Wichita eagle., 1889-05-19
SPECIAL MEETING.
O0MMITTEEREPORTsO ETHE SEWER
LUMBER BILL
Council Wants Some More Poll Tax for
Revenue Expressly-Sewer
Committee Instructed
to Look After
Business.

evening. The time arrived, quorum was
not present and after half an hour wait
ing the roll call showed Carson, Campbell
Barnes, johnson, Downing, Wight, Coffin
and Glaze present. The call was read
showing the object to be to hear the report
Of the finance committee.
Glaze, of the finance committee, report
ed unfavorable to allowing Steinmetz s.
Sullivan 81, 400 for lumber used in con-
structing brick sewers.
Mr.. johnson asked the city engineer be
heard on the question.
Mr.. Mulvey responded that it was a
question whether it ought to have been
put in.
Coffin asked if it is necessary to allow it
TO remain.
10 this the city engineer said he could
not answer until making an examination.
SteInmetz had stated that he had attempt
ed 10 take some Of il out and thought it
would be dangerous. Mr.. Healy and the
city engineer had partially examined the
work but he was not able to state whether
1t could be removed without danger.
johnson SAID that the contractors did
not want TO take it out at their own risk
age might result. He stated that Eng
lish and himself had opposed single
shell main wanting double strength.
Glaze said the committee had done all
IN its power to forbid the city from being
committed on the lumber question so the
city would not be compelled to pay for it,
Carson said it was necessary for
the protection Of the contractors to
allow the lumber to remain
in the ditch. 1t has been put in as a pro-
lection TO themselves aud not for the city
originally.
The mayor said it is certainly proper to
refuse to pay the bill until compelled to do
so.
The report Of the committee was adopted
By a unanimous vote.
City engineer said Mr. Herring had
said that one ring sewer would be strong
enough. He further stated that double
ring would call for more money than
would be necessary.
The committee reported that SS,427 is
due to the sewer contractors, due the first
OF the month. The motion TO adopt the
report passed unanimously. An ordinance
allowing that amount was passed.
Glaze moved a special committee be ao-
pointed to examine the present condition
of the sewer. After the motion was en-
tertained the city attorney stated that
there was a question about whether
it would be in the province of the meet
ing
Carson said he thought it unnecessary.
as he the regular committee il it is at
tending to its business could do that
work.
Downing-I am a member of that COM
mittee, and have never seen the sewer.
Carson-Well, you have not been doing
your duty.
Wight am like Carson, think the old
committee ought to attend to its bust
ness.
Downing-I think the old committee
wants their work examined.
The mayor stated number of wild
stories he had heard about bad work being
done on the sewer.
This caused Carson to ask why it is the
council is allowing money without an ex-
animation into the character of the work.
Wight said if the old committee had not
done its duty it ought to commence very
soon.
Coffin-The first thing that ought to be
done in the face of these rumors is to have
the sewer committee to investigate. Its a
direct reflection on them and they should
examine. Let them report If it is to the
effect that the rumors are wrong, and the
reports continue, then it might be we'll to
appoint special committee to investigate.
GlaZe-I met man yesterday, who pre-
tends TO be newspaper man, who has
been circulating these reports, and to me
be denied ever having said anything about
it. Finally he said the Dold packing house
are to have four-fOot sewer, and in this
he showed his ignorance. Have heard
that engineers don't get down to work early
in the morning and leave quick in the
evening; also hear that bad material is be-
ing put IN and that it disappears very
quickly somehow.
The city engineer stated that the refused
material is being piled up at a certain
place giving the information on the mys-
terions disappearance of refused material.
Coffin moved that the sewer COM
mittee be given full power to investigate
all rumors and report If possible at the
next meeting The motion prevailed and
the special committee effort went down.
POLL-TAX.
The question Of poll tax was introduced.
The clerk being called upon said that the
council has been deciding whether or not
poll tax would be collected. Topeka
claims that 10 collect it is compulsory ac-
cording TO law while Atchison has held
the same position as Wichita being
ar ha or,-fat, Of tina 1t+v council
Carson in order to get the matter before
the council moved poll tax be collected.
He spoke against the motion stating that
it is a hardship on the poor people.
Barnes and Glaze seemed to think it
would be benefit to the laboring classes
The motion carried with Carson in the
negative.
Barnes stated that the fountain on the
corner OF Main and Central should be
connected with the sewer system. The
matter could not be logically considered
and viii probably be attended 10 at the
next meeting.
There were many rumors going the
rouuds yesterday about city affairs in con-
nection with the council The reports,
however, seemed TO interest only few
who have given attention TO the situation
as outlined in the meetings. It comes
from certain source that the arrange
mentS have been completed which
will terminate the fight on appointments.
Some deny that there has been any
change of opinion on the part of any MEM
Der or members. 1t is thought that the
lobby viii be wellfille at the next regular
meeting.
Some of the counciluen are figuring on
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