Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-31

vent the city from drawing on the sinking
| funds when the general fund was exhausted.
There was a time when this was done and the
| city's finances were away down. Since he had
taken the office Mr.. Morrow had prevented it,
but there was nothing to prevent his doing it
himself If he chose. The passage of this ordl-
nance would act as a bar to the Controller and
even he could not draw on the sinking fund
except for the proper purpose. Dishonesty
would be impossible except by conspiracy OF
himself with the Treasurer, Mayor aud the city
depository. The ordinance puts guard that
has always been needed over the Controller.
Mr.. Morrow said he expected to be able to IN
vest at least 81 per cent OF the sinking funds
under this ordinance within two years.
AS a conclusion to the discussion, Mr.. Keat-
ing said the Councils of Pittsburg should petit
to use this sinking fund money. There was no
necessity for Piling 1t up every year at the rate
Of over SS00.00O a year. The people always
paid their taxes, snd when money was needed
il was forthcoming He was in favor of leav.
ing this money
In the Pockets of the People
and thereby reducing taxation, instead of pill
ing up money where it could not be reached
Spend the money as it comes in. was his idea,
and when bonds matured buy them from the
general funds. Next year If the curative legis-
tion was not passed and signed by the Cover.
nor, the city would be called on to pay from
s.. 500 900 to S. 100000 for street improvements
made under the acts Of 1887 and 1859. Mr.. keat-
ing had opposed going too fast under those
acts but he could not oppose the improvement
of the city's streets when the citv's growth de-
manded and depended on it, and now that the
improvements were made the city would not
greatly suffer even If she d1d have to pay for
them. And next year if this money had TO be
paid he was in favor of clapping on tax OF 70
or even 40 mills to pay of the debt and be done
with it. If this plan were carried out, and
when the money was not actually needed, it
should be allowed to remain in the pockets of
the people it would be better all round and the
people would be better satisfied.
MIR. Warmcastle did not further insist on his
motion to postpone, and a vote being taken the
ordinance was passed by vote of "A to l, Mr..
Warmcastle being the only negative
Preventing Collusion Among Bidders.
When the ordinance authorizing chiefs Of
departments to award contracts was taken up
Mr.. Warmcastle wanted to amend by striking
out the clause which provides that any or all
bills may be rejected. Mr.. Benz, being con-
tractor. showed how this would be removing
safeguard against collusion among bidders and
detrimental TO the city's interests. He was
ably supported by Mr.. Heating and the amend
ment was defeated, after which the ordinance
was unanimously passed.
The next matter considered was the approval
of number of plans OF lots. Mr.. keating op-
posed their approval on the ground that the
Supreme Court decisions left the city in such
shape that it would be unsafe to do anything of
that character until new legislation was Sc
cured which, owing to Governor Pattisons at
titude. was anything but sure thing, although
he hoped there would be nothing to prevent
anything SO badly needed.
Dr. Evans and Mr.. Robertson argued that it
would be perfectly safe to approve plan of
lots and hardship on those who desired them
approved If 1t were not done. DR.. Evans said
Councils was enough of a nuisance now to the
citizens Mr.. Robertson incidentally inrimat-
ed that Mr.. Heating had been struck" by the
Supreme Court decision and was disposed to
take il so much to heart that he would favor
no improvement, no matter how legal 1t
might be.
Didn't Like the Insinuation.
Mr.. Keating hotly resented the intimation.
saying he had not been struck" except as any
other taxpayer would be. and that was on the
pocketbook. He had not foot OF East End
property and none that was affected by the
court decision. He opposed any LEGISLATION by
Councils until it was ascertained where the
backward movement of the Supreme Court
would end. Until then no one could say where
the city stood, nor what her rights were There
was not lawyer in the city who knew, and he
himself did not pretend to know.
The plans, being for several plots Of ground
in the Thirteenth, Twentieth and Twenty
third wards, were finally approved, Mr.Keating
only voting in the negative.
Mir. Robertson, as Chairman of the Commit
tee on Legislation, formally reported that the
Allegheny and Pittsburg committees had met
jointly and approved all legislation proposed at
Harrisburg except what is known as the park
bill, which the Allegheny committee had de-
clIned 10 approve at present