Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-09
THE COUNCIL.
A FULL REPORT OF YESTERDAYS
PROCEEDINGS.
Reports Received From Various City Of
ficers-A Discussion on Insurance Mat
ters-A Lively Meeting.

The city council met in regular session
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Presi-
dent Frankenfield in the chair and all
the members present.
After disposing of the usual prelimi-
naries, number of reports from various
city officers were taken up.
That of the tax and license collector
for the week ending on the 9th inst.
showed the collection of $4447 %, max
ing total of 1857 1926 for the six fiscal
months last past.
That of the city clerk showed the
issuance OF 1924 licenses turned over to
the auditor during the month, valued at
$15, ,199; of these 164, valued at $3.50,
were turned back uncollected. These
latter were turned over to the chief of
police, and $l43 worth were returned
collected and 1907 uncollected.
That of the city assessor for the past
year shows the total valuation of the
personal property of the city to be
81, ,240,554, of which $13, 3,646.50 was col
lected.
The city engineer presented an ordi-
nance of intention to change and estab-
lish the grade of Vale street, from Col
lege to Bernard street. The ordinance
was passed.
The bridge committee presented re-
port recommending the construction of
bridge across the Arroyo Seco at Wal
nut street, and that the bid of the Eddy
$45S3 be accepted for the erection of
I1a no,I hr;Ina onI that fha or
superintendent be instructed to i'm
mediately construct approaches to the
Pasadena-avenue bridge.
The report was signed by Messrs.
McLain and Van Dusen, the third mem
Der of the committee, Mr.. Summerland,
presenting, over his signature, as
minority report, a recommendation to
the effect that a contract to construct
wooden bridge, at cost of $4247 be
awarded to M. III. Ledbetter.
Mr.. Steadman, representing the Wire
Bridge company, addressed the council
on behalf of aw arding the contract to his
company. He stated that his was
home company, having it's principal Of
flee in Los Angeles, and that it had
constructed bridges all over the state,
which had had the effect of breaking up
a monopoly of bridge building in this
state. He had constructed wire bridge
in this county which had some defects,
and upon which thirteen improvements
had since been made. He was willing
to submit his constructed bridge to
test, and declared it would be perfect in
every particular. He presented a peti-
ton with names that his bridge be built.
Mr.. Van Dusen moved then the
adoption of the majority report, while
Mr.. Summerland insisted that the mi
nority report should be adopted, as the
city engineer had not recommended the
building of a wire rope bridge.
Mr.. Steadman here interposed with
remark to the effect that that official
had not as yet even seen the plans.
Deputy City Engineer Ed Lownes said
that in any event his superior officer
would refuse to recommend the con-
struction of such bridge.
Mr.. Wirsching then moved as a substi
tute for the original motion that the
matter be referred to the city engineer,
but Mr.. Van Dusen vigorously opposed
this motion, and Major Bonsall wanted
whole. Finally, however, after breezy
vailed by vote of to 4, and the matter
The second clause of the report was
adopted without debate.
The report of the board Of public
works was then taken up. 1t recon-
mended the passage of the ordinance
providing for the grading and graveling
of Teed street, in spite of the mayors
objections thereto, it being the opinion
of the board that the mayor had not
personally inspected the ground.
When the motion to adopt the report
was put, Mr.. Van Dusen said as the
council had been fighting the mayor
ever since it had been in existence, he
would suggest that precedent be ig-
nored, and that his veto be sustained.
President Frankenfeld begged to cor
rect the gentleman from the First. The
fight did not come from the council, but
from the other direction.
After brief debate upon the ques-
ton, the motion was carried by vote
of to 4.
The report of the finance committee
recommended the reduction of the
amount of monthly license paid by the
Los Angeles District Telegraph company
from SIS to IS. Mr.. Hamilton stated
that the committee was satisfied that
the company could not afford to pay the
said amount of license. The report was
adopted.
The report further recommended that
the following policies of insurance be
placed upon the old city hall in lieu of
the insurance policies which expired
during the month of November, to-wit :
Hartford Insurance company $4,000,
same $4,000, Caledonian Insurance COM
pany $1,000, American Insurance COM
pany $1,000, State Investment Insurance
company, $4,000, Continental Insurance
company $4,000; total $4,000.
President Frankenfeld moved that
this portion of the report lie upon the
table, stating that it was poor financial
policy to keep on paying money for in
ssurance. He wanted the policies as
they run out to be thrown aside and
the city assume its own insurance. The
city could lose schoolhouse every year
and yet save money.
Mr.. Shafer sided with the views of the
president on the matter and said it
would be the testimony of any insur-
ance man that only 25 per cent of the
money paid for insurance ever comes
back to the party insured. He didn't
have any of his own property insured
and he found it profitable to himself not
to insure.
Mr.. Bonsall said insurance companies
+oI 49,