Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-14
THE HALL ALL RIGHT.
Allegheny City Property Committees
Ordinance Easily Passed.
A WORDY WAR OVER THE OTHER.
The Library Ordinance Fails OF Final Pas
sage on Very Close Vote.
SOME LIVELY DISCUSSION OCCURS

| A regular meeting of the Allegheny
Councils took place last night. In the
Select branch. the call of the roll showed
that q members were present, with Mr..
James H. Lindsay in the chair. As fight
was anticipated over the Carnegie Free
Library ordinances, quite crowd was pres
ent in the lobbies eager to, observe what
tactics would be pursued.
Those who came early were destined, how
ever, to have their patience severely tried,
as Councils took up nearly an hour and three
quarters in the consideration of a number of
ordinances of very miuor Importance when
compared with the library matter.
Among the more important papers offered
| and referred we're: A remonstrance against
opening an alley in rear of South avenue;
| an ordinance for change of grade on Wilson
| avenue; a communication from Chamber of
Commerce relative to Carnegie Library;
| resolution recommending the use of smoke
| consumers at city works, which was passed;
another directing the Mayor to file indem-
nifty bond for grading of California avenue,
also passed.
FINANCES AND STREETS.
The Finance Committee presented Con-
troller's report for February, showing bills
to the amount of $32, 200 09. Ordinances
were passed authorizing grading, ETC., OF
Sigel street, and for grading Meyran avenue.
The one authorizing the paving of Braddock
avenue with asphalt blocks was opposed and
referred back to committee.
The Survey Committee presented an ordi-
nance for the changing of grade of Cali
fornia avenue; also for changing grade of
Troy Hill road, and for opening and widen
ing Federal street extension from Morris
street to Perrysville road, all of which
passed. The Water Committee presented
resolutions awarding contracts for supplies
as previously published; passed. The ordi-
nance granting the Park Committee control
of the ground surrounding the library also
passed. The East Ohio street ordinance
passed in January, but refused by the Com
mon branch. was referred back to the COM
mittee. The ordinance granting right of
way to Union Passenger Railway Company,
which had been sent back to committee, was
recalled and passed finally.
The ordinance granting Allegheny Street
Railway Company right of way to build
line on California avenue from Superior
street to city line, was passed, and the one
for opening 3-foot alley in Second ward,
and that giving Union Light Company
right to lay pipes in the city were referred
back to the committee.
THE TUG OF WAR.
The ordinance placing the Carnegie build
ing in charge of the Committee on City
Property as passed in Common Council,
was taken up, and without word of dis
cussion, passed by e vote of 90 ayes and no
noes. The ordinance creating a public
library conmitte and giving it charge of the
library, art gallery and lecture room fol-
lowed.
MIR. Muehlbronner offered an amendment
which would create a committee of three
members of Select Council, four members of
Common Council and five members of the
Board of School Controllers.
Mr.. Edwin Lare objected to the proposed
amendment on the ground that the proposed
composition of the committee was good
enough, and to make any changes would
throw the opening of the library back to an
indefinite time.
Mr.. Muehlbronner stated that his reason
for offering the amendment was to give the
Board of Control proper recognition.
DIR. Clifford was of the opinion that the
Council Chamber was the proper place to
decide the matter instead of through the
newspapers and on the street corners, and it
was no more than proper that the Board of
Control should be recognized, as that would
obliterate the objection that body had to the
present ordinance, and prevent the city from
being under obligations to support two
Libraries.
Mr.. Lare said the matter had been suf-
ficientlY discussed; that the city had re-
ceived the library, and not the Board of
Control, and the city had right to say
what should be done with it. Ii their Of
fcers would not represent it properly it
would then be time to make changes, but
not at present when any change would post
pone the opening.
MR.. KENNEDY'S OPINION.
Mr.. Arthur Kennedy thought that the
board ought to have representation, but it
was too late now, as the matter had already
occupied too much time, and the ordinances
should be passed so that the building could |
be opened promptly to the public.
William M. Kennedy wanted to know if |
the Board of Control had the right to COM |
bine their library with the other, if they |
were given representation.
Mr.. Lare raised the point that the board |
could not legally be given any representa-
ton on the committee.
Mr.. Einstein stated that he objected to |
the Board of Control, as they had publicly |
expressed desire to have entire control.
Mr.. McAfee wanted to know where he
got that knowledge. MIR. EInstein answered |
that a member of the Conference Committee
had told him.
Mr.. Cochran gave it as his opinion that
the Board of Control should have complete
control, rs they understood better what the
people wanted and they could possibly run
it cheaper.
Mr.. Lowe wanted to know if the Board
of Control were given the power could they
give them better library than they had in
the past.
DR.. Gilliford said that he understood that
the Finance Committee would spend SIS, 900,
and the Board could raise $4,000 year if
needed to support it.
BROAD AS IT'S LONG.
Mr.. Arthur Kennedy asked how that
would save the taxpayers. The doctor init
mated that they would at least be as con-
servative as most of the CouncIlmen, and he
knew a party, more learned man than any
mentioned, whose services could be had for
much less than the salary proposed.
Mr.. Rothlein wa1ed indignant and wanted
to settle the matter by turning the whole
matter over to Mr.. Carnegie and let him
unravel it. The amendment was lost.
MR., COCHRAN BoBBED UP.
Mr.. Cochran wanted the salary of the
made 81 500 instead of So, 500, and
offered an amendment to that effect Mr..
Lare said he was astonished at the
manner in which some Of the Councllmen
endeavored to hamper the proceedings. He
was of the opinion that the income from the
hall alone would be from $4,000 to $40, 900
per annum, and the city could afford to be
more liberal. Good librarians were worth
good money and should have it if they could
be given it.
Mr.. Cochran called for the ayes and nays
on the amendment.
The amendment was lost by one vote.
Motions were made to adjourn from all parts
of the chamber at this moment.
Mr. C, H Hartman offered an amendment |