The herald., 1895-07-23
WATER COMPANY DEFED.
The City Council Has a
Chip on Its Shoulder
I'LL MIGRANTS MUST Be REPAIRED
Some Resolutions Which May
Mean Trouble
A MUCH AMENDED REPORT
Councilman Snyder Comes to the Rescue
of Taxpayers
Chairman St0ckwell OF the Fire and Water
Committee Declined to Sign
Special 1eeting of the Council Called for
Tomorrow, When the Question Of Pay
ment for Hydrant Repairs
A MUCH AMENDED REPORT
Councilman Snyder Comes to the Rescue
of Taxpayers
Chairman St0ckwel of the Fire and Water
Committee Declined to Sign
A Special Heeting Of the Council Called for
Tomorrow, When the Question of Pay
ment for Hydrant Repairs
VIII Come Up


council the following amendment to
afternoon, upon the subject of repairs
for defective fire hydrants:
In the matter of repairs to fire hy-
drants, we recommend that in all cases
where fire hydrants are out Of repair and
such hydrants have been used tor other
purposes than fire purposes, under per
mission from the council, that the same
be repaired at once by the city. under the
supervision and direction OF the chief of
the fire department. In all cases where
such hydrants are out of repair and nave
n OF been used by the city or any others
un der its permission for purposes other
than fire purposes, that demand be made
upon the Los Angeles City Water com pa
ny to at once put the same In repair as in
their contract provided.
The above is signed by Councilmen
Ashman and Savage. Chairman Stock
we'll of the committee refused to attach
his signature to the hedge. When ques-
toned by reporter as to why he had
huked. he replied that after an examina-
tion of the water company's lease he felt
convinced that the company could be
compelled to repair the hydrants.
The reading of the amended report
opened up the whole subject for discus
sion. Councilman Munson was ON his
feet IN an instant with a motion that the
snbject be considered in committee of the
whole council at an adjourned session to
be held tomorrow. Councilman Snyder
had o preamble and a set of resolutions
which meant a fight against the water
octopus.
The Snyder resolution, which had not
yet been read, was declared to be out of
order by President Teed until some action
had been taken upon the motion made by
Councilman Mupson. The latter was
Councilman Snyder were read. 1t proved
to be war to the knife. as follows:
Whereas. The provisions of the lease
with the city of Los Angeles, under which
the City Water company is granted the
privilege of using the water of the Los
Angeles river for domestic purposes, pro-
vides That the said company shall erect a
fire hydrant at street intersections, and
shall keep the same IN repair at their own
cost and expense during the full term OF
said lease, to-wIt: Until June 20, 1898;
and,
whereas, The said City Water company
has neglected and still neglects and re-
fuses to repair said fire hydrants and to
keep the same in proper condition; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the city clerk be in
structed to forthwith notify the said wa
Ter company 10 at once repair eacn anu
all fire hydrants and place the same in
proper condition for fire purposes on OF
before the 31st day of July, 1895.
Resolved, That in the event OF failure
of the City Water company to so repair
said hydrants, as herein directed and
within the time herein specified, that
the city attorney be. and he is. hereby
action to annul and set aside the said
lease. for failure to comply with the
terms and provisions thereof; and be 1t
further
Resolved, that the chief OF the fire de-
partment be instructed to make an ex-
day of August, and to furnish the city
attorney with complete list of all
hydIants which he finds out of repair
upon said examination, and also to fur
nlsh the council with a list of such
hydrants.
The above was referred TO the fire and
water committee with sort of hurrah,
after the city attorney had officially ap-
proved of it as being the only proper way
in which to fight. if the latter were the
object of the council. The amended re-
port of the fire and water committee was
laid upon the table. The Snyder resolu-
tions were referred to the committee to be
brushed up bit and a report was asked
for not later than tomorrow.
On melton of Councilman Munson, the
city clerk was instructed to at once de-
mand that the city Water company repair
all hydrants at present needing repair,
the complete list of defective hydrants to
be furnished by Chief Walter s. Moore
of the fire department.
In the morning hours Of the council
meeting the city attorney was sent for
and said that he wanted to correct what
was an erroneous Impression. Mr.. Dunn
read from his copybook an opinion which
several months ago he had furnished to
the board of fire commissioners, he
thought also to the council, in which he
stated that all fire hydrants must be
repaired under it's contract by the water
company. Hydrants used Tor street
sprinkling, he thought the company could
perhaps not be compelled to repair.
Councilman Munson was in favor of
having the repairs made and the water
company sued for the money paid out for
the purpose.
Some months ago City Attorney Dunn
reported to the council as follows:
In the matter of taking water for
sprinkling purposes from fire hydfants,
the council will remember that some
weeks since l gave an opinion that the
water company was liable for repairs to
all fire hydrants and must make such re-
pairs at its expense. l am OF the opinion
that should the city use these fire
hydrants for any purpose other than the
purpose for which they are erected, viz.
to furnish water for fire purposes it would
probably expose itself to the expense of
keeping them in repair. This would be
especially true under the plan proposed
by your committee, as the taking would
be done by the drivers of sprinkling
wagons who are not ployed by the city
and who are not responsible to the city
for the exercise of reasonable care in the
use of said hydrants. W
In spite of the above. the privilege of
using fire hydrants for street srrinklins
was allowed by the council. The result
result in the charter of the water COM
pany being declared null and void by the
courts. "hf'~f
st. Paul Policeman Missing
ST. PAUL, July %. Sergeant John
Z,rko1hach nj tn Cant raj pO1ice station