The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-02

That Browning ordinance, taxing
telegraph. telephone and electric light
and street car poles 81 each has not
yet materialized. 1t was confidently
asserted by persons interested in the
ordinance that it would be in its
proper box last night waiting for the
license committee Of the common
council to act upon it, but it was not.
At s o'clock last night Chairman
James J. Grier assembled his commit
tee. consisting Of P II Golden, Nor
gan Sweeney. Daniel p Battle and
Henry Williams, and proceeded to dis
cuss the situation. He told them that
the ordinance they met to consider had
been stolen and wanted to know what
they would do about it.
Mr.. Sweeney thought that the only
thing they could do would be to in-
struct the chairman of the committee
to collaborate with the city!solicitor
and evolve another ordinance that
would take the place of the one stolen.
This suggestion met with approval,
but Mr.. Williams did not think it
could be done while the lost, strayed or
stolsn ordinance was wandering about
the city in some ones inside vest pock.
et The other members Of the COM
mittee, except Mr.. Grier, dld not
think it mattered much where it wand
cred TO, as it did not prevent another
ordinance from being drafted.
GREER WANTED THE ORDINANCE
Mr.. Grier said he thought the com
/ ,,,ik .b t,k . - Il
being produced, but Mr.. Golden was
unable to discern anything To insist on
as there was absolutely nothing before
the committee. Mr.. Grier again
claimec the attention OF the committee
There are two members Of the com.
mon council" he slid, as he slowly
closed his left eye and then d0liber-
ately opened it again, 'who have pub.
licIy stated that they are in favor
Of a 81 ordinance and for that reason
they voted to kill the ordinance taxing
peles so cents each. Now | believe in
giving these gentlemen an opportunity
of moving for reconsideration OF that
ordinances and then amending it TO read
81 per pole. If they refuse to do SO let
us have an ordinance ready to report
and see that the council passes upon it
without delay"
Mr.. Golden again reminded Mr..
Grier that there was nothing before
the committee and tho chairman re
piled: There was something before
us but it was stolen from us and it is
onr duty to find out where it went. !"
Mr.. Golden then suggested thai the
city approprigtes money for detective
service and can hardly expect its
councilmsn to become Monsieur Le
coqs.
NOTHING WOULD BE SAFE.
''If we let this matter 20 everything
that goss to committees will be stolen,
declared Mr.. Grier. That's the easiest
way of killing an ordinance if allowed
and tolerated by the councils.
1t was decided to have another meet
ing of the committee before Monday
nights council meeting, and if thu
ordinance has not then materializst
another will be substituted for it il
case those who favor 81 tax on pOllf
refuse to reconsider and amend th,
fifty cent ordinance
Ellsworth Drives, one of the council.
men referred to as favoIing 81 tax
said after the committee adjourned
that he would not assist in reconsider
ing the old ordinance but will give thu
81 tax ordinance his most earnest sup.
port. He declared that it will be passed
by the councils.
j. W. Browning, the father OF til,
last ordinance, served notice on tht
common council before it adjourned
last night that if HE ordinance doe
not make its appearance by Monda
: night he will introduce a similar meas
urs.