St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-12

"A Proposition to Abolish Birge's
Office Meets With No Backing
-IntimatiOn That a Big Saw
tioned-Summarie of Monthly
Reports.
=: The conference meeting yesterday
afternoon was short one. yet anything
put decisive. The mayor reported that
he had looked into the proposed con-
solidatiOn of the police and fire alarm
Geographic system, and there was but
one thing In the way; That was the
opinion of the, city attorney to the effect
that if the position of superintendent
of the police alarm, system were abol-
lshed the salary of 1920 could not be
paid to any one elSe.\
Mr.. Bement suggested that as the fire
department was short of funds the SUI
perintendenJ of the fire alarm system
be the one let out, and this would make
saving of $4,000 to the city and the
department. The two systems consol-
idated in Minneapolis, Mr.. Bement
said, cost but $4,000, while here the
ents cost $11, 600.
City Treasurer Miller was of the opin-
ion that the Office of superintendent of
IRE alarm should be done away with, on
|. account Of the department being, as he
expressed it, Tin the hole"
The mayor explained that Supt.Birge,
OF the police alarm system, after paying
his operators and linemen, had but
$1,000 of the s., 200 left for his own SAL
airy.
Mr.. Kerwin said he had investigated
the cost of the systems in the two cities,
and found when all things were counted
up there was
NO GREAT DIFFERENCE
in the total expense. Asked for de-
tailed figures, MIR. KerwIn was not able
to give them, but was sure he was cor
| rect in his statements.
Mr.. Freeman, of the fire board, said
the expense of the fire department
system could not be reduced except as
to the salary of the superintendent. The
| two iinemen now employed could not
do the work if the systems were con-
solldated. The mayor said Superinten-
dent Hughes had informed him the two
men could do the work easily, after
which statement Mr.. Freeman quickly
| subsidized.
Mr.. Wheelock thought there was no
need OF any further argument or dis
cussIon. The adjustment of the Office
| OF superintendent of the police system
| would save SIS, 200 to the police depart
ment fund and the city council should
| be requested to abolish the office.
Comptroller McCardy said he had al
ready sent resolutions to the council
| with this end in view. but as the mem-
bers OF the conference did not seem to
be very anxious to take any decisive
| steps the matter was dropped.
ANOTHER FUND SHORT.
City Engineer RunGlett called atten
| tion to the condition of the street and
| sewer fund. The amount expended for
| the fund, including August bills and
| pay rolls, would leave only balance of
| SlO,654.50. The amount available for the
| fund this year up 10 date was only 1924,
412, while last year the department re-
! ceiyed the full appropriation, Sl50.000.
! The amount now on hand would only
last,as closely as 1t had been economized,
to Oct. l, and then unless something
were received from delinquent taxes
| work would have to stop. The members
| thought this was a matter which could
be discussed by the city engineer and
| comptroller. and so referred it.
The clerk called attention to the COM
| munication from the city hospital staff
asking that $50. 600 be placed IN the next
tax levy to finish the ward building, but
discussion Oh this subject was headed
off by motion to adjourn.
| MONTHLY SUMMARIES.
The following are summaries OF the
monthly reports submitted:
| Mayor-Warrants signed by mayor
during mouth of August exclusive of
warrants for paying principal and i'll
terest Oh bonded debt), $685.. 222.3
Water Board-Total expenditures for
August, S19,203.63; collections, S15,-
42LO6.
City Engineer-Pay roll sewer and
street torce, SS,96l.5S; engineers pay
roll, 81, 556.23; inspectors pay roll.
Sl,276.25; livery pay roll, sl05; actual
number of days work for men and teams
! during month: men, 2.03S: teams, $50.
Fire Board-EXpense authorized by
board since last report, 1892. SO: number
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