COUNCILMEN MEET
First Session In The New City Hall

Structure is Beautiful Building in Every Single Respect

The Dalles council held its first meeting in the new city hall last night and after being compelled to hold the sessions in an old building without any accommodations or conveniences, the councilmen and public officials fully appreciated the initial meeting.

All of the furniture for the magnificent structure is not in place as yet, though the greater part of it is, more than enough to indicate that the council chambers, office rooms and the building itself is to be beautifully equipped and furnished. Every piece of furniture that has been purchased by the council for the city hall is of the best and the committee which selected it is to be congratulated upon its taste and for the good and substantial quality of goods it selected.

Without doubt, the new city hall in The Dalles is the finest of its kind in the state of Oregon or in the Pacific Northwest for that matter. It appears even better on the interior than on the outside. The mayor, councilmen, city officers and visitors alike all had a certain feeling of pride when they attended the council meeting last night.

Brown & Greenholgh and H. N. North were granted saloon licenses by the councilmen last night. These saloon men were not granted the permits at the previous meeting as their bonds were not satisfactory at that time. All of the saloon keepers, who had licenses last year, have now renewed them.

The firm of Borders & Darnielle was granted the contract for building the G street sewer for $708, being the lowest bidder. The contract for
construction of the Kelly Avenue sewer was awarded to Franz & Boltholda for $773.

The matter of engaging a janitor for the city hall was considered, the subject being referred to Mayor Wingate and Recorder Filloon for action.
The following made application for the position: Herman Hays, G. W. Fender, Charles A. Fox, and J. W. Covey. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 o’clock until January 18.

BODY BURNED UP
Cremation Ceremonies Held Over Hindu Today

Took Place On Beach of River Mile East of City This Afternoon

Gois Singh, a Hindu, aged 25 years, died of typhoid fever at the sanatorium Sunday. His countrymen at Portland were communicated with, several of whom arrived last night to take charge of the body.

According to the customs and religious rites of the Hindu, the body was cremated this afternoon on the beach a mile east of this city, two cords of oak wood being used in so doing. First the oaken pyre was constructed being about three feet in height, four feet wide and eight feet long, on which the remains were placed and more wood was thrown on the body, and kerosene was poured over the whole pile. It requires, as a usual thing, three hours in which to consume a human body at that sort of a crematorium and today, storming as it did, it required a longer time.

The ashes were gathered and cast into the Columbia.

It is the belief of the Hindus that the soul after the death of its temporary possessor, must be born again in some material semblance, in order that it may complete the work unfinished in some previous state of existence until its task is accomplished and perfection be attained.

The Hindus ashes, left from cremation, is given back to the elements of nature, the water and air, after having been obtained from the agni  or fire. The Hindus are given to addressing the elements of nature as if they were divine beings and many of them worship the sun, the air and other elements of nature.

There was no religious ceremony aside from the cremation. When asked if they would offer prayer or sing, the interpreter said today at the cremation that it would “do no good now as the soul has left the body.”

IMPROVEMENT OF CITY IS STUDIED
Civic and Park Committee In Charge of Sorosis Meeting

The civic and park committee was in charge of the Sorosis meeting at the Commercial Club rooms yesterday afternoon, with Mrs. Frank Menefee in
the chair.

The opening number on the programme was a piano solo by Mrs. John Twohy Jr. Roll call was responded to by each member making some suggestions for the improvement of the city. A great many good ideas were expressed, such as the beautifying of the homes by planting roses about them, cleaning up the streets and alleys, etc. March 24 was designated a general “clean up day,” with the hope that the city council would
furnish teams to haul the debris away. “Tree planting day” was scheduled for March 19. All people having roses, flowers, shrubs to donate for the city park are asked to take the same on that day to the par where they will be cared for and planted. Mayor E. M. Wingate was present at the session and promised the women that the council would do all in its power to better conditions. W. H. Wilson gave an interesting talk on the subject of the aesthetic improvement of the city. Mrs. Smith French read a very interesting paper on the subject of physics.

The programme, which was a most practical and helpful one, closed with a piano duet by the Misses Verna Menefee and Eulalle Crosby.
 

Note: The Dalles has a hilltop park named Sorosis Park. The name was derived from a combination of sororities that were instrumental in its formation.

The Dalles Daily Chronicle
December 4, 1917

HOME ECONOMICS CLUBS TO MEET

“Planning of the Balanced Meal” Will Be Subject Considered By Martha H. Bechen, Home Demostration Agent

The Home Economics club of The Dalles will have their first meetings this week. The subject for discussion and consideration will be “The
Planning of the Balanced Meal.”

At the mass meeting which the women of The Dalles held in the court house a few weeks ago, it was decided that the “home economics” work given by the local home demonstration agent would be taken up at The Dalles, and meetings will be held every six weeks. Due to the large numbers interested in the work, the town was divided into three sections and three separate clubs were formed. Home Economics club number one includes all those living down town below the bluff. Its president is Mrs. W. L. Bradshaw; secretary, Mrs. Leon W. Curtiss. Home Economics club number two includes those above the bluff and east of Federal street; president, Mrs. Maude Eddon; secretary, Mrs. R. D. Maxon. Home
Economics club number three includes those above the bluff and west of Federal street; president, Mrs. D. J. Cooper; secretary, Mrs. C. J. Bright.

Club number three will meet at Mrs. Stubling’s residence, eighth and Liberty streets, Tuesday night, December 4, at 7:30.

Club number two will meet at Mrs. J. A. Douthit’s residence, 821 Elm street, Wednesday night, December 5, at 7:30 p.m.

Club number one will meet at Mrs. Joseph Stadelman’s residence, 412 Washington street, Thursday evening, December 6, at 7:30 p.m.