WAUPACA COUNTY POST

January 13, 1921

FREIGHT RATE ONE AND HALF FIRST CLASS

CITY PAYS FREIGHT BILL ON OLD CANNON TO PROTECT OFFICERS OF LOCAL G.A.R. POST

The resolution passed by a six to two vote of the Common Council to authorize the payment of the freight charges on the old coast defense gun, stands and the warrant for $117.33 has been signed by Mayor Nelson as he was directed by vote of the Council.

Before the five day limit for the exercise of the power of veto, Mayor Nelson made a thorough investigation of the records and the correspondence on file at the freight depot and ascertained that the order for this old coast defense gun, was signed by the commander of the G.A.R. Post, and if the freight should not be paid by the city, the local agent of the railroad was instructed to proceed to collect the freight of S.S. Chandler. Mr. Nelson also learned that the freight rate on old cannon is one and a half times first class, another fact with which the general public may not be familiar.

It appears that since the distribution of free seeds has fallen somewhat into disrepute, that a favorable means for Congressmen to get in touch with their communities was the securing of some old field piece and somehow Waupaca happened to be one of the places to be looked for what purported to be a war relic, but which later proved to be an old coast defense gun.

On signing the order for payment of the freight bill, Mayor Nelson stated that this was the first warrant he has signed to draw funds from the city treasury when he did not believe that the city received full value for the expenditure.

It is also understood that several of the members of the Council, who supported the resolution, did so under stress similar to that which prompted Mayor Nelson to sign the city order rather than impose his veto on the measure.