St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-28

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The contract price for these fine public
improvements was 1853, 94S; this deducted
from the amount actually paid by property
owners, showed that the price paid was S21,
1882 more, and that this last amount was
covered into the treasury. The captain con-
tended that the people of st. Paul were en-
titled TO know what became of this sum and
Hsimilar sums thus covered into the city
treasury on all other contracts, yet these re-
ports have been withheld for three years.
He declared that there was not business
concern in the world that would stand such
work. If the facts could be got at
The people would find that millions of money
IS disposed of that no one knows where it
goes. You have low taxes here in st. Paul
and very high assessment. Property is as
sessed in some parts of the city for good
deal more than it is worth. This statement
several of the members of the chamber cor
roborated. Now we have got to put more
money into the fire department, we have got
to furnish water for West st. Paul, and
we have great many other
biz and expensive things to take care Of
here in st. Paul. We ought to have these
comptroller's reports. He also Condemned
the putting OF that skating rink on Summit
avenue.
Mr.. Murray thought that Capt. Berkey
ought to wait till the first of January, for
Mr.. Roach had agreed to have his reports
ready at that time. If they are not ready
then he Murray would join Capt. Berkey in
his denunciation. He agreed with Capt
Berkey that the skating rink ought not to
have been allowed But he said there
is another side to the case,
Mr.. +. B. Clark owns the ground
where the rink stands and gets good rent
for it. If the building inspector had refused
TO allow the rink to be built, probably large
number of influential and wealthy men like
those he saw around him would have been
around the inspector endeavoring to cause
him to issue permit.
Mr.. P. H. Kelly also spoke of these Incl
dental expenses, and wanted to know what
became OF them. They go somewhere but
Wherel
Mr.. Murray explained that the surplus
money that was collected from these i'm
provements went into the treasury to pay
for assessments along the line of railroads.
where railroads, as is well known, are not
liable to pay for public improvements, and
for improvements on city property.
Capt. Berkey went over the ground of the
assessments referred 10 in his first remarks,
and said it was not safe to the city to have it
known that the comptroller had not made
his report LOT Iuree Years. SUCH TACT would
be very damaging. He had been careful not
to mention the fact outside, for he did not
dare to; but now he was becoming afraid,
and he declared if the report was not forth
cominghe would get the assistance of seven
other property owners aud have mandamus
issued to compel the comptroller to make his
reports.
Capt. Berkey explained that he made no
personal attack on Mr.. Roche but he wanted
the reports.
hr. Murray again explained about the re-
voiving fund and that il was used to pay for
expenses that could not be assessed upon
railroads and such property as is free from
assessment.
Mr.. P. H. Kelly said that he had been
compelled 10 pay in money that he ought not
to have been complied to pay aud could not
get it back again.
Gen. Bishop could not understand WHY
this excess OF collection should be made
over the cost of the improvement itself
Mr. Murray explained that the surplus of
the assessment was for obtaining abstracts.
the treasurer's fees, advertising, etc. which
the courts had decided TO be properly charge
able as costs ana expenses.
At this point the discussion appeared to
jump onto the Seventh street grade by CON-
mon consent Several declared that the
grade was impracticable for the street car
company.
Mr.. 0ppenheim said that when it was pro-
posed TO grade down Seventh street he did
his best to have the grade put stin lower.
Mr.. Murray declared that the grade was