Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-30
THE COUNCIL.
Report of the West Sewer
age System.
THE PAVING OF FIRST STREET.
Chief Benedict's Salary Discussed
and Finally Passed-Fran-
chiSes Granted.


Teed, Book, Hitler, Bosbyshell, Barrett,
Collins, Mathews and Gibbs present.
Mr.. Bosbyshell asked that Mr.. Sinsa-
baugh's leave of absence be continued.
Granted.
Mayor Workman called attention to
the condition Of the tracks of the street
railway companies on Main, Spring,
First, Fort and Second streets. In a
number of instances the tracks are above
the grade Of the paved streets, so as to
make it dangerous for vehicles to cross,
and he asked that the Los Angeles Gable
Railroad Company, the Main-street and
Agricultural Park and the Second-street
Railroad Company be notified to place
their ira cks flush with the surface of the
streets, according to their franchises.
He also asked that the Second.street
Railroad Company be requested to pave
at once between its tracks and for two
feet on each side between Spring
and Main streets. Recommendation
adopted.
Mayor Workman sent in a message
stating that he had been served with a
writ Of mandate by Joseph Sheerer to
compel him to fix bond for the contract
OF the paving of First street, and he
asked that the City Attorney be in
structed to answer for him on November
5th. He had already fixed bond for
Contractor Austin by direction of Judge
O'Melveny, and did not feel at liberty to
fix second bond. The message con-
tinuing, says: II wish to state in this
connection that Mr.. Sheerer's course
since the award of contract was made
to him and the latter taken from him
under the provisions of the Vrooman
act, by A. M. Austin, representing a
majority of the property owners on First
street, has been one of continual legal
6ibustering, which has 80 far DELAYED
this important and very necessary work
that looks now as if it's completion will
be deferred long time. The CITY At.
torney and myself have made repeated
efforts to compromise the difficulty be.
tween Messrs. Austin and Sheerer, and
one agreement arrived at was accepted
as satisfactory by all parties, but next
day MIR. Sheerer again refused to abide
by it. l think that the best public
good will be subserved hereafter by
your honorable body, refusing to
entertain any more OF Mr.. Sheerer's bids
for public work which under section of
the Vrooman act you have the right to
do. Mr.. Sheerer's delinquency in COM
pleting his Main-street paving contract
Is we'll known to you. Mr.. Austin is
ready with material and force of men
to at once begin the work, but is threat
ened with an injunction from Mr.. .Sheerer.
The property owners are very anxious to
have the paving done at once before the
heavy rains begin, and Mr.. Austin prom
ises to complete it within seventy five
days if allowed to 60 ahead. 1 request,
therefore, that you give this matter your
immediate and most serious considera-
tion.''
Captain Barrett asked that the matter
be laid over a week, 80 that he could
post himself, but he suggested that the
recommendation in relation to the CITY
Attorney be adopted. So ordered.
Mr.. Book thought that the Council
should find who it was that was DELAYING
the work, and then he should be in
formed that he could have no more CITY
work.
Street Superintendent Baldwin said
that he had awarded the contract as
directed by Judge O'Melveny.
Mr.. Cohn called attention to the fact
that the assessment for the work on
First street would cost more than one
half OF the city assessment, and the citv
would be liable for part of the cost of
the work.
Mr.. Collins said that if the property
owners had not meddled in the matter
the work would be under way at the pre-
sent time. They had stepped in with a
contractor who had taken the contract at
the same price as that at which the
Council had awarded it.
The matter was laid over.
Mr.. j. D. Bethune, representing large
number of property owners on Pico
street, asked that some action be taken
to remove the poles along the street. The
cars were not running, and over a year
ago the company had agreed to remove
the poles. This had not been done. and
he asked that the Street Superintendent
be instructed to Immediately remove the
poles. Referred to the Board of Public
Works.
Captain Barrett offered the following
report of the Special Sewer Committee:
We, your committee appointed for the pur-
pose ct going to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to
port upon the proposition of the Pacific Sewage
Company, that was made by them to the City Of
Los Angeles to take the sewage from the city
beg leave to report First. That on our way, we
stopped at Chicago and visited and examined
the sewage system at Pullman, where we were
given all the information possible to be given
BY Mr.. Dolly, the engineer in charge Of Mr.
Pullman's business We found the system very
complete as to the deodorizing Of the sewer
gas; We then. in connection with the Hon E.
=. Spence, proceeded to ATLANTIC city, where we
found the West System in full working order
and operation. We have made careful ex-
animation of all its workings, made diligent
inquiry OF all the hotels which are running
also consulted with the members of the Board
physicians and citizens of Atlantic City, and
they are all Of one opinion, and that is, that
the West System Is one of the best
systems IN existence. Second. We found
AnanMc City, q very difficult city to sewer
city was within 1s inches to feet of the sur
face and are satisfied that no other system
could be used SO successfully as the West sys-
tenn. Third Your Committee, after all of our
examinations, would most respectfully recon-
Company be accepted and the City Attorney
instructed to draft contract with the Company
In accordance with their propositions as soon
q the Pacific Sewage Company make salts
factory showing that the patents, etc are all
gns ana sS We would further rec
required to give an indemnifying bond (the
amount to be dxed by your honorable body for
the faithful performance on their part Of this
contract, and that the interests of the city be
fully guarded.
Messrs. Lowell, Bosbyshell and Cap
tain Barrett explained the working of the
system and the report was referred to the
Sewer Committee to report upon at next
Meeting