The morning news., 1889-04-25
TO TEST THE PAVEMENT.
THE COUNCIL IN DOUBT ABOUT
THE VULCANITE CONTRACT.

me Liberty Street and a Part of the
Broughton Street Pavement to be
inspected, and Test of the Amount
or Asphalt Used to be Made-The
Council Decide TO Purchase a New
Fire Engine, Hose Cart, Hose and
Water Heaters.
| The city council met in committee Of the
whole yesterday afternoon at O'Clock, and
the session lasted over two hours.
The Liberty street and a part Of the
| broughton street asphalt pavement put
down by the Vulcauite company and the
| proposed increase in the equipments Of the
IRE department were the principal subjects
Of discussion.
Inc asphalt pavement was freely dis
cusse1 The city owes some 5000 or Sill
OOO on the contract, which the committees
was not willing to recommend should be
PAID and there appeared to be a doubt that
- per cent OF asphalt had been used in the
construction of the Liberty street pave
ment- Complaint was general that the
pavement on some parts of Liberty street
Is so soft on warm day that one can push
a stick through the surface, and it is feared
that if it is so soft at this season. it will be
mucn worse In the summer months
AZ ANSAoI ON lhE FOhFElT.
The committee was inclined to insist on
that feature of the contract which permits
the city to retain $50 per day for every day
over the time In which the pavement was
to have been completed. The time origi-
nally was Jan. 49, but an extension was
granted to Feb. l. The street was not
completed until in April. and the rebate
will amount to over s., ,000
The city has a satisfactory bond that the
shall ha lraTN in 60 a.
years, and Will not have to be re-surfaced
for six years, but there is no disposition to
pay the balance due on the pavement until
the proportion of asphalt used is learned.
after investigation, nor to receive the work
until the council is satisfied that
1t meets the requirements of the
contract. There is grave doubt that it will
do this, and the holes in the vulcan ite
asphalt pavement on both streets, which
made their appearance before the streets
were finished, and which are still showing,
justifies the council in having the pave
ment examined by an expert and its dura-
bility determined before paying the balance
due the paving company.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The COMMITTEES concluded to recommend
the purchase Of a new and light steam fire
engine, one hose cart and 1000
feet of hose; to overhaul and re-
pair one of the engines now out Of
repair, and TO provide heaters for the
engines, SO that the water in the boilers
may be warm from the moment the alarm
sounds, and less delay will be occasioned in
getting up steam. Under the present ar
rangament the engines leave the engine
houses with cold water
The committee did not take final action
on the truck, but it does not recommend its
purchase, as n ore importance is attached
to increasing She facilities of the depart
ment in other directions. Neither did the
committee recommend an increased force
Of tlremen.
ACTION OF THE COUNCIL.
After the committee of the whole ad-
journed the council met in open session,
and resolution by Alderman Bailey was
adopted authorizing the purchase of a light
steam fire engine, one hose cart, 1000 feet
OF hose and heatlag apparatus for all the
fire engines. As this will not require an
outlay to exceed $1,000, and the budget will
cover the extra expense, the proposition to
take $40, from the house drainage fund
for the fire department was withdrawn.
DR.. Harris, chairman of the health and
cemetery committee, reported for the in
formation OF the Citizens Sanitary Associa-
tlOn, that the privy vaults in the burnt dis
trict had received sanitary attention within
thirty-six hours after the fire and before
the ashes were cold. He also reported that
existing ordinances regulated excavations
In the line suggested by the Citizens SAINT
tary Association, and whenever it is neces-
sary to take further action the health and
cemetery committee will act promptly.
A resolution by Or. Harris was adopted
authorizing the health and cemetery COM
mittee to inclose the colored cemetery with
a new fence.
A proposition of j. s. Collins to ex-
change certain land in the southern part of
the city TO conform to lines established by
ordinance was referred to the street and
lane committee.