The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-16
VIADUCT HAS been VETOED
Select Council MAS Disposed to Ignore
the Mayors Action.
DAMAGES ARE TOO UNCERTAIN
Swetland Street Approaches TO the Lin
den Street Bridge VIII Be Purchased
at nce-Appointments by the
Mayor Create Debates.

Last nights meeting or select council
received Mayor ConnelPs veto of the
West Lackawanna avenue Viaduct
ordinance and adopted a resolution
recommended by the city solicitor pro-
viding that options be accepted on
Swetland street approaches to the Lin
den street bridge.
In his letter vetoing the viaduct ordin-
| ance Mayor Connell said that while a
| section of the ordinance refers to the
plans and specifications thereto at
| tached," there is attached only blue
print of the ground plan and a section
of the proposed viaduct and that this
involves an ordinance and resolution
| duly passed and approved, defining the
character Of the Improvements pro-
| posed and naming such details and
specifications as will fully inform the
| officers and agents of the city, etc" +"
| The letter further states that the blue
| print does not show sufficiently the eX-
| actness of the work and does not enable
viewers to ascertain damages. The
mayor writes that although the ques-
| ton of damages could be ascertained
after the viaduct Is built, exactness is
of the utmost Importance. He specifies
| as lacking: Material of the structure;
location and size Of supports and the
character and extent of masonry, "all
of which particulars are very material
| facts for the consideration of the view
ers in the assessment of damages, and
none of them can be supplied by evil
dence outside of the ordinance"
Resources Are Limited.
The letter calls attention to the fact
| that the city's indebtedness has
reached its limit and concludes with
| the statement that the viaduct ordin-
| ance is returned without approval.
Following the reading of. the letter a
motion was made by Mr.. Williams and
seconded by Mr.. Schwenck that the
ordinance be passed Notwithstanding
the mayors veto. The motion was later
withdrawn and the veto referred to the
streets and bridges committee.
A letter from City Solicitor Torrey in
formed councils that he had secured
options from Swetland street land own
ers and had been notified by the city
engineer that his estimates for the
bridge and approaches will leave an
amount sufficient to pay the options
The letter also stated that the question
Of damages resulting to certain prop
erty owners on SHETLAND street from
the construction of approaches to the
bridge from the Delaware, Lacbawanna
| &c, hot
viewers appointed by the court and the
further consideration by the viewers
will be entirely obviated If the amount
of the options is promptly paid. The
city solicitor recommended that an en-
closed resolution bearing on the matter
be passed.
The resolution Of the city solicitor
was adopted and reads in part: THAT
the proper city authorities are author
lied to draw warrants in favor of the
| owners of the land. The per-
sons and properties included in this
| resolution are the Pettebone estate, %
cents and 121s cents per square foot;
Finch Manufacturing company, so cents
per square foot; Fellows estate, 25 cents
per square foot; f. Robinsons Sons,
for land and moving buildings S9,O5S
moving buildings between Sixth and
Seventh streets, $6,664; estate of Sam
uel Price, $4,000.
Mayors Action Questioned.
| When the appointment by the mayor
Of Willis Ferber as permanent man for
| Relief Engine company was received
Mr.. Lauer moved that the matter be
referred to committee. In the spirited
debate which followed, 1t appeared that
while the propriety of the appointment
was not questioned, several members
disapproved confirmation until the ap
pointment had been investigated
Those who supported the mayor argued
that the chief executive Is alone re.
sponsible for the appointee's character
and ability. The appointment was con.
frmed by a vote of II and 5.
The same debate followed the read.
ing of the mayors appointment of John
| T. McHale to succeed p. G. Walsh, re.
signed, on the police force. A motion
to confirm was lost and the matter
went to the police committee.
The appointment of r. b. Brockway
as inspector of sewer work in the Four.
teenth district went to committee with.
out debate.
Resolutions Of the public building
committee recommending contracts fol
supplying public buildings with Goa
were adopted as follows: Districts
Nos. 3 and A, Mountain Lake Land ant
Coal company, buckwheat coal, 81, pea
coal $1.65 chestnut and larger sizes
$2.45; Districts l and 2, Consumers Ice
company, chestnut and larger size.
$2.7O.
The proposition Of Martin Lotus tc
sell to the city for $500 lot so by la
feet on West Market street for use BY
the Cumberland Hose company was re-
ferred to committee
An adjournment was made to NEE
next Thursday evening