Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-03-17
CITY COUNCIL.
A Rather Warm Session
Yesterday.
A SEVERE MAYORS MESSAGE.
He Vetoes the Gas Rate Ordinance
The Central Street Railway
Franchise Granted.

Franchise Granted.
Just before the Council was called t.
order DR.. ]. P. widney addressed thu
assembled members in opposition te
granting to John Bryson the right &
put basement stairs on First street, en-
croaching on the sidewalk. He stated
that all of the property owners on thu
block were opposed to 1t excepting Mr.
Bryson, and regarded it as an infringe
ment Of their rights and detriment te
their property.
The Council was then called to order
President Sinsabaugh in the Chair
Present, Councilmen Breed, Bulli-
Frankenield, Goss, Holbrook, Jones
Kuhrts, Perry, Stearns, Velsir, VII
lard. Absent: Messrs. Biscailuz and
Santee.
The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and approved.
By permission Geo. s. Patton, ESQ.,
addressed the Council on the matter O.
81, is9 overpaid taxes. which the y. 2
r, X. claims from the city. The Coun
Gil has allowed the claim but the Mayol
refuses to sign the warrant.
Mr.. Jones moved that the necessary
steps be taken TO pay the debt aud thai
the Mayor be requested TO sign the war
rant. Carried.
THE MAYORS MESSAGES.
The Mayor returned the ordinance re.
ducing the price of gas from 50. so to
$3.50 per 1000 feet, without his ap-
proval. He asked the Council to inves-
tigate the cost of producing gas, the
amount consumed, the Illuminating
power and the probable cost and profits
OF the works. If It is found after in
vestigation that 81. so is just price he
will sign the ordinance, provided time
limit is fixed.
He also called attention to the ordi.
nance lowering the water rates, which
he said would become law without his
signature. he would have vetoed it.
but the law requires the water rates to
be fixed In February. He thought the
Council had not paid proper attention to
the water question, and thought that
the ordinance discriminates in favor of
the rich as against the poor, and hoped
IL would be changed. He cited the in.
stance Of shanty and Mrs. Il. B..
Crocker's mansion being on the same
block, and the occupant of the shaniy
pays as much for water for domestic
purposes as Mrs. Crocker does for the
numerous lavatories, bath rooms. clos
cts, etc., in her princely mansion. He
intimated that the Council had worked a
decided hardship to the poor In its re-
duction Of water rates.
Councilman Breed, the father OF the
reduction bill, said that Ii was little
peculiar to hear powerful corporation
like the water company-for all of these
stories OF discrimination against the
poor emanated from that corporation, ex-
hibit such tender solicitude for the poor.
He therefore moved, in order that the
people might have fair understanding
as to tho reduction in water rates, and
the class which the reduction was in
tended to benefit, that the water rates.
as they had existed for the past three
years, and the rate, as fixed by the new
ordinance be published in the city pa
pers. He felt satisfied that such publi-
cation would repel the intimation Of the
Mayor and give the people true in
sight into this matter of discrimination
Mr.. Frankenfield said that he was in
favor OF the publication. tie had never
voted for the rich as against the poor,
and would never SO vote.
Mr.. Jones said it would cost 500 to
publish the rates and he was not in favor
OF it. He said that he expected when
entering the Council to be accused of
voting as above charged, and
he was willing TO let the events
Of the next year prove for them
selves whether there had been discrimi-
nation as charged.
Mr.. Holbrook said that everybody
knew that the reduction had been made
in the interest of the poor and would so
operate.
Mr.. Frankenfeld said that the water
company had been working up this pref
adice and the Mayor now comes to the
front and helps them out.
Mr.. Goss could see no necessity for
publishing the ordinance.
Msssrs. Stearns and velsir wanted
Publication.
Mr.. Perry moved to refer the matter to
q committee to ascertain the cost OF pub
lication, Carried, and Messrs. Perry,
Breed and Goss appointed as such COM
rlittee.
The gas ordinance was reconsidered,
and Mr.. Simpkins, the President Of the
company, asked that a committee be sp-
pointed to examine his books, the work
ing of the company, etc., in order to
ascertain the cost Of making gas here.
He was in favor of good ordinance, but
wanted time fixed rs 10 how long a
price would remain undisturbed. Re-
ferred TO Messrs. Jones, Breed and
Kuhrts, to report in two weeks.
REPORTS OF CITY oFFIoERs.
The City Auditor presented his week.
ly report Of the condition Of the several
funds Of the city. Finance Committee.
From the Clerk, giving assessment OF
the city for the widening and extension
OF Main street as S403. 80 on the exten.
sion and Sl740.96 ON the Plaza; total,
s2l44 is. Referred to Board OF Public
Works.
The Clerk repoit ted the sale Of lots in
: the Fort Hill tract. He stated tha,
Geo. Hansen refused to pay $500, his
bid for three lots. Referred to the City
Attorney TO collect.
The Superintendent Of Streets pre-
sented pay roll amounting to S572. so.
Referred TO the Finance Committee.
The City Zanjero presented pay
roll for the week amounting to S26S. so.
Finance Committee.
The City Assessor reported the col
lection OF personal property take,
amounting TO s3l6.86. Same reference
The Health Officer reported an expen'
diture OF s2970 for sundries. Sam,
reference.
The contract and bond OF w. r. Lewil
for sprinkling the streets was approved
The contract and bend of Peter Kee
nan for 500 feet OF fiume on Zanja S.R
on Figueroa street, was approved ane
ordered signed.
The City Attorney presented an ordi
nance regulating the issue OF fishing per
mits. Committee on Finance.
The City Surveyor reported that Belle
vueavenue, between Buena Vista ans
CASTELAR, street has been properly graded
Referred to Board OF Public Works.
The Chief Of Police reported that h'
found the dog pound in good condition
Received and filed.
The City Attorney reported thkt il
his opinion the Council had the right I.
create the office of Inspector Of Gas ans
Water Meters. Received and filed.
The city attorney presented al ordi
nance regulating the erection Of bridge
over the Los Angeles river. Adopted
CENTRAL RAILROAD FRANCHISE.
The Central Railroad Company pre-
sented bond in the sum OF $4,000
Accepted.
The franchise was changed SO as I,
make width of planks on outaide o
rails four inches instead of six inche
and was then adopted. This allows In.
road to extend along Pearl and Alvara
do streets.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.