The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-15
PASADENA.
Ity work-A Delightful

Report on City Work-A Delightful
Social Event-Notes.
PASADENA. Feb. 14.-In q line with
several articles which have appeared in
these columns upon the labor organizs-
tions' petitions, the following report OF
Citv Attorney W. E. Arthur upon the
matter will be found OF general interest,
bearing, as il does, upon most impor-
tant question to our workingmen:
There are only two clssses OF street
work. One is such work as the city
itself does and for which it pays out of
the CITY treasury. The other, and by
far the most common, is such work as
is done under the assess ment plan,
charging the work up to tn e adjoining
property and property ben Gifted. All
our city work is done under the latter
plan except repairs on streets, for which
the city pays. We're the city to attempt
to directly furnish work in the manner
requested by these petitioners, and pay
for the same out of the city treasury,
it would be met by section 875 OF the
municipal incorporation act, which is
part OF our city charter. and which
res Is as follows:
I'm the erection, improvement and
repair of all public buildings and works,
in all street and sewer work, and in all
work in or about streams, bays or water
fronts, or in or about entertainments or
other works for protection sgainst over
flow, and in furnishing any supplies or
materials for the same, when the ex-
penditure required for the same exceeds
the sum of 500, the same shall be done
By contract, and shall he let to the low
est bidder, after notice by publication
in q newspaper of general circulation"
etc.
When it comes to work under the as
sessment plan, it would be impossible
to either have the work done by the
day, or to place any restrictions upon
the residence of the bidder, because Of
the general street law, commonly known
ae the Vroomsn act, being 80 very strict
in requiring full notice of the work to be
given inviting sealed proposals or bids;
and the only restrictions which it allows
is that the city council may reject the
proposal of any party who has been de-
linquent and uniaithful in any previous
contract with the municipality. See
section 5 of the street work act, which
is too long to quote here.
Even should the city council attempt
to confne the bidders to Pasadena men,
any property owner would have the
right to object and to defeat the ASSESS
ment upon the grounds that he is en-
titled to have the work done as cheaply
as possible, and that to rule out all but
a certain class OF bidders would certain
ly lessen his chance of getting the low
est bid because it would, to certain ex-
tent, shut off competition.
1t must not be forgotten that these
laws are fixed by the Legislature snd ara
absolutely binding upon the city
authorities, who have no choice of the
matter but to obey. The only place
where the city can possibly have work
done by the day and give preference to
home men is in the work of repairs on
streets and work of similar character,
and there, / believe, none but home men
are employed, except the guests at the
cty's boarding house on South Ray
mond avenue, who are politely invited
to do two hours ork on the streets for
each meal they receive.
For the foregoing reasons il will be
imposed BILE for the board of trustees to
grant the request of the petitioners. :.
VALENTINE PARTY.
The valentine party given at the home
OF Miss Clsudine Stevens, on North
Marengo avenue, last evening, proved
one of the most enjoyable social events
of the season. Miss Stevens was assist
ed in entertaining by Miss Ora Beach,
Miss Smith, Miss Lou Stevens, Miss
Jessie Gray, Miss Jones and Miss Alice
Dane. The house was very prettily
decorated, much taste being displayed.
cd rto rnia hy fr.lt
conspicuous on every side, interspersed
with ivy and holly, the whole forming
charming combination.
Much amusement was furnished the
guests by the game of shadows, :"
wherein the gentlemen are popularity
supposed to inject their fate" After
the pencil sketches which followed,
illustrating quotations, Mise Graves and
Mr.. Godfrey we're awarded fret prizes
and Miss Robbins and Mr.. Platt conso
la.ioR prizes, all of which were valen-
tines. Miss Dane and Mr.. Habbick
acted ss Judges.
Refreshments were served late in the
evening and were very dainty, heart
shapes Astounding in everything. Those
present we're: Rev. Clark Crawford,
Mr.. Chsres Allin, Miss Nellie Haga-
dorm, Mr.. Frank Platt, Miss Jones, Mr..
!. Johnston, Miss Darlington, Mise
Hawley, Mr.. Lowthin, Mr.. Townsend,
Miss Annie Brooks, Miss Brooke, Mr.
Brooks, Mr.. Renshoff, Mr.. Monfort, Miss
Wood. Miss Ross, Mir. Drake. Mr.. Bene
dict, Mr.. Stevens, Mr.. James, Miss Allin,
Miss Townsend. Miss Beach, Miss Mon
tort, Miss Graves, Miss Stevens. Mr..
Godsent, Mr. Dane, Miss Gray, Mise
Lizzie Wagner, Mics Sinter. Mr.. Hsda-
dorm. Miss Bresee, Miss Beth Jones.
Mr.. Kingsley Stevens, Mss Cora Clau-
ser, Miss Cham berlain, Miss Weston,
Miss Maud Robbins, Miss Alice Dane,
Mics Lou Stevens, Mr.. Habbick, Mr..
bresee, Mr.. Lewis, Mrs. Dayton.
IDEAL CLUB CoNCERs.
The following programme will be rem
dered ky the Ideal Guitar and Banjo
club on Friday evening next. A num-
ber will bs present from this city:
Marsaneaux overture, velnet; Dsrkies' Pas
Tins, Robinson-Ideal Guitar and Banjo club.
Valentine waltz, Foden-Misses A. Werner,