The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-01
USING THE PRUNING knife
Joint Committee of Councils at Work
on Estimates for Next Year.
CUTTING in ALL DIRECTIONS
A Fight Made on the Appropriation for
Paid Fire Dcpartment-Ward Street
Improvements VIII Be Handled
in the Same Old Way.

Retrenchment is the watchword
among the members of the joint esti-
mates committee of councils, which
met yesterday afternoon for the first
time.
C. w. Westpfahl, chairman of the
select council committee, was chosen
to preside and City Clerk Lavelle was
directed to proceed with the reading Of
the estimates of expenditures for the
fiscal year commencing the first Monday
of April of the present year.
When they were all read the grand
total amounted to s39S, ,693.75, or $751;
4l326 more than the amount appropriate
ed last year. This bit of news caused
the members of the committee to sharp
en- their pruning knives, and woe will
be to the item that appears to be ex-
cessive.
City Clerk Lavelle finished reading
the estimates and Mr.. Williams, of the
select committee. moved to proceed to
the considera ton of the expenses for
running the fire department. There
We're two estimates, one for u volunteer
department, and one for paid fire de-
partment service. The total of the two
estimates differed only a few hundred
dollars; for the volunteer department
it is $56,3 60, and for the paid depart
mept, $56,S5O.50. Mr.. Williams declared
that ne was opposed to the creation of
a paid fire department, because the
volunteer department now guarding
the city is a most efficient one and can
not be improved by the substitution OF
a paid department at the same expense.
Mr.. williams Opinion.
According to his way of thinking it
looked as if the ordinance was the pro-
duct of some of the city officials and
councimen who have not got much to
do, and their spare time is taken up in
evolving hobbies from their brains.
They. he said, are always on the alert
to create new departments to provide
berths for their friends. Mr.. Williams
brought his fist down on the desk and
wanted it distinctly understood that he
would not be party to any such meas
ure
He then moved to strike out the esti-
mate for paid fire department; the
motion was lost, and by agreement the
estimates Were taken up in their regu-
| lar order
The estimates for the mayors depart
ment, $3.50, was adopted as read. Mr..
Noone wanted to cut out an item of
$70O for detective services, but his effort
was fruitless. An increase of 81 200 for
clerk hire was asked for in the city
treasurer's department, but 1t was re.
fused and the total for last year was
awarded to the department.
The city controller S department asked
for 3,4OO and it was adopted as read.
City Solicitor Torrey wanted an in
crease of $1,000 in salary. but the COM
mittee refused to allow 1T; otherwise
the estimates We're granted, amounting
to $1,000. The city clerks department
was granted $3.50, the amount asked
for.
Salary Clipped Down.
The estimates for the maintenance of
the municipal building We're laid over
until next meeting. The amount asked
for in the city engineers department,
$lO,67O, was granted, except $3.50 which
was provided for an assistant city engi-
neer above the salary of the draughts-
man last year.
The street commissioners department
was allowed the amount asked for, $751;
$3.50. But a change was made in the
ward appropriations. For the coming
year 1t was proposed to expend the ward
appropriations under the direct SUPER
vision OF the street commissioner, and
take the matter out of the hands of the
ward councilmen. This scheme did not
! take we'll and it was decided to have
the ward appropriations expended the
same as heretofore.
Mr. Golden moved to- strike out the
item of $500 in the police department
providing for a clerk to the chief of
police. Horatio T.. Fellows seconded
the motion. The rest of the appropria-
ton passed, amounting to $5O,760.
The next was the fire department ap-
preparation. Mr.. Robathan wanted to
have subcommittee of three appoint
ed to secure information and facts con-
ceining the appropriation and the bene-
fits of a paid department.
Mr.. Thomas said that Ii would be
enough to ask the chief of the fire de-
partment to be present at the next
meeting of committee and he might be
able to give all the information the
committee desired. This idea suited
Mr.. Robathan and he withdrew his mo
tion, and Mr.. Thomas suggestion was
adopted.
Building Inspector All Right.
The huildipp incpactor'c dano ,.t,,, apt
was allowed its claim, l,575. An amend
ment was made by Mr.. Golden in the
board of health department to increase
the salary of the food inspector $40 pei
annum. The Scranton Public library
wanted $l0,S0O against $9,96O last year
Mr.. Robathan moved to make the ap.
preparation the same as last year and
| his motion Iyas q ldnntn cd.