Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-12
ALLEGHENY IS OUT,
That City Will Not Be at All Affected
by the Proposed New Street
improvement Act.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AWARDS.
Last Nights Lively Session Of the Special
Legislative Committee Across
the River.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AWARDS.
SENATOR NBEB TAKES QUITE A HAND,
And Argues in Favor Of the Bill for the Inprovsnsnt
Of City Wharva.

Councils, the Special Commlttee on Legls-
latiou met last night to consider the objec-
tions made bv Councilmen and others to
some of the bills now before the Legislature
relating to second-class cities. After spend
ing several. hours in somewhat animated
discussion, the committee was brought to
the conclusion that the crusade against some
of the measures had been begun rather
too late, since several of them had passed
the Senate. and one had been finally passed
and only awaited the signature of Governor
Pattison to become a Law. Senator Mech,
who was present, spoke rather Indignantly
about the fact that while Alleghenians had
been clamoring and passing resolutions
about some of the proposed street acts, they
had failed to notify him of their feelings
until TOO late. City Solicitor Elphinstone
finally brought peace to the hearts of the
committeeman by informing them that those
in charge of the bills had already decided
to do away with the Objectionable features.
The acts against which there was the
greatest feeling expressed were the new
street bill, the bill authorizing the establish
ment of Department of Awards, and the
one creating a Disability Board. The
vhsrf bill, however. came in for its share of
consideration, and resulted in some animated
tits between the gentlemen present.
Those Who Were Directly Interested.
The meeting of the committee was held in
the regular committee room in Allegheny
CITY Hall. There were present Messrs. w.
NJ. Kennedy, Lowe, Lindsay, Parke, Hen
derson. Drum and Mercer Aside from the
committee there were Senators Neeb, Gra-
ham and Findlsy, and Representatives
MuehIbronner, Rynd and Marshall. The
meeting opened at o'clock with Mr.. Parke
in the chair.
The Chair read the resolution authorizing
the session of the joint committee to con-
slider the proposed bills for cities of the sec
ond class and the resolution asking the de-
feat of the section of Senate bill No. 265,
creating a Department of Awards. Senator
Mech was asked what position the bill was
in. He replied that it had passed the SEN
ate finally.
"The BILL" he said, ,.."as you see, gives
Councils the power to create Department
of Awards. which shall award contracts SUBJ
iect to the approval of Councils"
Mr.. Parke-The greatest objection have
TO this is that there is no designation of
who shall comprise the department. Coun-
ellis could appoint men totally outside of the
CITY government
Mr. Neeb stated that the whole matter
was in the hands of Councils. Mr.. Gerwig
Thought under the original bill governing
cities Of the second class the passage OF this
section would necessitate the election of
chief of the Department of Awards, as in
other departments.
Mr Neeb DiscIaims Any Responsibility.
Mr.. Neeb said he could not be held re-
spopsible for the passage of the bill, for he
had received no copy Of the resolution OF
Councils opposing it.
City Solicitor Elphinstone came in at this
point and put stop to the discussion BY
stating that the gentlemen in charge of the
bill had agreed to amend it by striking out
the section calling for Department of
Awards. The two cities would, therefore,
have TO GO on in their former method OF
awarding contracts.
Bill No. Il, providing for the creation of
q Disability Board, was next taken up. The
object of the bill is the creation of fund
for old and disabled policemen. 1t would
be kept up bv one-6fth of all fines, costs
and penalties imposed by police courts; all
costs. including witness fees, in police and
criminal cases; one-half of all moneys
received from licenses granted to
pawn brokers, secondhand dealers, junk
shops and amusenents; three-fourths OF all
the monies received by the registration of
taxes upon dogs; the proceeds of sales made
bv The CITY of all unclaimed, stolen, mislaid
or found property, and the proceeds of the
sales of all worn out, abandoned or disused
property and horses connected with the
Bureau of Police.
Several members had previously expressed
themselves very strongly against this bill,
owing to the fact that the board was not re-
ouired to give bond and was in no way re-
sponsibIe for the large sums Of money it
would have to handle.
Mr.. Marshall-That bill is finally passed,
and if YOU want anv changes, you will
have to address your appeal to the Cover
nor
Considered Meritorious Measure.
Mr. Neeb-This bill is a pet of Chief
Brown, of Pittsburg. Over there they have
fund for disabled iremen, and he desired
to have the same thing for policemen. Now,
l don't think the committee should cast any
reflection upon the members of the Legis-
lature for the passage of this bill, since a
COPY of the bill has been in the hands of
Allegheny CouncIlmen since January 80,
and no objections were raised. 1 knew
nothing about any opposition on your part
to the measure, but considered it a meri-
torious bill.
Mr.. GerwIg moved that the Governor be
requested to withhold his signature from
the bill until he hears further from the COM
mittee. This was passed.
Senate bill No. 264, known as the ''cura-
tive bill" was next taken up. Mr.. Elphin-
stone said it did not affect Allegheny, e1-
cept in the matter OF California avenue,
where il would save the city about S56, 900.
Senate bill No. 267, which Mr.. Elphin-
stone characterized as the second edition of
the curative bill, was laid aside, as not af-
fecting Allegheny.
Senate bill No. 80 was next taken up and
the section read which allowed property
owners the right to select the kind of pave
ment to be put down.
Mr.. Elphinstone - The gentlemen in
charge of this bill to-day decide to amend it
so that Councils will have the power to des-
ignate the kind of material to be used in
street improvements. But this is no
longer a matter for our consideration, since
it was also decided to strike off the repeal
ing clause, leaving Allegheny and Phila-
delphla under the operation of the old laws.
The street and sewer improvement laws of
these two cities were framed before the
passage Of the new constitution and if they
are not repealed can still be kept in force.
For this reason it was decided to-day to
strike out the repeating clause in the new
street act, which will leave Allegheny under
the old law Of 1870, and Philadelphia in a
similar position.
Points Decided BY the Attorneys,
Chairman Parke-Who are these gentle