uncovered
manhole at the above location, which manhole measured 20 inches by 15 inches.
Name and address of attending physician: Dr. Samuel Purves,
316 N. Lee St., Des Plaines, Illinois.,
Signed WALTER MESS
S
Claimant
WRIGHT & KAMIN and
HARTMAN, HIGGINS t. HARTMAN
His Attorneys, 188 W. Randolph
Street, Dear. 2722.
Received a copy of the within notice this clay of January, 1940.
City Attorney of the City of Des Plaines
STATE OF ILLINOIS ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK )
248
SYDEL, ELDAN, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that
whe served the above and foregoing Notice on Hobart M. Ahbe, Mayor of
the City of Des Plaines, 2118 Miner Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, and
Edgar J. Friedrich, City Clerk of the City of Des Plaines, 836 Jeannee
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois, by depositing a true and correct copy in
an envelope addressed to each of the above in the U.S. Post Office,
registering the same and requesting a return receipt, on the 12th day
of January, 1940.
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this 12th day
of January, 1940.
Notary Public
The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide
to refer this matter to the City Attorney
acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared
and seconded by Alderman Friott
The motion was voted upon by
the motion carried.
CLAIM IN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT NO. 130
lowing letter:
Mayor and City Government
City of Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
The Clerk then read the fol -
Jackson, Michigan
Jan. 10, 1940
About twelve years ago I having some money to invest I purchased
four bonds issued by your City as Follows: Series H.S.A. #130
Bonds #2,3,4, & 5 - 54,000.00
There has been but very little paid on the interest on these bonds
since December 31, 1928 and the principal became due April 31, 1937, and
only 4% paid on the principal.
This money was saved in a slow way through long hours and thrift
for use in old age as I was informed bonds issued by your City were perfectly
safe. I am now past 70 years of age and not in best of health, e>.nd I am
very much in need of this money for actual living expenses, and can you not
inform me that these bonds can now be paid. Your City had had the benefit
and growth of this money and I would be willing to make a sacrifice on
interest.
I sincerely hopeyou will be able to give me a favorable reply and
wish to thank you in advance.
Yours very truly,
Signed: FRANK M. PETERS
325 W. Wilkins Street
Mayor Ahbe referred this letter to the City Attorney.
COMPLAINT REGARDING TRESPASSING: The Clerk then read the following
Chicago, Illinois
January 11, 1940
letter:
City Council:
Dear Sirs:
Sorry to trouble you gentlemen with this matter, but I think it
requires your attention.
I am the owner of Lot 1, Block 3, corner Oxford and Columbia
in Cumberland Terrace.
I went out there last Christmas and was surprised to me the
conditon of the lot. It looks more like and alley. I talked to neighbors
and they said all the contractors drive their trucks over my property.
That ground is almost too hard to be plowed. I tried it. It's
as hard as a rock. I think this is entitled to your humble attention.
If necessary we will have to erect a sign prosecuting all tress -
passers.
249
I understand that the contractor who tresp.sses frequently is a
Mr. Olsen. I am referring to his truck, of course.
Hoping to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely yours,
Signed: HENRY S. KONOPA
3088 N. Elbridge Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
Mayor Ahbe referred this letter to the City Attorney.
REQUEST TO FILL IN PARKWAY: The Clerk then read the following
letter:
Des Plaines, Illinois
January 14, 1940
City. Council
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
I am writing this letter asking if you will please give us some
consideration in filling in the parkway in front of our house between the
sidewalk and "golf Road.
We have built our home recently in Cumberland Terrace (210 Wolf
Road) and are unable to use the driveway to our garage.
Due to the heavy rains we had yesterday and during the night my
husband was unable to get to work today as his car got stuck and we had to
have it towed out, which cost a nice bill.
It has cost us over $50.00 already from the Meyer Coal & Matti.
Co. to have the ground filled in, and we are wondering if you can't give
us some help in filling in the parkway. We understand that Des Plaines
will eventually take care of the parkway, but we would appreciate it if
you would put in a load or so of cinders, or gravel so that we can get in
or out of the garage without having to have the expense we have just had.
Trusting you will give this your kind attention, I am
Signed, Mrs. Chas. P. Rathmann
210 Wolf Road
Telephone 920-W
The motion was made by Alderman Campagna and seconded by Alderman Johnson to
refer this letter to the Streets and Sidewalks Committee for study and report.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the
motion carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS (1939): The Finance Committee, through its
chairman Alderman Johnson then introduced the following proposed resolution:
(Bills Applicable to 1939 Budget)
RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE
AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK
BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE PROPER VOUCHER WARRANTS
IN PAYMENT OF THE SAFE.
5143 Middle States Tel. Co.
5145 Public Service Co
5147 Zephyr Cafe
5149 Rocky's Service Station
5151 Nielsen's Studio
5153 Middle States Tel. Co.
5155 Middle States Tel. Co.
5157 D P Mere Co.
5159 Wm. G. Ville Sery Sta
5161 Monroe Electric Co
5163 Nagel's Sales & Sery
5165 Middle States Tel Co
5167 International Filter Co
5169 Marblehead Lime Co
5171 Public Service Co
5173 City Clerk Petty Cash
5175 Meyer Coal & Mat'l Co
5177 Herbert Rickert
37.00
449.96
2.01
101.67.
.66
8.00
5.15
2.45
10.78
70.69
6.70
4.30
.57
252.50
2.20
.30
5.77
4.50
5144 Middles States Tel. Co.
5146 Middle States Tel. Co.
5148 Hartless Austin Lin & Sply
5150 D P Motor Sales Ind
5152 Mrs. Ethel Hammerl
5154 Middle States Tel Co.
5156 Public Service Co
5158 Milburn Bros Inc
5160 Public Service Co
5162 Ray A. Brennan Co
5164 Whetstone Sery Sta
5166 Public Service Co
5168 Simplex Valve & Meter Co
5170 City Clerk Petty Cash
5172 Wilken-Anderson Co
5174 Standard Filling Station
5176 Inland Supply Co
5178 F. Honickel
22.20
40.20
1.50
53.96
50.00
3.00
45.30
144.20
50.07
19.52
41.18
2.82
9.25
.23
13.25
42.02
21.99
5.00
5179 W.E. Mathews 3.00 5180
5181 American LaFr. & Foate 18.29 5182
5183 Public Sery Co 24.78 5184
5185 :falter Lagerhausen 180.00
Dis-alwd. Des-Pleiaee-Bead 33738
-49:65
Reek -R4 : Geaet-Se----ITi : 62
11
It
Dee -PIeiaes-Band
11
Middle States Tel Co 17.50
Geisen's Serv. Sta 6.41
Middle States Tel. Co. 7.78
Des-Pieiaee-Deed 56:65 Dis-allowed
Dee -Plaine -Pena 38:68 n
Bee-Pieiaee-Dead 38:88 " t1
ft
The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Carroll to
adopt this proposed resolution.
The Clerk then read the following letter in explanation of the said
resolution:
January 15, 1940
To the Mayor and City Council
of the City of Des Plaines
Gentlemen:
In submitting for Council approval tonight the last of the City's
bills chargeable to the 1939 appropriation, I have included two claims for
services rendered during 1;39 which were previously submitted to the Council
for approval but were disallowed. These two claims are the following:
The bill of the Rock Road Construction Co.
in the sum of $ 1,141.62.
The bill of the Des Plaines Band as follows:
Compensation for August 1939 56.65
Sept. " 39.30
Oct. 3".60
Nov. 49.65
Dec. 30.00
$ 214.20
Since the said bills cover service supposedly rendered during 1939,
they should, if they are legitimate, be charged to 1939 Aprropriation Expense,
before the books are closed for 1939, which means that these bills must be
approved tonight.
"
11
Et
n
tt
tt
tt
tt
11
In writing this note it is not my intention to vouch for the legality
or propriety of the said bills, but merely to notify the Council that this is
the last op_ortunity to approve the said bills if they are to be included in
1939 expense.
Very truly ,yours,
Signed: EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH,
City Clerk
The motion was then made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alderman
Henrich to amend the said resolution by striking therefrom the bill for compen-
sation for members of the Des Plaines Band for August, September, October,
November and December 1939 totalling $214.20. The motion to amend was voted
upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion to amend carried
and the said resolution so amended.
The motion was then made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alderman
Loos to further amend the said proposed resolution by striking therefrom the
bill of the Rock -Road Construction Co. in the sum of $1,142.62. The motion w
to further amend was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor deiared the
motion to further amend carried and the said resolution so amended.
The Mayor then put the question of the main motion as amended, and
the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes; Aldermen Carroll,
Johnson, Henrich, Loos, Dopheide, Carlson, Friott, Schwanbeck and Campagna.
Nays; None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the said
resolution adopted as amended.
251
APPROVAL OF BILLS (1940.1: The Finance Committee through its Chair-
man Alderman Johnson then introduced the following proposed resolution:
5187
5189
5191
5193
5195
5197
5199
5201
5203
5205
(Bills Applicalbe to 1940 Budget)
RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS AND WAGES ARE
DUE AND PAYABLE AND TEAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK
BE AUTHORIZED TO DRAW THE PROPER WARRANTS ON THE
CITY TREASURER IN PAYiENT OF THE SAME.
City Clerk Petty
E.J. Hughes, Sec
Albert Ritter
E.J. Hughes, Sec
E.J. Hughes, Sec
Bert Sweeney
Joe Dauvin
Wm. Elluetz
Herbert Geils
U.S. Postmaster
Cash
. of State
. of State
. of State
5.03 5188 A. Kennicott
2.00 5190 Wm. Radlein
65.00 5192 Bert Sweeney
4.00 5194 Larry Nick
4.00 5196 Fred Kaufman
50.00 5198 Larry Nick
3.60 5200 Walter Glander
3.60 5202 H. Buvlitz
3.60 5204 E.J. Hughes, Sec.
40.15
75.00
46.80
15.00
14.50
55.20
19.20
3.60
3.60
of State 4.00
The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Dopheide to
adopt this proposed resolution. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk
called the roll with the following result: Ayes; Aldermen Carroll, Johnson,
Henrich, Loos,_ Dopheide, Carlson, Friott, Schwanbeck and Campagna. Nays;
None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the said resol-
ution adopted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Each member of the Council having been sup-
plied with a copy of the minutes of the regular Council meeting held Tues-
day, January 2, 1940, the motion was made by Alderman Carroll and seconded by
Alderman Schwanbeck to approve the said minutes as submitted. The motion was
voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried
and the said minutes approved.
SUGGESTS DRAIN AT JEANNETTE AVENUE AND ALGONQdIN ROAD: The motion
was made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alderman Johnson to refer to
the Streets and Sidewalks Committee, the matter of providing a drain to
properly drain an area on Jeannette Ave. lying just north of Algonquin Road.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the
motion carried.
THE BELL FROM THE OLD CITY HALL: Mayor Ahbe reported that the Des
Plaines Historical Society is interested in preserving the old curfew bell
salvaged from the old City Hall, formerly located on the Southeast corner
of Lee Street and Eliin_wood Street, and announced the appointment of Alder-
men Henrich and Friott as the City Council's representatives to serve on
a committee for the purpose of determining how best to preserve the said
bell.
ANNOUNCES MEETING AS COI-MITTEE-OF-THE-THOLE: Mayor Ahbe then
announced that the members of the Council are requested to meet as a com-
mittee -of -the -whole in the City Clerk's office after adjournment for the
purpose of further discussing the two bills disallowed at this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide and secon-
ded by Alderman Johnson to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by accla-
mation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
4