Mayor and Councilmen Arrest Garbageman George Schmeer
In August 1919, garbageman George Schmeer was caught in the act of dumping a truckload of tin cans in a vacant lot in violation of a city ordinance. To make matters worse, Schmeer had been caught red-handed by the Mayor of Portland and several City Commissioners. One of Portland's primary newspapers, The Oregonian, reported the following:
When Mayor Baker and City Commissioners Pier, Mann, Barbur and Bigelow decided to play at being sleuths yesterday morning there wasn't a chance in the world for George Schmeer, a garbage collector, to get away with anything. As a result of the detective ability of "hizzoner" and fellow commissioners Schmeer is under arrest for violating a drastic health ordinance.
The city officials were in South Portland yesterday examining street conditions when they saw Schmeer drive his garbage truck up to a vacant lot. Schmeer, however, saw the mayor just in the nick of time and drove away.
"That fellow wants to dump his garbage in this vacant lot," suggested Commissioner Barbur, so at his suggestion the officials got back in their machine and drove around the block. They returned just in time to see Schmeer dumping his garbage and the five officials swooped down on him and placed him under arrest.
Deputy City Attorney Lansing filed a complaint in municipal court a few minutes later and the officials will appear as complainants against Schmeer in Judge Rossman's court this morning.
Commissioner Bigelow, who appeared in court as a prosecuting witness against Schmeer, announced that any other garbagemen found dumping refuse in other people's vacant lots would not only be punished in police court but would also suffer the loss of their licenses to collect garbage. Schmeer was convicted and fined $25.
Mayor George Luis Baker circa 1917. Source: Oregon Historical Society.
George Schmeer appeared with his attorney Boone Cason before the City Council on September 3, 1919. Cason asked the council not to revoke Schmeer's license. Schmeer admitted he was guilty. He had paid a fine of $25 and promised to abide by all city ordinances affecting his business. When it seemed that all was settled, the proceedings took an unexpected turn, and Schmeer walked away as an innocent man.
Just when the council members were about to tell him to "go and sin no more" Schmeer indicated that he had something to tell the council.
"I have been in the garbage business for seven years," he explained, "and this is my first trouble. But it is not my fault. A man told me to dump the cans there."
"What man told you to dump the cans in the lot?" asked Mayor Baker.
"His name is Grant," said Schmeer.
After Schmeer had assured the mayor the he could show Grant to the council, Attorney Cason attempted to ward off this line of attack by saying that Schmeer alone was responsible for the violation and that Grant should not be forced to answer for the violation.
"We want to see Grant and talk with him. Can your client bring him before this body?" asked Mayor Baker.
"I don't know why you should see him, but we can lead you to him. When shall I come back to lead you?" returned Attorney Cason, to which the mayor retorted that he didn't seek to be led and that the case was continued until Friday.
"Some clients don't know when they are well off," muttered the irate attorney as he left the council chambers with the innocent Schmeer, who had not yet learned that silence is sometimes golden.
Sources
"City Fathers Sleuths." The Oregonian [Portland] 23 Aug. 1919: 5. Print.
"Mayor Rebukes Lawyer." The Oregonian [Portland] 4 Sep. 1919: 5. Print.
"Mayor Rebukes Lawyer." The Oregonian [Portland] 4 Sep. 1919: 5. Print.
Last updated October 25, 2023