The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-07
BILL FOR A dead Horse
Auditing Committee Had a Lively
Time Considering 1t.
LEGAL POINT THAT WAS RAISED
To Prevent Complications That Pay
Inent OF Bill Might Bling About, the
City Solicitor viii BE Asked for
an Opinion on the Matter.
EGAL POINT THAT WAS RAISED

Rather lively meeting of the audit
ing committee of councils was held last
evening. The action taken on the bill
of 1925 for a horse purchased by Chief
Engineer Ferber, of the fire depart
ment, from +, NJ. Cobb. the horse that
ran away and broke its own leg and the
leg of iMotorman William Sweeney, was
to refer ii to City Solicitor Torrey for
an opinion on the matter before paying
It,
Chief Ferber needed horse the worst
way and without authority from the
fire department committee of councils
he purchased fine animal from Dealer
Cobb on Oct. of last year. The chief
was returning from the funeral of the
late Captain William Kellow and the
horse took fright going down Lack
awanna avenue and jumped on the
platform of n street car Motorman
Sweeney could not get out of the way
soon enough and his leg was broken by
being caught between the horse and the
car. The animals leg. too, suffered q
fracture, and it had to be shot.
Plenty OF Discussion on u.
Then came the question of paying for
the horse. The bill was referred to the
auditing committee and it was dis
cussed at length last night, and Chief
Ferber's action in buying the horse
without authority for so doing was de-
bated without fattering reference to
his purchase
Luther Keller advocated the payment
of the bill, but he thought that there
ought to be placed seal of condemna-
tion on the arbitrary action of any city
otficialin purchasing horses or anything
else without going about it in the right
way.
This matter would not have arisen
had it not been for the death of the
horse. because Mr.. Cobb was willing to
wait for his money until an appropria-
tion could be made by councils. 1t oc-
Cured to some of the members that If
tie city assumed the ownership of the
horse, it would assume also the liability
Of the accident to MotOrman Sweeney,
and by motion the bill was referred to
the city solicitor for an opinion.
Mr.. Robinson told the other MEM
bers that the hunks were about to be
taken out of the Crystal hose quarters
if the city does not pay for them.
City Docs Not Own Them.
The hunks were purchased by the
company, and the city was not asked
to pay for them until now. BY right
the city ought to furnish these appur-
tenances for the permanent men en-
ployed at the different houses. No ac-
ton was taken because 1t was not in
the power Of the committee to do any
thing in the absence of bills for the
beds
A bill for 500 from the Underwriters
association in connection with the fire
at the Howley building, on Penn ave-
nue., was referred back to the mayor.
Mr. Roche told the committee that Col
onel Hitchcock, who is president of the
board of underwriters, had told him
that the board did not want the i'm
preston to go out that it is seeking the
city to share any expense with it that
may be occasioned in employing de-
ectves to hunt down fire bugs. The
colonel, Mr.. Roche said, would have 1t
understood that the underwriters are
able and willing to meet their own
obligations without outside help.
Another bill for 500 was laid over.
1t was made out by the Clapp & Jones
American Fire Engine company of
Seneca Falls, New York, for an auto
matte relief valve on the new Neptune
fire engine.
difference OF Opinion.
There was much conflicting testimony
from the members of the committee in
regard to this bill; some of them said
1t ought to be paid, that it was an ex-
ira piece of work outside the original
contract. and Others were fully as con-
fident that it was included in the origi-
nal contract.
In order to determine the true state
Of affairs the city clerk will right to the
company. The bill was laid over as
well as one for 500 in connection with
the grading of oxford street on the
West Side.