Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-06-20


dangerous bar heretofore thrown up at every
rainfall It will be seen by reference 10 the
map or plan prepared by the Engineer that the
proposed change will affect but slightly prop
erty holders except at the lower end, where the
Cambria Iron Company win be mostly affected
and with them hope but little, II any, contro-
yersy viii be had, as the practical effect is but
to give better outlet TO the strfam and relieve
us OF the trouble Of the bar deposit above re-
ferred to. change may be required in the To-
cation OF Conemaugh street in the Thirteenth
ward, which will be all the street affected by
the change recommended by the Engineer.
1t is to me apparent that there is more re-
quired at the hands of the City Engineer than
he can possibly accomplish. The Councils have
ordered and commend them for it, that the
City Engineer throw aside all other work and
proceed with the survey OF the water courses
in order that ordinances may be passed estab-
fishing their width preparatory TO cleaning the
same clearing the rubbish, debris, and deposits
and opening the channels to relieve us from the
danger Of future floods. The grading OF streets
is now going on, which must be done under the
direction Of the City Engineer, who must be
constantly on hand to establish the line and as
certain the number of cubic yards OF filling
done. He is beset on all1sides by persons desir-
ing grades, lines, and levels; an average OF ten
to twelve persons daily complain TO the Mayor
of the refusal of the City Engineer TO give them
grades, lines and levels II all this work is to
be done, the City Engineer must have assist
ance, and call the attention of the Councils to
the fact, in order that they may take such steps
TO secure TO citizens the opportunity TO obtain
lines and levels as the Councils may deem
proper.
The committee TO whom was referred the mat
ter OF investigating and reporting upon the pro
priety of making a change In the Fire
Limit ordinance so as to relieve persons who
had in good faith entered into contracts and
prepared material for the outer walls OF their
buildings prior to the adoption OF the ordinance
met and investigated the matter and concluded
TO recommend the adoption of an ordinance re-
pealng the last proviso OF section 4, Of said or
dinance draft OF which viii be duly presented
to Councils.
The new temporary Office for the Mayor will
soon be completed and ready for occupancy.
There is now no proper desk, bookcase or pigeon
holes for filing the papers, keeping the blanks
and securing the dockets, books and registry
pertaining to the oflce. The information, war
lar papers are pubic records and must be pre-
served, / therefore recommend TO councils the
proprety and necessity OF providing for the
Mayors off1ce a suitable desk with drawers and
case for the purpose OF depositing the dockets
and storing the blanks as also proper pigeon
holes for filing the office papers and the pro.
curing OF the necessary chairs and furniture in
order to enable him to discharge the duties OF
his office.
feel 1t my duty TO call the attention OF the
Councils TO the delay in passing the ordinance
relating to sidewalks. There Is now no munich
pal regulation which will enable the executive
officers of the City to prohibit obstruction OF the
sidewalk except to prosecute in the Courts for a
public nuisance those who store their goods,
barrels and boxes ON the same. Nor
is there any regulation to compel
persons 10 repair their sidewalks as all
ordinances on that subject passed by the sew
eral boroughs now forming the city have been
repealed. The delay, as ] learn, is caused by
those who desire to couple with the passage OF
reasonable regulations in reference to the side
walks provlso which proposes to give 10 mer-
chants a right to obstTuct the sidewalk for
their own personal convenience and pecuniary
advantage. The citizens Of the whole commu-
nifty are made to suffer in order TO enhance the
prohts and give an improper advantage TO par
ticular class. The views of the Executive upon
the subject OF this privilege has heretofore been
made the subject OF special message vetoing
the ordinance by reason Of the obnoxious clause
referred 10. should those who desire to attach
to general regulation designed for the good OF
the whole people reflect for a moment, it seems
TO me they would see the propriety OF adopting
the ordinance without the clause referred to,
and then introducing it as separate measure.
II the measure is melftorous one, IL could and
would stand alone and be adopted by proper
majority OF the Councils, but when attached to
a measure of relief and municipal regulation,
which ought not 70 be delayed. 1t only places
the advocates OF the special privilege in the
POSITION OF obstructing much needed legislation.
| have called the attention OF the Councils to
the matter and leave with you the responsible
ty for our brcke side walks and encountered
foot-ways.
The change of the grade at the corner OF Wal
nut and Main, as also at the corner Of Walnut
and washington streets, necessitates ceange
in the fire-plugs. or course the change in grade
and elevation win have to be borne by the city,
and am informed by the superintendent of the
Water Company that plugs will have to be re-
newed the one at the corner OF Main and wal
nut being OF the old Mcclellan pattern and the
one at the corner OF Washington and Walnut can
only be replaced by attaching new stand pipe,
The work win require to be done at once and
reccomm end that the Street Commissioner or
City Engineer be instructed at once to inform
the Water Company TO make the necessary
change. Also within a short time when the
grading Is done at the intersection OF Union and
Main new plug will have to be put in and
suggest the propriety OF having instructions
given to the water Company TO change It TO the
proper grade
The grade OF Morris street has been changed
near the lower end. The Street Railway track
conforms to the new grade, The sidewalk must
beeleyated to correspond The grade is made
to suit the proposed elevation OF the bridge at
one foot over the present height OF the existing
abutments. The condition now is that the
street is impossible for teams. Something must
be done. II the Franklin ssreet bridge is TO be
constructed upon the existing abutments only
TO be changed by an elevation of the same
the street should be filled up to meet the
case so that wagons can use the highway, If
the stream is to be widened and the abutment
set back the lines should be given at once, and
the work of reconstruction begun. II the stream
is to be widened, where the embank-
ment is to be taken Off, on which side, TO whal
extent and who is TO be affected should be as