Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-05
LEFT TO THE PEOPLE.
Plan to Improve Allegheny by Is
suing S75O,OOO Bonds.
FORTUNES TO BE SPENT ANNUALLY
In Transforming the Present Town to a
Real Sccond-Class City.
MR.. wERTHEIMER LAYS DOWN THE LAW


on to vote on increasing the bonded indebted
ness to the amount of $7500O0 and possibly
$500, 600. OF this amount $500 600 is to be ex-
pended in making streets for Allegheny.
Another 100000 will disappear in the
work of extending the water system
and $4,000 in relieving the darkness of
the city by perfecting the light system.
In the matter of perfecting the lighting of
the city it is estimated that at least 100000
will be needed, especially in view of the fact
that the city expects to do commercial light
ing, and even if it was not new ground
a new plant would have to be erected in
order to make the supply of power equal to
the anticipated growth of Allegheny,
This project was brought out last night at
the meeting of the Public Works Committee
and is largely result of the parsimoni-
Gus policy and mistakes of the old
Councils. The economic policy which
prevailed when the appropriation ordinance
for this year was passed is already having
its effect in the cramped condition of the
city's finances The appropriations were cut
away below the figures offered by the
Finance Committee, and as a result each
committee has started the cry that their ap-
propriotions will be exhausted before the
winter sets in.
Wertheimer Holds the Key.
to cut the figures are now trying to raid the
contingent fund, but Emanuel Wertheimer,
as Chairman of the Finance Committee, has
drawn on an "I-told-you-so" air and declares
that not a cent of it shall go ou5 until
after all the appropriations have been
exhausted. His language was that the city
must live within the present appropriation
if the water had to be shut of and every
man discharged from the police force. In
fact, he says he has given pledge that the
shall debt
of the year.
The whole matter grew out of the reportof
the sub-committe or water, which recon-
mended the purchase of four new boilers for
the Howard street pumping station. The mon
eywas to be taken from the contingent fund.
When Chairman Gerwig read the report Mr..
Wertheimer at once caught the sound of
contingent fund and moved to lay over. At
the same time Mr.. Koehler moved to affirma-
lively reconsider. and Mr.. Einstein furnished
the second for the latter motion.
Mr.. Lowell oppose this because these
new boilers were Included in the appropria-
tion of the Light Committee for this year,
from the contingent fund. 1t must come out
of the appropriation. If it is sent to the
committee in this shape will try to kill it
in Select branch.
Mr. Knox-And I'll try to knock it in Com
mon.
Mr. Einstein-But this Improvement must
he made. The people on the hill are suffer
ing for want of water, and we can't afford to
take it out of the present appropriation.
Why, there are pipes that have been lying in
the hill districts for two years that the city
tion would not allow it to be done this year.
Almost Half the Appropriation Gone.
Chief Ehlers was then called on and stated
that of Che water appropriation of $4,000
only S9l, 900 yet remained, and the running
expenses of the bureau for the remainder
of the year would be at least $1,000 This
would leave only 81, 900 for all the improve
ments
that Councils had voted the present appropri-
ations and would have to stick to them.
Said he: CAS- chairman of the Finance Com
lnittee, have pledged myself that this city
shall not be one cent in debt at the end of
the year, and the contingent fund must not
be drawn upon before all the appropriations
are exhausted. We will discharge every
member OF the ool1ce ana nre forces rather
than go in debt.
lie then offered an amendment to draw
the money from the appropriation, and the
ordinance as amended was affirnatively
recommended. Mr.. Wertheimer then said:
"As the city needs better streets and better
water and light systems, recommend that
the clerk prepare an ordinance for Councils
to submit to "A vote of the people for the issue
of $750.00O worth of bonds OF this amount
are $500 600 to be devoted to street improve
ments, 100000 to be expended annually; $780,
600 for the extension of the, water system
and $4,000 to perfect the light plant. These
bonds are to be issued as the money is
needed"
In speaking on the matter he said the light
tower should come down, and, in fact, that
was the general opinion. Mr.. Lowe favored
the bond issue, but thought at least 100000
should be devoted to light superintendent
Hunter of the Bureau of Lighting, was
called on and expressed the same idea. but
as that can be adjusted when the matter
comes before Councils, Mr.. Wertheimer's
recommendation was passed as a whole.
subcommittee Made Auditors.
At the opening OF the meeting motion
was adopted that hereafter all bills be
audited by subcommittee, also that a COM
mittee of five be appointed to open and conf
pile all bids, SO that the general committee
can go ahead without any delay.
The bids for the department supplies were
read, with the following results: Ice, Arctic
Ice Company at III cents per 100 pounds:
carbons, Washington Carbon Company, $50
per l,000 gum packing, j. & III. Phillips; mis-
cellaneous castings, Thomas Carlin & Son:
eurbstones and crossings, James McAfee
The bids for coal and hardware were sent
as were also bids for the erection of the Bay
ard street sewer.
The matter of paving California avenue
was taken up 4 special committee will eX
anime the need of the Improvement and tine
matter will be decided at a special meeting
on Monday.
A resolution for the raising of the streets
i'll the First ward to the high water line was
referred to the Chief of the Department of
Public Works, with instructions to prepare
plans and an estimate of the cost of the
work.
The subcommittee on city property re-
ported having placed an insurance of $25,-
600 on the electric light plant. The resolu-
ton to put up 80 new lights and take the
money from the contingent fund was caught