Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-21
SCHEMING FOR PLACE.
The Curative Bills introduced in the
Senate Are Only Flyers.
BETTER ONES TO BE SUBSTITUTED.
Street Improvements on the lnstallment
Plan Is Suggested.
WHO WILL DETERMINE THE MILLAGE

The Finance Committee OF Councils met
in secret session yesterday. 1t did not do
much of anything but talk and be mys-
terious
The members present were Messrs. keat-
ing, Binder, Robertson, Anderson. Paul.
King, Dunn, Mcclure, Delaney, Bigham.
McGonnigle, Angloch, Donley, Wallace,
Magee, Holiday, Ford and Controller Nor
row.
The first action was to confirm the ap-
polntment of D. I. Watson and w. B.
Rodgers to draft new street bills for the
city. The compensation already fixed by
the subcommittee was also indorsed.
When the matter Of levying taxes, assess
ing water rents, and making appropriations
for the fiscal year beginning February 1,
1891, was called up only skeleton appro-
priation ordinance was presented. The
matter was not discussed, but referred to a
subcommittee composed of the following
gentlemen: Messrs. Keating, Ford. Holli-
day, Magee and McGonnigle. A. f. Keat-
ing will be chairman of the committee.
The Mayors Message Again Referred,
The Mayors message was presented and
referred to the subcommittee without being
read.
Mr.. Bigham desired to know the meaning
of the bills presented in the State Senate by
Senator Finn, relating to assessments for
street improvements.
Chairman Magee volunteered the informa-
tion that the bills were only what is known
as flyers" in legislative parlance. They
are presented simply to secure a place on
the bill calendar of the Senate, and when
the time comes Tor action on them, different
bills will be substituted for the present ones
under the same caption 1t is intended that
more time will be taken in their preparation
and the new ones will be better suited to the
purpose and more in accord with the con-
stitution. Mr.. Magee, however, thought
it might be impossible to prepare any better
ones.
Mr.. Bigham Immediately took exception
to the last remark. and said that there was
fatal defect in one of them at least. 1t
provided for assessments by the Viewers on
the foot frontage plan. which had been
clearly declared unconstitutional.
Controller Morrow replied that his under
standing of the bill was that it included
foot frontage assessments as we'll as assess
ment for benefits derived by property i'm
proved.
Mr.. Bigham said this made no difference
To be constitutional, in his Judgment, the
bill should provide simply for assessments
by the Viewers, leaving to their discretion
The plan OF assessment to be determined by
the surrounding circumstances in each case
General Talk on the Street Act.
A general talk upon the street act ques-
ton followed, and was entered into by all
the members present. Mr.. Robertson said
that he knew OF new street bill that had
been prepared for presentation, which pro-
vided that Improvements shatl be paid for
on the installment plan, so much per year,
as was done under the Penn avenue act, the
city to issue certificates of Indebtedness for
the money.
Controller Morrow and Mr.. Magee
promptly declared opposition to any such
measure, saying 1t was not only an un-
businesslike method, but would be embar-
RAISING to the city in many ways.
Mr.. Robertson wanted to know if the sub
Committee on Legislation was prepared 10
make any report on the street act muddle
but the committee responded that 1t had
nothing to report, the matter being at pres
ent entirely in the hands of the attorneys.
Consequently. the report of Improvements,
affected by the Supreme Court decision,
prepared by Chief Bigelow, was not pre-
sented.
Most of the time of the committee was
taken up in considering the claim OF w. E.
Johnston for refunding the COSTS of lien
filed against his property for street improve
ment, on the ground that the assessment had
been illegally made. Mr.. Robertson pre-
sented the claim and endeavored to have it
allowed, but after lengthy discussion the
matter was referred to subcommittee.