The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-11
ONE BOARD DOOMED.
The Park Commissioners Placed
in Jeopardy.
BUREAU or LABOR STATISTICS.
Charter Revfsisa Csmnastss Makes Ms
ssrlaa rh.aEes-Me6ise.sss Of
Tsn-Yssr BEAD sysseu-

4
/ The charter revision committee last
/ night determined Hpou two important
/ changes IN the city government One OF
| these was the abolition Of the board OF
| park commissioners and the division OF
Its duties between the city council and the
| board Of public works The other was the
| adoption Of Alderman Ingram's plan TO
have board OF works consisting of three
members, one of whom shall be superin-
t~ndent Of water works, another Of streets
and sewers and the third OF buildings.
This does away with the proposition TO
have only two OF the same political faith.
/ Mr.. Armstrong proposed an amendment
to the effect that all work to be paid in
whole or in part by the city shall be by
days labor under the direction OF the
board Of public works. He spoke in favor
| OF the amendment, claiming that the city
had been put TO great trouble and expense
through work in the grading of streets
being accepted when IL vas entirely un-
| satisfactory
Mr.. Donworth agreed with Mr.. Arm
strong except ss to original grading. As
to that the property owners petitioning
for street improvements desired 10 know
| in advance what they would be required
1 w pay A1E Cay AlsU HScAG4 VI AnOM
| what such work would cost In other re-
| specis the city had usually adopted the
| day labor plan.
The amendment was lost.
| II was proposed to amend the system of
immediate payment for street improve
ments by permitting those who desired to
| pay for street grading at once to do so,
bat allowing payment in five annual In
staliments with the option of paying the
| whole balance over any one-hfth at the
viii OF the property owner.
Mr.. Donworth thought this plan would
be better as an amendment to the ten-year
bond system One result of allowing de-
| ferred payments would be to increase the
| original cost which must be borne by
those property owners willing to pay cash
| equally with those who deferred their
| payments.
| The amendment was voted down, and
Mr.. Donworth was granted permission to
l introduce an amendment to the ten-year
| bond system. His plan is that before local
| improvement bonds are sold those who de-
sire to pay in full can do so; those who
afterward desire can pay the entire amount
at the end of any year by adding per
cent This received the approval of the
| committee.
Mr.. Armstrong introduced an amend
ment providing that the city shall take
| steps toward owning its electric lighting
l plant. Mr.. Scott reminded him that the
charter already gave the city the necessary
/ power. If the people voted in favor Of Is
| suing bonds for the purpose.
| Mr.. Donworth said it was no part of the
business Of the committee to recommend
| propositions already provided for.
Mayor Ronald proposed 10 extend the
! term for which contracts for Lighting the
streets might be made.
| Mr.. Armstrong opposed IL as giving q
| chance 10 the council to make q contract
which would postpone ownership Of q
| plant. The amendment was accordingly
rejected.
| When the section was reached which
related to public parks Amendments was
made that they be placed under q superin-
| tendent. Mr.. Donworth suggested that il
would involve a complication in the
amendments. He considered 10 better to
/ have an amendment under the article on
| parks, placing the duties OF that commits
sion upon the board of public works. if IL
/ was decided to abolish the commission.
| This was agreed to- and the board abol-
ished so far as the committee is concerned.
Mr.. Armstrong desired TO combine the
| offices of superintendents of sewers and
/ streets. but Alderman Ingram objected on
the ground that il was contemplated TO
| have extensive sewer works and separate
| supervision would be necessary. Mr.. Arm
| strong replied that he could hire compe-
tent foremen, and his amendment was
adopted.
The system of initiative and referendum
4 III "A a. - 4
to amend il by adding that any amend
ment petiiioned for may be revised by the
| city council, but shall not be altered in
any material feature.
Mr.. Kerr said some such provision was
necessary in order to avoid confusion.
| Mr.. Armstrong admitted that the plan
was open to that objection and he desired
TO overcome it.
Alderman Jordan feared that an adverse
city council could make an amendment
/ purposely ambiguous. The people we're
| trusted TO decide what church TO 20 to and
he thought there would be enough lawyers
in fifteen per cent of the voting population
10 draft charter amendment
Delegate Drew's plan for a bureau Of
] labor statistics vas read.
Mr. Kerr wanted 10 consider the matter;
| IL looked like class legislation and IS q
Democrat he vas opposed to that. Il was
laid over.
| Mr.. Denworth offered an amendment
sbolishing one of the official newspapers.
Mr.. Armstrong thought il would be
l detrimental. for the reason that people
desired 10 read their own party papers and
/ still keep posted on city matters.
Mayor Ronald thought they had no
/ right 10 tax people 20 keep up newspapers
| Two official newspapers have cost the city
1 5000 or $500 year unnecessarily.
Dr. Jordan wanted TO kali OF one; be
dldn't care which. 1t vas a question Of
saving expense. No action was taken.
The committee adjourned until. Tuesday
evening.