Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-19

minor claims, which were allowed, and referred
to the city comptroller.
The committee on streets, to whom was re.
ferred the matter of opening, grading, etc., of
Western avenue, from Summit to Conc
avenues, report favoring same, together with
the usual order to the board to make the i'm.
provement. Report adopted, and ordered
passed.
THE CITY PRINTING.
The especial committee on printing submitted
report on the matter of condensing (boiling
DOWN the city advertisements by the city
printer, as follows:
The committee on printing, to whom was re-
ferred the question Of advertising the coufr-
nation of assessments in changes of street
grades, respectfully report as follows:
The committee called to its aid as experts
Messrs John J. Lemon and o. G. Miller, two of
the most competent printers in the city, and
also invited the clerk of the board of public
works and the city printer to be present. Mr.
German, the clerk of the board of public works,
explained that the copy was prepared strictly
that notice must be given in detail to each
property owner of the change in grade, and
that such notice must contain besides
the description of the property, the ben
ehts assessed, the damages and the balances.
This requires five columns of figures, which
single newspaper column. Mr.. German ex-
planned that the object of this advertising was
to give due legal notice to property owners and
estop them from subsequently bringing suits
for damages against the city owing to change
Of grade. 1t was done to avoid Just such liti-
CATION as that which cost the city some $4,000
in the Mississippi street suits. Mr.. German
said the board of public works had for long
time delayed advertising, but they found that
there was no other safe course to
pursue, and were now pushing
it forward as rapidly as possible.
The matters which are now being advertised
cover the work performed for period of three
years, which accounts for the quantity. Mr.
German further explained that the first adver-
tising of this description was set in single col
umn, but that it was impossible to make the
publication Ineligible in that manner or to
compress it in as small space az if set in double
column. Consequently the change in style
Samples of the advertisements set in double
and single columns were placed before the ex-
perts and critically examined by them, accord
ing to printers measurements. They decided
that in the advertisement to which
especial attention was called at the last
meeting of the council, it would have
occupied as much space in squares set in single
column. as in double column, and possibly even
more, while in the case of every other double
column advertisement they were compressed
into very much less space in the double COL
nmn than it would have been possible to have
done IN single column. In other words, the
typographical style followed in these adver-
tisements was found to be the most advanta-
tageous and economical possible for the city
the experts, who are entirely disinterested, not
hesitating to say that it they were doing a. sim
liar work for themselves they would do it in q
similar manner.
Your committee also examined the gen era1
style Of display followed by the present citv
printer, and found it largely reduced below the
system heretofore in vogue, and we believe it
to be as moderate as can be employed and give
proper prominence to the city business.
The city printer stated to the committee that
he would cheerfully comply with any instrnc.
tons given by us in the composition of the
advertising, and stated he was endeavDrinp to
do the work in accordance with the we'll estah-
lished rules of printing.
Your committee are unanimously of tho
opinion that the advertising is being done in a
proper manner, and in as compressed a form
as the nature of the work will permit. All Of
which is respectfully submitted.
A. ALLEN, Chairman.
The report was adopted without dissenting
voice.
The committee on licenses reported in favor
of reducing express licenses to SIS. Referred
to city attorney with instructions to draft m
ordinance to that effect.
The committee on public accounts reported
their inspection of the accounts of all officers,
etc., and that the same were correct. Adopted
SALOON LICENSES.
The saloon keepers petition for a rebate in
the tax, when business was commenced to-
wards the latter part of the year, together with
a report Of the committee on ordinances, came