The record-union., 1891-03-10
TRIFLE TOO RADICAL.
The Improvement Associations Ideas
Before the Trustees.
A Sidewalk and Awning Inspector
-Ponderous Thought-The
ssGreen'' Member.

The Executive Committee of the I'M
provement Association met last evening
at 6l4 l street, President G. A. Luhrs in
the chair.
Secretary Hughes reported to the COM
mittee that the subcommittee appointed
to confer with the City Trustees regard
ing the proposition of the Improvement
Association to have all wooden awnings
and sidewalks in the business districts
removed within twelve months, had had
conference as directed. The Trustees,
however, thought the associations ideas
a little too radical, and suggested that an
ordinance be drawn up and submitted,
whereby only adjustible and iron
awnings would be allowed.
X. ID. Stephens thought it would be a
good idea to accept the situation and pre-
vail upon the Trustees to pass such an
ordinance as suggested. Mr.. Stephens
made motion that committee be ap-
was carried. The committee appointed
consists of Messrs. Weinstock, Irwin,
Luhrs and Hughes.
GRANITE PAvEMENTs.
Mr.. Stephens called attention to an item
he had seen in the newspapers recently
regarding new-styte granite pavement
that was spoken very highly of.
Chairman Luhrs said he knew all
about the pavement. 1t was composed of
broken granite, and was used throughout
the East and in Europe. There We're
several streets paved with it in Oakland,
too. 1t made magnificent street, and
was twice as good as gravel-but cost
twice as much.
The cost proposition settled it. An
other subject was taken up.
s. Il. Darlington stated that some time
in October last he had been appointed a
committee of one to look into the matter
OF reducing the expenses of street survey
ing. After an investigation, however, he
discovered that instead of needing re-
duction, the City Surveyors department
was not large enough to keep up with the
work it was called upon to do. He had
also been appointed as committee to
look into the matter of extending
Twenty-frst street to the levee, thus Civ
ing another outlet to the city. He found
that more street work had been ordered
than the contractors could attend to, SO
he let that matter drop, too.
A "GREEN' MEMBER.
J. B. Gilbert, who admitted that he was
rather green" as a member of the as
sociation, caused some humorous debate
by suggesting that a sidewalk and avn
ing inspector should be appointed from
the association by the Trustees. He also
wanted to know if the association had any
authority or power.
thority was concerned the association
was nonentity, but when it came to in
fluence it was a ''daisy7' The Trustees,
Supervisors, and, in fact, all city and
county officers looked to the association
for advice-but that was all it amounted
to. But in regard to a sidewalk and
awning inspector, Chairman Luhrs in
formed MIR. Gilbert that the city was al
ready provided with one of those useful
articles.
Mr.. Gilbert looked surprised. So did
some of the other members who We're not
green" But when Mr.. Gilbert re-
covered his breath he said he thought the
inspector should not have any political
strings attached to him, and should be
selected from the Improvement Associa-
ton.
BRILLIANT SCHEME.
Mr.. Darlington then evolved a deep,
dark plot.
Instead of going to the trouble of hav-
ing the present Inspector fired" COM
mittee would be entrusted with the duty
OF inveigling him into becoming a MEM
ber Of the association-then Mr.. Gilbert's
idea would be realized.
After some desultory talk on unimport-
ant topics, the Chairman announced that
he had appointed the following standing
committees for the ensuing year: AVN
ings,, Buildings and DISTINCTIONS to
Sidewalks, 7. w. Huntington; DISPOSE
ton of Garbage and Filling in of Low
Lots, 5. Tryon; Sewerage and Drainage
j. ii. Parkinson; Street Railway Facili-
ties, F. r. Dray; Public Parks and Play
grounds, G. w. Baker; Opening and I'M
proving Sidewalks, Ornamental Trees,
etc., S. e. Carrington; Waterworks, Ma
chinery and Plans for Supplying Pure
Water for Domestic Purposes, J. o. Cole
ests, j. b. Gilbert.