Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-09
ASPHALT WINS.
Allegheny Councils Decide to
Experiment With 1t.
THE MAYORS VETO N. G..
Only Three Votes in Either Branch
in Support of 1t.
TEXT OF TIE VETO MESSAGE.
The Late Chief Crows Assistant Chosen to
Succeed Him.
THE MAYORS VETO N. G.
EXT OF TIE VETO MESSAGE.
BOTH MEETINGS MOST NOTEWORTHY

Last night was Council night in ALLIE
gheny, and, in anticipation of several i'm
portant measures coming up, notably the
Mayors threatened veto Of the asphaltum-
block paving ordinance and the election Of
Fire Chief, the chambers of both branches
were crowded with spectators.
In Select Council, after the usual pre-
liminaries, Mr.. A. Kennedy presented q
communication from Mr.. Oliver P. Scaife
setting forth that as a citizen of Allegheny,
he had the good of the city at heart, and,
such being the case, he desired to call the
attention of Councils to an excellent oppor-
tunity. The Watson estate, he said, con-
tanning from 800 to 400 acres of land, lying
on both sides of the Perrysville road, was
for sale, and was very desirable for park
purposes. He extolled it highly, adding
that small part of it could be laid out in
building lots, which, when the surrounding
ground had been improved, would bring
nearly enough to defray the whole expense.
The communication was referred.
Mr.. Lowe presented an ordinance grant
ing the Meridian Electric. Lighting Com
pany the right to erect poles, etc.. for the
purpose of commercial lighting. II was
also referred.
THE MAYOR SAYS NO.
The veto of Mayor Pearson of the ordi-
nance authorizing the paving of portion
of Federal street, was next taken up and
read by President Lindsay. The veto
message was as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE,
ALLEGHENY CITY, August g. 1889.
To the Honorable, the Select and Common Coun-
ellis Of the city of Allegheny:
GENTLEMEN-I herewith respectfully re-
turn to your honorable bodies with my dis
approval Ordinance No q, of Select Council
file, entitled: IAN ordinance authorizing the
Committee on Streets and Sewers to enter into
a contract with the Philadelphia Asphalt
Paving Company, to pave Federal street. from
Ohio to South Diamond streets. with asphaltum
block on conditions named"
Ny reasons for this action are as follows:
1t may be that asphaltum block is a suitable
pavement on retired streets, where there is only
light travel but seriously doubt the propriety
of its adoption in city like our own where
there is such constant heavy hauling upon our
main thoroughfares. This travel is rapidly in
creasing with the development of our manu-
featuring and mercantile interests. have re-
ceived letters from prominent business men
sustaining my position in this matter. Our
streets have been for a long time in a deplora-
BILE condition, and hope Councils will not let
the matter rest until a permanent improvement
is effected.
The object of this proposed Improvement is
to test the durability of asphaltum block as
material for street pavement do not think
this object cans be attained by the plan pro-
posed by this ordinance as it is not intended
to pave the entire square from Ohio to South
Diamond streets, but only the spaces between
AI,1 -1.1 IN1,.,
of the street between the tracks, which bears
the real wear and tear of travel is to be paved
with cobble and Belgian block. This, to my
mind. is a confession that asphaltum block has
not sufficient strength or durability to stand
the test of heavy hauling common to our busi-
Eess streets.
Noone more appreciates the necessity of
pure water. a more perfect system of sewerage
and good streets than myself, but / cannot ap-
prove OF this plan for improving portion of
Federal street. 1, therefore. return tins ordi-
nance to your honorable bodies with my veto.
Very respectfully yours,
RT. PEARSON, Mayor.
THE VETO ovERRIDDEN.
After the reading of the message Mr..
Henricks moved for the passage of the ordi-
nance over the Mayors veto. There was
no dissension. The ordinance was passed
by vote of 19 ayes to noes. The vote was
as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Emrick, Clifford, c. H. Hart
man, Henricks A Kennedy. William Ken
nedy, Lahugh Langhurst, Lowe, Muehlbron-
ner, McAfee, Ober. Rothbin, Schad, Snaman,
SDeer, Walther, Wertheimer and President
Lindsay.
Noes-Messrs. Cochrane, Einstein and Har-
man.
The ordinance relative to the compensa-
tion of the Collector of Delinquent Taxes
was passed. 1t allows the Collector 81 800
per year salary in addition TO the five per
cent penalty on delinquent taxes, the act of
1887 providing for penalty of ten per cent
having been declared unconstitutional.
Councils at this point went into joint ses-
sion.
THE WATER PROBLEM.
Mr.. Brown submitted the report of the
Water Committee relative to obtaining a
supply of pure water for Allegheny. The
report set forth that the committee has
had the matter under consideration for some
time, and that the Superintendent of
Water Works and City Engineer had pre-
pared plans for water works at the head of
Nine-Mile Island, above the point OF con-
tamination. A resolution was recommend
ed providing that the plan known as the
first plan submitted by the Committee on
Water, for extending the large delivery
main to the head of Nine Mile Island, and
the erection of machinery, etc., at an esti-
mated cost of 81 500, 900 be adopted.
PLEA FOR CONSIDERATION.
DR.. Clifford moved to refer the resolu-
tion to the Water Committee. He said that
papers coming into Councils in such way
should receive some consideration before
adoption.
Mr.. Lowe thought that the resolution was
simply plan to get bids for fltering sys-
TENS which were not in favor.
Mr.. Cochrane said that it was folly to ad-
vertise in such an open manner. The Water
Committee had been considering the matter
for three years, and was familiar with what
was needed. He moved to non-concur and
refer the resolution to the Water Committee
His motion was carried without opposition.
Mr.. Snaman presented the report of the
Johnstown Relief Committee. 1t showed
that LOG men and medical relief corps had
been sent to Johnstown. A quantity of
supplies had also been purchased. The
total expenses were S2,240 II. The Con-
troller was authorized to issue warrants for
the payment of the bills.
COMMON COIINCIT