Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-04
HOWLS FOR REFORM,
An Economical and Cautious Spirit
Sill Pervading the Allegheny
Select Council.
SALARIES WON'T BE ENORMOUS.
No Trouble at All Experienced in Passing
the Charter Ordinance al Last
Nights Meeting.
MR.. SPEER MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT.
Hs Insists Dpon Hsving Cold, Hard Facts, and Not
Thoughts, Presented.

of the ordinances, and those relating to the
city's transformation were acted upon rap.
idly and with precision. 1t was different,
however, with the appropriation ordinance,
and as much fun for many of the Council
; men and the who lie of the lobby, which was
crowded ensued on its discussion as would
have done credit to an average theatrical
entertainment The reform element in
Council made itself heard, and the Finance
Committee had Il hard time in trying to sus-
tain its recommendations for many of the
appropriations.
When President L lindsay called the Council
10 order at s o'clock to the minute there
were IS members present out of possible
26 but another five dropped in within the
succeeding half hour, leaving but three ab-
sentees, Messrs. Honnan, Roethleim and
Walthers. Mr.. Brown wanted to dispense
with the reading OF the minutes but the
President evidently thought the occasion
worthy of a record, so he ruled that the
records should be read. Mr.. Einstein, when
the minutes had been read, referring to sec
tion s, ordinance 155, thought that the Poor
Physicians salary had been fixed at S5OS,
and not at $780, as stated in the records, but
be was shown to be mistaken. The minutes
were approved.
The General Ordinance Called Up.
George A Cochrane then called up the
general ordinance, No. 153, creating the de-
partments of safety, public works, chari-
ties, awards, law and library. and pro-
viding for the necessary bureaus.
Arthur Kennedy moved and w. W.
Speer seconded its second reading, which
was carried. Mr.. Kennedy next moved its
final adoption, when Mr.. Hartman wanted
to know if it would repeal the act of the
Legislature under which the present Di-
rectors of the Poor served, and whether the
decision of the Supreme Court applied to
them.
Mr.. Kennedy replied that the directors
might be right in holding to their present
offices, but, in any case, Councils would
proceed according TO law. He understood
that they had employed counsel to see
whether they were superseded by this ordi-
nance or not. The ordinance was then put
and finally adopted by a vote of all the
members present.
Mr.. Cochrare next read the ordinance
No. 154, fixing the number of newspapers in
which the official printing should be done,
regulating the manner in which the adver-
tisng for proposals to do the same shall be
invited, authorizing the Mayor to enter into
contracts. etc. This, was at once adopted by
the same number of votes.
Passed as Soon as Read.
Ordinance No. l5j. fixing the number of joint
standing committees, the apportionment of
nv Mr. nd
passed i'll similar short order, was No. l56,
establishing the office of Controller of Taxes,
defining his duties, etc. The next No. l57,
relating to the Board of Assessors, was dis
posed of as soon read, and SO was No. los, in
relation to the city seals
The charter ordinances thus having been
rapidly disposed of President Lindsay called
Mr.. COchrane to the chair, and Councils then
went into committee of the whole TO consider
the APPROXIMATION ordinances No 159 and Mr..
HenrIcks made the first motion ny advocating
the reduction of the general tax from IL mills
to 2mills. He withdrew the motion TEN porarlly
until the estimated expenses conld be reached.
When this was done the first blow was struck,
Mr.. Kennedy moving to reduce the figure for
salaries from So 400 to $4,000
Mr. WerIheimer objected. There was but
SIS 700 in the contingent fund, he said, and he
dId not know where the money was to come
from TO run the CITY. A reduction OF 1 mill
made a difference of S50, 600 in the income of
the city, There were many contingencies to
meet among Others new bridge TO be built at
Herrs Island for S3OOOO
w. W. Speer, interrupting, said: 81 wish to
put the point of order that the gentleman is not
in order"
Mr.. Wertheimer-I wish Mr.. Speer wouldn't
bother; and proceeded to say that preparations
were being made to get in the old shape. Some
claim that 50 per cent of the taxes would be
collected when il was well known that 50 per
cent had never been gotten in.
During his address Mr.. Werthemer was fire.
quently interrupted by Mr. SDeer and finally
said TO him Don't bother Inc" to the great de-
light of the lobby.
Mr. Lare made speech, the burden of it was
that this was important legislation and the city
should ''go slow" He talked about the eX-
pense of the city's clerical work and attacked
the Finance Committee for not giving details
Mr.. Snaman offered the information. Mr. Lare
would not yield it and Mr.. Snaman SAID he did
not know what he was talking about and the
lobby was again delighted 1t was boisterous
quarter of an hour.
The Exact Amount of the Cut.
Arthur Kennedy said that year in. year out,
committees were cat down in their estimates
and it resulted in $4,000 debt pling up The
cut made IN salaries at the last meeting
amounted to So, 400 or one-tenth of a mill. That
was the result OF the labor of the mountain.
some of the cut was outrageous; other parts
were all right. But rhatwas lne amount of the
cut and nothing more.
lie deprecated the interruptions which took
place and said they should be there as business
men and not make monkey show of them
The salaries were fixed at s65,OOO instead Of
s704O0.
The next item was interest $1,000 Mr..
Speer wanted TO know on what was the inter-
est He said he wanted information and was
there to Eetit.
Mr.. Snaman Chairman of the Finance Com
Inittee-Iuterest upon new bonds not provided
for.
Mr. Henricks thought 1t was to provide inter-
est o. the deficiency
Nj. Speer said he did not want thoughts, he
wanted facts. and then there was general
call for the Controller to throw some lighr upon
the Item. Meanwhile, number OF members
arose and began talking all az once. until the
Chairman called Tor order and the Controller
said the interest was for bonds outside of the
sinking fund.
The fire department item of SI05 2l4 came up
next, and w. ". Kennedy moved to reduce il TO
SI00 0O0 which was carried.
The street department item of SS0O00 was cut
to SO 0OO without trouble. The pollce depart
ment item was fixed at sI3S 679 6l. Mr.. Speer
moved To cut 1t 10 Sl30, ,000 aud his motion was
quickly followed by others for $3.50 sl20 0U0
and 100000. Mr.. WerTheimer asked the gen.
tlemen to show how the department could be
run on any such money! Councils had fixed
the force at certain strength and the men
had to be paid.
Old Women on the Police Force
Mr.. Speer-The citizens OF Allegheny are
blessed. They have fewer thieves than most
cities, but at the same time they are blessed
with a greater number of old women on the
police force than any city in the country. If
tine gates around the city hall were locked, and
if man could only get on the fence by climb.
ing over them. nine-tenths of the police force
would be looking for other jobs. Nine-tenths
os them couldn't run two squares without fall
ing down. Just look at them. What are they?
Wooden men. Wooden men! Much laugh
teri We could get good men for the money
Dsy them.
Mr., snaman defended his estimates, but Mr..