Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1894-07-20
OBJECTED TO TIE BILLS
Repairing of the Tower Prov
ed an Unknown Quantity.
COUNCILMAN SMITHS OBJECTION

a bob Nhich came Outhlde the Limi
But which Was Unforeseen and Neces-
sary-The City Council Makes Appro-
priatlons-An Ordinance Relating to
Fire Companies Promised.
All the members of the CITY Council
were present last evening AZ the regular
Sc ession G. I that body. A large batch of
bills, handed in by the Finance. Public
Buildings, Police, Printing. Parks and
Accounts Committees, were ordered paid
Councilman Smith called for the reading
of Philemma Chambers bills, audited
by the Public Buildings Committee. and
amounting to Sal IA, 1870 and $40 80 j..
These bills were for work and material
used in repairing the City Hall tower.
MIR. Smith said he had watched the
workers on the tower, from beginning
TO end, and It had been one continuous
job, and not split up as the bills would
indicate. According to the ordinances
this work SHOULD have been advertised
for and let TO the lowest bidder. It was
clearly over the limit prescribed, and be
thought it an evasion of the law to slice
the bill into parts so as to make it come
within that limit. He was not in favor
Of the bills
Mr. Kirby, chairman Of the Public
Buildings Committee. stated that when
the work was begun it was found that
the uprights were all rotten, and much
more had to be done
Mr. Tyre said "When the work was
begun there was not q member of the
committee who thought the expense
would exceed $50 We started to simply
put In doors TO keep the rain from beat
ing into the loft and wetting the rooms
below We found the boards outside
and inside, rotten, the timbers support
ing the tower unsafe, and the repairs a
much more extensive Job than expected.
IL was deemed best for the city to 20 on
and complete the work and make good
Job OF It.
Mr.. Meaney said: "while a member
Of the committee 1 was not spoken to
when the repairs we're started. Later
on l was, aud heartily sanctioned the
work l did not have any idea that Il
| would be such a gigantic Job
Mr. Smith said: There was no ex.
cuse for not knowing just what II
would cost The man who did the work
was an experienced man, and then the
ciy's building inspector made an exami-
nation.
Nr Tyre said: Il am surprised at
the course taken by the gentleman from
the Eleventh ward After the chairman
and members OF the committee explain
that they knew nothing Of the magni
tude of the work required. ne insists
that they do
Mr. Smith-"Well they ought TO. II
l am on q committee expect to do tn,
work attached TO IL, and where any ex
penditure of money is concerned l Intend
to look into It carefully What is the
use of having ordinances or rules il they
are not lived up TO-
Further debate was shut off by thl
presidents gavel and the bills ordered
paid. MIR. Smith alone voting agsins
them.
The report Of the city treasurer shove,
balance Of S76. 476 A and receiots ~
follows: Edmund Mitchell. Jr, $23 800
Eugene NJ Ssyers, SIS. 750. The audi
tors report agreed with this.
On motion Of Mr.. DGnnenberg q checl
was ordered drawn in form Of L B
Jones, treasurer, tor $40, 102 60. monthly
appropriation of the Board Of Education
A like order was made for $35, 900 fol
the Department of Streets aud Sc wers
MIR Ratledge gave notice that at tn
I next meeting he would present an ordi
/ nance relating TO the width Of streets
Like notice OF an ordinance in refer
enoe to he Fire Department was givel
By Mr. Stasts
Mr.. O'Neill:-Wby is it that the com.
mittee appointed some time ago to lool
,, into the laying of of the Delaware Com
pany has not reported2 The suspension
Of this truck has been a bad thing, q
was shown at the recent FIRE at Thirl
aud Orange str cts. The city and thu
property owners cannot be allowed {
suffer through the absence from duty o
the Delaware ladies.
Mr. Stats explained that the con
/ mittee had met on the matter aud pre-
: posed to meet again the coming week
y THE ordinance said he ''as 1t now stand
! gives Council very little jurisdiction il
+ the matter. The ordinance just CAV
E notice would present at the next NEE
i ing is designed to remedy this and
I think will prevent trouble in the fl
y | ture
Council then adjourned
Addicks's Friend Handy, Again.
q Robert Hanby. who has a John n