Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
MORE BONDED DEBT.
Finance Committee Differs on Con-
trOller MOrrOW's Plan
TO HAVE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.
Several of the Members Very Strongly
Opposed to the Idea.
TWAS REFERRED TO A SUBCOMMITTEE

The question of q popular vote on increas-
ing the ciIy debt to pay for street improve
ments has been submitted to committee OF
three. AT a meeting of the Finance Com
mittee yesterday afternoon it caused con-
siderable discussion and found several op-
ponents. Controller Morrow's communica-
tion and ordinance for a popular vote was
the first business taken up by the COM
mittee. Messrs. Keating and Paul both
argued strongly in favor of the plan. They
claimed that it would be fully two
years before the assessments on many
of the improved streets could be col
lected from the property owners, for
in the courts every possible ad-
vantage to delay or evade payments
would be taken by those opposed to
paying for improvements to their proper
ties. They held that unless some action Of
the sort suggested by the Controller was
taken the unpaid contractors would soon be
filing judgments against the city, and the
courts would probably grant them.
The People Are Down on Debts.
Mr.. MacGonnigle-I am opposed to the
Controllers plan. L do not believe the peo-
debt If given an opportunity they will vote
1t down. The sentiment is so strong against
the plan that the expense of holding an
election would be useless one. AS to con-
need be little fear. There is an understanding
between the contractors and the city on all
Improvement that the latter shall be allowed
two years to collect its money. Until that
time there is no danger of any judgments be-
ing filed against the city.
Mr. Bighanl-While the Controllers plan
Is theoretically plain and clear it will be
found impracticable if carried into effect.
The argument is in favor of the ordinance
because it looks feasible, but those in favor
of it will find, even if the people can be per-
suaded to support and elect the increase of
debt, there will be a great many who will
say that as the city has paid the debt
against their property they will not pay 1t
back II they can avoid it.
Will Put the City in a Hole.
''They will exert every available in
fluence," he continued, "to secure either a
compromise o. total exoneration. The
city will then have to make up for all this
money by taxation, and the people whose
property has been benefited will be just that
much ahead by reason of the increased valu-
alton"
MIR. Binder also expressed himself as op-
posed to the plan. After more discussion, a
motion to refer the ordinance and accom-.
panytng communication to committee of
three was adopted. The committee, as
named consists of Messrs. W. A. Magee, A
F. Keating and H. P. Ford.
The petition of Julia Devine, who claims
81, 500 damages from the city because her
home on Lewis street, Eighteenth ward was
destroyed by fire last May on account of al
legged fnsuficiency of water supply, was also
referred to a subcommittee. Messrs. Mac
Gonnigle, Paul and Delaney were appointed.
The ordinance providing Tor the appoint
ment of three Assistant City Attorneys at
an annual salary of 81, 500 each was afffrma-
lively recommended to Councils. Resolu-
t1ons for the following warrants were also
recommended: To John A. Bennett, sll3,
and John A. Dravo s44 49, for supplies fur
nished without contract to the Department. of
Public Safety; Philadelphia Company,
S507 81 for cast iron water pipe; DR.. .Oldshue's
estate, $125, for professional services rem
dered to Fire Bureau employees.