Morning journal and courier., 1889-09-13
SPENT IT FOR A EARN.

The Hoard Of Public Works in q
 9uandary-They want More Money
 -Uslng tho Contingent Fund to
 Build a Barn-Acti0n of tho Board
 of Finance Last NiGht-Special Meet.
 ing Of tho Common Council.
 The board of finance held special meet ing last night. Among the different things petitioned for by the board of public works was an additional appropriation of s1 1000 to the contingent fund. The yearly appropria. tion was $5,350, and the reason an extra 1000 is asked for now is because the board of public works spent about $1,S00 of the original appropriation for the building of a barn. This they had no right to do, as the contingent fund is for pavements, tools, sur- veyor's implements and wharfage. They also asked for an additional appropriation of $400 for crosswalks. The whole matter was tabled
 During this year the board of public works has petitioned for an additional appropria- ton of $20, 700, which is the largest ex tra amount ever asked for before. Of this amount $14,000 was recommended. The charter says that no extra appropriations can be made during the year. and Councilman Alderman said last night that he for one in tended to abide by the charter.
 It was voted to recall all orders now in the hands of the board of public works not now under contract.
 A proposition was read from the Southern New England company, wherein that compa- ny agrees to furnish one duct for police and fire alarm wires to go underground at the rate of 12 3 cents foot, which is about the nominal cost. The duct is to extend from Elm street to Custom House Square on State street, and from State to Church street on Chapel. There are 6,17s feet, which would cost $772.
 Superintendent Smith of the fire alarm de- partment appeared and urged the necessity of this duct for the oity's safety. There are thirty-two police and fire alarm wires, and all are strung from the rear of tho police building, crossing Barker & Ransom's barn. MT. Smith explained that should this barn be burned the wires would be melted and there would be no communication either by the fire or police departments with any part of the city. No fire alarm could be sounded. He also explained that these wires were strung on the tops of all the poles. and at night If anything should hap pen, 1t would be as much as mans life is worth to climb up through any number of electric light wires to the tops of these poles. Tho board voted to recommend that these wires be put underground: This is g move that Superintendent Smith has urged for long time.
 The board of public works petitionsd for an appropriation of $S, ,000 to pave Church street between George and Chapel streets with granite blocks. This was recommended and it was also voted that the police and fire alarm wires be placed under ground in Church street before the pavement is put down.
 The board spent considerable time in trying to ascertain where the mistake was in the difference iu the amounts that the board Of public works have on hand between the city auditors report and the report of Clerk Wal dron of the board of public works. It was useless, however, and City Auditor Lake will consult with Clerk Waldron to-day.
 Mayor Peck will probably call meeting of the board of aldermen for next Monday to consider matters brought before the finance board last night.