Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-07
WILL ASKF0R MONEY.
The Committee to Recommend q Free
Bridge Appropriation.
OF GOOD LAW TO WORK BY.
No Danger Of the Fund Being Diverted to
Other Purposes.
MAYOR GOURLEY MAKES A SUGGESTION

Another step has been taken in the direc-
tion OF free bridges.
At Yesterdays meeting of the Council
manic Committee on Free Bridges, the
peculiar fact was developed that to get new
legislation passed to help the matter along
would simply and promptly put a quietus on
the whole project.
Controller Morrow, however, is confident
that the city now has all the authority it
needs for the erection, purchase or condem-
nation OF bridges. There is but one thing
lacking to insure free bridges, and that is a
trifie of monev. -
Chairman Lambie stated to the commit
tee that City Attorney Moreland had given
it as his opinion that the State Constitution
forbade the city expending money for free
bridges. ,.-,.., ...
"The act of May 10, 1873" replied Con-
troller Morrow, ''gives the city the right to
erect or purchase bridges and make them
free. This act was passed before the Consti-
tuition was adopted, and as it has not been
repealed. it is still in force. We need no
new legislation. We have, sufficient power
now. ..,, ...
THE LAW ON THE SUBJECT.
"Section 8 of this act" continued the
Controller, authorizes levy of 10 mills for
bridge purposes. Section 6 appointed a
board of appraisers to value such bridges as
chase. Section empowers Councils to build
bridges across the Monongahela river.within
the city limits. Section 9 gives Councils
authority to build upon and alter so much
of the wharves as may be necessary for the
erection of bridges, and section 10 empowers
the condemnation of any real estate neces-
sary for the construction of bridges.
Mr.. Lambeth the City Attorneys bill
is passed the first portion of itwould be
declared unconstitutional, and the last
clause would repeal the act of 1873.
Mr. Robertson-Well, that would put us
in a worse position than before. I. move
that we dispense with Major Moreland's
bill, and that we recommend 10 Councils
that action be taken under the act of 1878,
which is still in force, and covers the matter
very nicely and completely.
Mr.. Robertson's motion was adopted, as
was a resolution to Councils asking B. T.
Jones, who is the only surviving member of
the Board OF Appraisers, to fill the vacancies
as required by the act. s. 49,. 20
KEEPING THE APPROPRIATION INTACT.
Controller Morrow, in reply to questions
from committeeman, said that If an appro-
priation was made for free bridges
the money would not be allowed
to go into any sinking fund, but
would be held sacred to the pur-
poses for which it was intended. Whenever
an appropriation is made for special pur-
pose, the money does MT 20 into the sink
ing iund until the Object is abandoned by
Councils. The Controller instanced the ap-
preparation for the purchase and destruction
of bedding infected by smallpox. The ap-
preparation was made in 1880, and the money
is still held for that purpose.
After the meeting was over Controller
Morrow said the committee would report to
Select Council tomorrow, and will suggest
that an ordinance be prepared for the appro-
priation of money either for the erection of =
new bridge or for the condemnation and
purchase of one of those now standing, This
appropriation, if Endorsed by Councils, will
be en- bodied in the appropriation ordinance
for 1891. The CONTROLLED is warm advo-
cate of free bridges, but his position OF
guardian of the finances of the city, leads
him to counsel care and reasonable delibera-
tion In pushing the matter to conclusion.
WHERE ANOTHER BRIDGE is NEEDED.
Mayor Gourley is always ready to talk
about free bridges. He says he will suggest
to Councils the advisabIlity of raising
fund to build bridge or make one OF the
present bridges free to pedestrians.
"The-e is one place that needs a bridge,
and needs it badly, and that is in the neigh
borhood of South Twenty-fourth street."
His Honor said. Eyes, it is very probable
that if the city builds one or two free
bridges it will result in cutting down the
receipts of the bridge companies so mate
rally that they will be willing to sell out to
the city at a reasonable figure"
Councilman Thomas Mullin, of the Thir-
tieth ward, said he understood that the cap
italists who had obtained franchise for
bridge from the foot of Ross street to South
First street had abandoned the project
They had been scared off by free bridge talk,
and they would probably sell their franchise
to the city at cost.
Chief Assessor Case, in referring to the
proposed Twenty-fourth street bridge, said
it would have a marked effect upon the val.
uation Of real estate in the Twenty-second
ward and would result in the city getting
considerable returns in the way of taxes.