Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-30
THE OWEN PROVED rALsR.

A Lively Tilt Between Mayor sargent |
and Commissioner AtHvater mt the |
Meeting Of the Board of Public
Works.
A special meeting of the board of public |
works was held last evening, Mayor Sar-
gent presiding. Only the ssbig four" were
present A few minutes after the meeting
was called to order little sparrow flew in
the window to seek shelter from the rain.
The bird lowered over the heads of the
august commissioners, and the supersti-
tious auditors present took it as an omen
of peace. Succeeding events, however,
proved that instead of peace the bird
brought some of the storm of out of doors
in with it. Mayor Sargent and Commits
sioner Atwater were the warriors last
evening, and they kept it going right mer-
rily.
One of the first matters taken up was
the question Oh, vacations. Upon motion of
Commissioner State, the matter of grant
ing permission for leave of absence to en-
ployes of the board was referred to the
mayor, with power to act. A petition was
presented to the board asking that storm
overflow be constructed on Olive street.
The matter was referred to the city en-
gineer with power to do the necessary
work, employing men by the day.
John 81. Moore appeared before the
board and asked that crosswalk be con-
structed at the corner of Winchester ave-
nue. and Webster street. The matter was
referred to Mr.. Doyle with power to act.
Mayor Sargent presented scheme of
his own for five new streets, two between
Munson and Division streets and three be-
tween Mansfield street and Winchester
avenue. The suggestion was referred to
the city engineer with power to give the
property owners hearing in the matter.
The matter of employinga civil engineer
as an assistant to Mr.. Hill was brought up
by Mayor Sargent. He informed the board
that he had employed Mr.. Briggs pre-
viously. Mr.. Atwater said that he was
anxious to have Mr.. Verrill appointed at
this meeting Mr.. States said that he was
not in favor of engaging man to work for
the city and the park commission and re-
ceive his salary from the city. He said he
man and allow the park commission to
have his services, provided they paid for
them.
The mayor stated that the park COM
mission were in need of help and it was
,, necessary that man should be engaged.
This awakened Mr.. Atwater, who inquired
of the mayor why it was if the park COM
mission were in such need of help that the
engineer corps was engaged working on
plans and survey of the Hamden bridge.
Mayor Sargent stated that such was not
the case, as the men were not working for
the town of Hamden but for the park
commission.
Mr.. Atwater said that he would state
his information on the subject.
Mayor Sargent then said that he need
not and there was no need of making any
trouble over the matter.
Mr.. Atwater then told the mayor that he
would state his information to the board,
which he did. After SO doing Mr.. Atwa-
| ter was tenacious in his belief in the truth
of his statement that the city engineers
| corps had been doing work for the town
of Hamden.
Mayor Sargent was somewhat aroused
| by Mr.. Atwater's remark and replied that
| there was no use in trying to turn this
| against City Engineer Hill on account of a
petty personal spite.
Mr.. Hill at this point started to address
| the board, but Mr.. Atwater told him that
| it was not necessary for him to say any
| thing as he had had good spokesman in
| the mayor. Mr.. Atwater diselained any
| thrust at Mr.. Hill, remarking that the
| mayor was very touchy on Mr.. Hill.
| Later, however, Mr.. Hill stated that
| Mr.. Farnam had promised to make q
| donation to cover all the expenses of en-
| gineer's services on the Hamden bridge.
Owing to this Mr.. Hill acknowledged that
he had done some work on the bridge,
but that it had been all done at night
At the conclusion of the controversy,
Mr.. Atwater moved that the board pro,
| coed to appoint two assistant engineers.
Mr.. Atwater presented the name of
| George E. Verrill, a son of Professor Yer
| rill of Yale.
Commissioner States said that he would
| like to have the vote taken when all the
members were present, but that rather
than block wheels of business he would
vote every time the hat was passed. Be-
| fore the vote was taken Mr.. Atwater ques-
toned the mayor in a way that made
that official think that the inquiries
| were aimed at Mr.. Hill. Mr.. Hill then at
tempted to say something, but Mr.. Atwate1
| prevented him, tellingshim he had no right
to speak unless asked to, as he was not g
| member Of the board.
| The voting for two assistant en- gineers
resulted in the appointment of Frank A.
| Maloney. Four ballots were taken for the
| election of the second engineer, but nc
| one was chosen as g. E. Verrill received
| three votes; W. G. Briggs one. AS the
"Big Four could not agree an adjourn
ment was taken.