The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-06

Only Three Members-Franchises
Asked for Two New Trolley Lines
in the North End--Linden Street
Bridge Ordinance Again Delayed.
The Scranton Rapid Transit company
received its second knock out ut last
nights council meeting when the rail-
ways committee again reported ad-
versely on the ordinance providing for
the granting of two franchises to the
Rapid Transit company.
The routes proposed are from Peters,
burg into the city and the South Side
route, both of which were held by the
Scranton Traction company until an.
nulled recently by the mayor. The
first adverse report was made last
month but Mr. Connell, of the Twen-
tieth ward. at the last meeting sue
ceeded in having the matter again re-
terred to committee.
After the majority's adverse report
was submitted last night minority
report was presented by NJ. L. Clark,
OF the Sixth ward The report alleged
that the Scranton Traction company
furnished the public with poor service,
charged two fares within the city lin
its in violation of the law and failed to
keep the pavement within the track in
proper repair. The minority report
further stated that the granting OF
franchises to new company would in
duce the Scranton Traction company to
operate its business more to the satisc
faction of the people and that tue
franchises asked by the Scranton Rapid
Transit company were in accordance
with the wishes of the public Other
reasons were cited why the ordinance
should pass.
TRACTION COMPANY SCORED.
After motion to adopt tho adverse
report Mr. Connell moved TO substitute
the minority report He said the
Scranton Traction company had pro-
cured valuable franchises free Of cost
and had only given poor service in
return.
The motion to adopt the minority re-
port was lost by the following vote;
Ayes-Thomas, Clark, Roche. Wagner,
Burns and Connell.
Nays-Ross, Finn, Kelley, Williams,
Schwenk. Manley, Mccain, Fellows, Kel
low, Westpfahl aud Lauer.
Members Wagner, ConnelI and
Thomas afterwards changed their votes
to may, and the majority report was
adopted.
The license committee reported ia
vorably on the pole tax ordinance,
which was received without opposition
and ordered printed, 1t provides that
each pole supporting electric wires
shall bs taxed so cents, and that all
shall be painted y uniform color. The
ordinance is similar to the Browning
measure, which was defeated last
spring.
A communication was received
from Mayor Connell which stated that
he did not recommend the application
Of Mrs. Katherine Ruane, of the
Twentieth ward, for tax exoneration
Mr. Roche said be could not agree
with the mayor. but advocated the ex-
oueration. which was for small sum.
He said corporations had been exempt
from taxation and he thought councils
should do by an individual as they had
by rich companies.
LAUER UPHELD THE MAYOR.
Mr. Lauer upheld the mayors recon-
mendation, and said the clause in the
communication that the exoneration
would he illegal was true and the
recommendation should bs concurrsd
in.
President Chittenien, Mr.. Thomas
and Nj. Lauer, only. voted in accord
ance with the mayors communication.
Bids for constructing the sewer sYs-
tens in Carbon, Jordan. Mineral and
Slick streets were referred to commit
tie as follows: John Ferguson. 81 10
per lineal foot; Flanaghan e. O'Hara,
81 So; Vincent Il. O'Hara, 81 i9; How
ley Bros, S1.53
A resolution was adopted directing
that competent engineer be engaged
to pass upon the proposed plans for the
bridges. A resolution providing for
change in the grade Of swetland street
between Sixth street and North Main
avenue between the terminus of the
proposed Linden street and the present
Swetland street bridge, was referred
to committee.
An ordinance permitting the North
End Railway company to build new
trolley lines was referred to commit
tee. The routes proposed are from
Main avenue in Providence along Mar
ket street TO Dickson avenue; also, a
line beginning at the intersection OF
Penn avenue and Delaware street ia
Sunset avenue, to North Washington
avenue, to Olyphant road, to city line
also on Columbia avenue from Wash
ington avenue to the boulevard.
A SOUTH SIDE SEWER
An ordinance creating sewer district
No. H. in the Eleventh, Twelfth and
Nineteenth wards. passsd first and sec.
ond readings. The ordnance proYid-
ing for the purchase of fire department
horses in addition to the number pro
vided for in the recent appropriations
!, , created discussion which resulted in
laying the measure over until the next
meeting. The funds with which the
additional horses are proposed to be
purchased are the amounts In excess OF
| the actual cost OF the first batch OF
: animals purchased.
The Linden street bridge ordnance
which was taken from committee AT
the previous meeting, came up for first
reading, but was laid over for one
week.
An ordinance providing for better
: regulations in keeping sidewalks cleal
of snow and refuse and making owners
responsible passed third and final read.
ing An adjournment was made unit
r next Thursday evening.