The Portland daily press., 1895-04-02
CITY FATHERS MEET.
The Peters Plan for Hiring the City
LabOrers.
SALARIES FIXED FOR THE COMING
YEAR.
Interesting Debate Between Messrs.
Thompson and Peters-Council Tables

| Thompson and Peters-Council Tables
the Peters Plan.
| The regular April meeting of the city
government was held last evening. May
or Baxter presided in the Board of AL
dermen, all of whom were present.
| A very large amount of business was
transacted with unusual expedition.
Much of this business was important, RS
will be seen by reference to the subjects
below.
RULES FOR EMPLOYMENT OF LA
BOR.
| An important discussion was caused
by the rules for the employment of labor
which were presented by Alderman Pc
tiers, and which differed considerably
| from those presented at a former meet.
ing by Alderman Thompson. Mr..
Thompson said that this new draft
seemed to him very Objectionable,
and he wished discussion. The rules
were read by paragraphs. One of the
| first points of difference was the putting
of the work of registration on the city
government committee on public works,
instead of on the commissions clerk, as
by the Thompson rules. Another differ
ence was manifested in the clause rela-
ting to preferences. The Thompson rules
provided that in selecting laborers pre-
| ference should be given to those having
experience, families dependent upon
them, and records for service in the army
and navy The Peters rules make this
addition, that..bylyote of the committee
on public works preference may be Civ
en- to other men. Alderman Thompson
asked Mr.. Peters to explain this addi-
tlon.
"There might be times when in the
| interest OF the service the rule should
not be cast-iron," said Mr.. Peters.
Alderman Thompson moved to strike
it out. The vote Oh striking out stood:
Yeas-Thompson and Little.
Nays-Dam, buddy, Peters, Randall
and Smith.
| Another of the Peters rules related to
the changing about of ths crews, work
ing one gang for one month and then
another. Alderman Thompson criticised
this as not tending to efficiency, being
wasteful and extravagant. 1t would not
be done in a private corporations, and he
did not believe that il was profitable for
the city, He asked Alderman Peters
what was the object OF the rule.
Alderman Peters said it was.his object
to get the labor out of politics.
Alderman Little opposed the changing
about as extravagant and wasteful. AL
derman buddy spoke of the old aud in
digent, who should be given places to
work.
Alderman Thompson did not combat
this idea, but thought there were other
men hanging about the city for city work
who should not be encouraged. He
moved to strike out the clause for keep
ing unskiIled laborers for only a month
at time. The vote was five to two
against striking out, tEe--aldermen voting
as before.
After this Alderman Thompson said
Il move, your Honor, that the rules be
adopted. The gentlemen seem to have
them all fixed up"
/ Alderman Randall-"This is the first
time I have seen them. don't know
how could have fixed them up"
Alderman Peters" Mr.. Thompson did
not object to them when l presented
them to him today"
i Alderman Thompson-"I did not have
time to. The lightning express struck
me-"
The rules were then adopted by the al
dermen.
When the rules were sent into the
council, Mr.. Kent OF Ward Three, raised
the point that more time should be Civ
ell to look them over, and they were
tabled by a vote of 10 to 6.
NEW PORTLAND & ROCHESTER,
\ TRACK.
Alderman Peters presented a petition
from Hon. George P. Wescott, president
of the Portland & Rochester. praying
that the railroad be allowed to locate q
new track which will begin on the mar
ginal way at Backbone andscross Forest
avenue diagonally at point very nea1
Deering bridge and between it and the
present Rochester crossing. Thence the
new track would curve around to join
the main tracks farther in the direction
of the Mitchell tannery.
PARK IMPROVEMENT
Alderman Thompson introduced the
following important order, which was
passed:
That special committee to be styled
the Committee on Park Improvements,
be and is hereby appointed. to consist OF
the Mayor, the chairman of the Board
of Aldermen, the president of the com
4 mon council and the park commissioners
to take into considerationethe enlarging
improving and beautifying the parks
promenades and public grounds of this
city, and to consider the advisability o.
purchasing land for ornamental purposes
and to report to the city government.
NEW TELEPHONE COMPANY.
The Casco Bay Telegraph and Tele
phons com 1ahy, hy George W. Brown
manager, petition for leave to erect poles
on large number of the main streets O
the city. The petition was received, ant
l. date