Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-16
IEUENDoES FILLED THE AIR.

The California Avenue Ordinance Creates n
Sensational Scene In Allegheny Councils
MIR. ID. b. oliver and City Solicitor
EIphInstone Lock Horns-A wordy War.
Allegheny Common Councils met in
special session last evening, with Council
man Charles W. DahIinger in the chair.
and was treated, after the passage of an or.
dinance grading California avenue to the
city line, to redhot tilt between Mr.. d. B.
Oliver aud City Solicitor Elphinstone, which
resulted in the reconsideration of the ordi-
nance. 1t was one Of the liveliest episodes
in the history of Councils.
While the ordinance was being consid-
cred Councilman Stemmler forwarded q
communication to the Chair. It was referred
to the Committee on Streets and the ordinance
was passed. Mr.. Simon Drum then asked that
Mr.. Elphinstone be heard. He arosel in an ex-
cited frame of mind and instituted an alterca-
tion with the Chairman as to the germane
character of the communication, and finally
stated it to the body. He claimed that the cost
of the enforcement of the ordinance would be
sl20. .0O0 which the city would have to pay. He
said that il cost Allegheny S1O0 900 and Pitts
be improved and the cost assessed on abustlng
property holders and that he was paid to tell
the truth to Councils.
He claimed that the facts were known to
some Councilmen, but were kept in the
dark, and warned Councils against NOV
ing in the matter. Mr.. Drum moved to recon-
sider. Mr.. Elpbinstone was asked why he had
not given warning before. He said that his
opinions were we'll known, but not wanted
either by the Street Committee or Select Coun-
Gil. Mr.. Stayton rose to point Of order; that
IL was not proper to reconsider. Chairman
Dahllnger ruled the motion to reconsider in
order. Mr.. Stayton thought that the City
Solicitor had greatly exaggerated the facts.
He thought the matter one Of vital Importance
and that the avenue should be opened. Mr..
Elphinstone and Mr. Stayton INDUCED in q de.
tailed discussion covering the ordinance. and
the former strove to cast imputations upon the
ruling of the Chair.
Mr.. Drum intimated that land companies and
others were back OF the scheme, and that tney
wanted TO put it through in defiance Of paIiia-
Mr. ID. b. Oliver was heard. He mentioned
some of the benefits, and took up Mr.. Drums
allegation that sinister or undernand methoas
had been made use OF, and thought him mis-
taken. He said that the history OF California
avenue was unstained by improper actions; but
that IL was question Of improvement alone.
He paid his respects to the City Solicitor for
waiting SO long before acting In the matter.
Mr.. Ephinstone nred up. He shouted. DO
you know who met me In the second corridor
Of the Court House this afternoon and asked
me TO keep away from Council to-nightf
Mr.. Oliver kept right on talking. Mr.. El.
phinstone repeated his question and exclaimed
swer me-" Mr.. oliver had the superior lung
power. and calmly continued to express his
opinion that the City Solicitor had neglected
his duty. He went over the items in the est!-
mate and impeached the correctness
Of the City Solicitors figures, and said
that even II 1t did cost the amount
named, it would be cheap eventually.
He said that the streets In that vicinity were
SO bad that the people were moving away to
the East End. Mr.. Elphinstone said his esti.
mates were from the City Engineers office, and
that four cases OF damage claims had been
tried Mr. Oliver said that fve had been tried,
and proved it in the din Of language that fol-
lowed. After some desultory conversation In
unanimously reconsldered and referred to the
Street Committee.
The following mysterious paragraph closed
the communication, which was not read: 1T
would be improper at this time to make public
all the reasons moving me to make you this
communication" The other business Of the
meeting was inconsequential