Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-13
THE COUNCIL.
Street Superintendent Hutch
insOn Protests.
A Lot Of More or Less Import
ant Business Transacted.
Protests About Assessments On Los
Angeles and Breed Streets.
The City Hall to Be Insured-Dan Free
man and the Outfall Sewer.
Petitions Received-Gen-
eraI Items.

When President Bonsall called the
council to order yesterday morning eight
members were present,
City Tax and License Collector Thomp-
son reported amounts collected since the
last report of SIS ,0O7 .48, making total
to date of $27, 1895.
The ordinance for paving and sewer
ing Figueroa street between Pico and
Washington streets was passed.
The communication from the city
clerk and the tax and license collector,
complaining that the lack of clerical as
sistauce in the auditors Office had
caused grievous delay in the issuance
of licenses for collection, was referred
to the committee of the whole on mo-
ton of Mr.. Rhodes.
In long communication Street Su-
perintendent Hutchinson complained
first, OF the continuous tearing up OF the
paved streets by gas and water compan-
les. He says: SIT is my opinion that
no matter what ordinances may be
passed, what regulations adopted, or
however good the inspection may be, the
pavements of the city will never be
kept IN decent condition until all re-
movals and reservations. of the pave
ments are done solely by the city's en-
ploy6s and agents." He suggests that
when the party desiring the opening of
the street asks for permit, sufficient
sum be deposited to fully cover the cost
of repairing the excavation and paving
it. After the work has been completed
the street superintendent shall have
the excavation properly refilled by en-
ployes of that department, and then it
shall be paved by the city or it's agents.
If the latter they shall be under bonds
to do the work according to the specif-
cations.
The superintendent at any rate wants
a clause requiring at least eight inches
Of the best concrete as a foundation for
all asphalt, bituminous and kindred
pavements.
A further recommendation is to abol-
ish the entire present red-tape system
ofgranting permits. 1t is certainly I'M
necessary to compel parties to first visit
the gas or water companies and then
nearly every Office in the city hall. 1t
should be put into one department and
thereby the work of the auditor and
treasurer lessened. Mr.. Hutchinson
suggests that it be placed into his de-
partment.
The whole matter was referred to the
board of public works.
Several new propositions for opening,
paving and sewering streets were re-
ferred to the board of public works.
With reference to the opening OF Third
street, at San Pedro, Mr.. Rhodes said
that the board of public works would
probably be ready to report against it
next week.
The finance committee recommended
that in place of the $4,000 insurance pol
icy of the Southern California Insurance
company, which expired October 18th,
$500 be placed with the Western AS
surance company OF Toronto, and $4,000
with the Continental.
The report was voted on and five coun-
cilmen voted against it.
Before the vote was decided, however,
Mr.. Rees said he thought the reports of
committees should be referred, except
for any good cause.
Mr.. Nickell-I voted against it be-
cause we have carried too much insur-
ance.
Mr.. Aliord-I don't think we ought to
carry any insurance whatever. With
all the watchmen. policemen and fire.
men about city property, 1T looks to me
like wronging the taxpayers.
Mr.. Summerland-I wonder what tax
payers would say if this hall should
burn down, and it were found that no
insurance had been carried.
Mr.. McGarry-I think the rates are
exorbitant.
The City Attorney-The top floor of
this hall is regular Undertook. 1t is
all wood, and would go up like flash.
Besides, people have got into the habit
of storing all old books ana papers up
there.
Major Bonsall-We'll have sponta-
neous combustion fire up there one OF
these days.
Mr.. McGarry changed his vote, and
the recommendation was declared
passed. The matter OF which the city
attorney made mention was referred to
the building committee.
The sewer committee recommended
first, that the city sell the board Of
education 1000 feet of sewer pipe at 4212
per cent. off list price; also that the
superintendent of buildings make plans
for putting the police station in good
sanitary condition. also that the city
engineer make plans, specifications and
estimate for making the present fill at
the west limits and Ninth street twenty
feet wide for roadway; also that the
bid of J. f. White for 40 cents per lineal
foot for laying sewer, and $45 for each
manhole OF the Hollenbeck arroyo, be
accepted. The report was accepted.
The bridge committee recommended
that the bid of J, L. Mansfield for $1,000
for making fill across the Hollenbeck
arroyo be accepted. Passed.
Protests against the construction OF
sewer on Pearl, between Sixth and
Seventh streets, were heard, and action
was deferred until the afternoon session.
From w. B. Mayes ct al, asking that
the name of Lincoln Place be changed
to West Eighth street. Board of public
works.
Joseph Mesmer, agent of Domingo
Amestoy, requesting the drainage OF a
gutter in front of premises on East Los
ckra Ron1nna and