The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-10
POLE TAX ORDINANCE
1t Is Now Ready 10 Receive tle sigma.
ture Of Mayor COlleli.
IT PASSED ON THIRD Reading
Petition of the Scranton illuminating
Heat and Light Company Pre-
sented to Common Council Last
Night--Conmunication of Control
Ter Widmayer-The Incidental Fund
Is Exhausted Resolutions Sent to
Committee-Cther Bnsiness.

The Pole tax ordinance now needs
only the signature Of the mayor to
make il O law. providing it has no legal
flaws, ami il is undoubtedly all right
in that respect, as it was carefully
drawn up. 1t received the vote Of
every member present at last night
common council meeting, with the eX
ception OF Mr. Sweeney. who was eX-
cused from voting. Mr. Sweeney de-
clined to vote for the reason that by
passing this ordinance he claimed the
Scranton Illuminating Heat ami Power
Company, whose petition is subjoined,
would escape from its CONTRACTS of sup
plying free light to the city buildings
There was q short discussion over q
petition from tho Scranton Iluminat-
ing Heat and Light company which Mt
present is furniahing all the city build
ings light free, The petition represents
that the cost Of the lights now being
furnished to the city hail and fire
engine house amounts to ", 400 year
The other electric ligdJ companies en-
joy as much privilege as the petition
cTs yet they bear none Of the burden.
Tho petitioners say they cannot s5s
their way clear to furnish these lights
after April / next and would like that
council would make some arrangements
whereby better adjustment of tho eS.
p-nse might b. made
Mr. Sweeney was for holding this
company to the contract and eXonarat-
ing thela from the pole tax whom ii is
passed.
WHAT Mr. Mom SAID.
As thair polo KOS would amount 10
only $500 Mr. MOir thought this would
not b Just and suggested glaV council
take steps to have each Of the three
companies bear an equal share Of the
burden. None OF the compGlies, Mr..
NOR stated, could be compelled to fur
uish free light to the city, although
they might have made q written agreo-
ment to DO 30, for the reason that our
courts have decided that the city cam
not legally receive any privileges OF
/ that kind ios franchises, The petition
was received and filed and from tue
eleven 10 four vote II received II, is eyi-
dent that the petition will Os granted
when il is brouEhr up for con9idera-
| tiCu.
A communication WAS received irom
the city engineer asking permission tC
make some slight alterations in tn.
| bridge plans The matter WAS referred
to the streets and bridges committee
Controller Widm9yer, in . eommuni
cation, informed couacli that the iaci-
dental fund is almost deplete, only
/ S. 039 remaining 10 Its credit. Inas-
much as there are in sight drafts foI
/ 9ll 900 agaiu' this fnud, ha recon-
mends that tue $4,000 appropriation
for the Lsckawanua yladuct be trans
ferred to the incidental fund and thai
81, 900 set aside for painting the hall
il the municipal building bo used in
payment Of the ground rent for parks
Ile finance committee was delegated
to look after the matter
The board OF health called attention
10 the unhealthy condition OF tn
neighborhood OF Stafford Meadow
brook and Sauderson'5 creek, and urged
upon councils the necessity OF con-
slructing sewers in those localities
The communication was referred to tn
sanitary committee
Resolutions awarding the folloviul
contracts were referred to their respec
tive committees: North Maiu avenue
culyert, to Julius Maier; Prospect ave
nue.. culvert, to C0rcoran g Douahoe
PittsIon avenue, ouIvert, to Corcorar
& Douahoe; sidewalks on Seventh
street. to Walter Graves; laying side.
walks on South Maiu avenue, to V, II
OHara.