The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-24
BOARD OF public works
Ordinance Creating Such Department
introduced by Mr.. Chittenden.
CHANGES 1T PROPOSES TO MAKE
Fender Ordinance Passed on First and
and Second Readings Proposals to
Furnish Hose for tho Fire Depart.
ment-Passed on Third Reading.

MI. Chlttenden, chairman OF the
streets and bridges committee, at last
nights meeting OF select council re-
ported favorably an ordinance creating
board OF public works and enlarging
and regulating the powers that now
vest in the street commissioner. The
gentleman stated that the ordinance
was brought about in Difference to the
agitation by the boards of trade for bet
ter street repairing.
The text of the ordinance provides
that beginning with the first Monday in
April, 1896. the city engineer, building
inspector and street commissioner, to-
gethcr with councilman elected by
and from each branch of the councils,
shall constitute board of public
works, Of which the mayor shall be an
ex-ofIlcio member.
The board shall have supervision and
direction over all money expended for
street and bridge repairing, cleaning
and repairing of sewers and for the
maintenance of public buildings and
the placing and erection of street lights.
The ordinance gives the board the
power over the consideration of ex-
penditures and estimates. Each year,
about March |. a list of the most neces-
sary and pressing improvements and
repairs will be placed by the board be-
fore the estimate committee of coun-
ellis. Ihe board shall have power to
employ and discharge workmen, but no
man can be engaged for longer perma-
nent time than that which will entitle
him to an amount Of $72O for wages.
The city engineer can appoint inspec..
tors of construction who must be
competent and experienced men. The
streets, bridges and culverts, sewers,
drains and lights shall be divided for
administration purposes into four dis
tricts, as follows: First district, First,
Second, Third and Thirteenth wards;
Second district, Fourth, Fifth, Four
teenth, Fifteenth and Twenty-frst
wards; Third district, Seventh, Eighth.
Ninth, Tenth, Sixteenth and Seven
teenth wards; Fourth district, Sixth,
Eleventh, Twelfth. Eighteenth, Nine
teenth and Twentieth wards.
No Aliens Need Apply.
One foreman will be appointed for
each district and the preference to lab
orers must always be given to residents
of the district in the following order:
First, property ownrNs; second full
naturalized citizens; third, aliens who
have got out their first papers; fourth
aliens
The street appropriations shall be
increased as much as possible, but the
appropriation for each district shall
not be less than the sum of the present
appropriation for the wards comprising
each district.
The ordinances was referred back to
the streets and bridges committee in
conjunction with the city solicitor to
frame 1t so shat it will be thoroughly
constitutonally.
Proposals We're received for the furn-
ishing of hose for the fire department
from Boston Woven Hose and Rubber
company: w. p. Connell e Sons; s. F.
Hayward &: Co., of New York; Eureka
Fire Hose company, of New York; Hunt
& Connell company; Gutta Percha and
Rubber Manufacturing company, of
New York; Fabric Fire Hose company;
and Mineralized Rubber company, of
New York. The bids were referred to
the fire department committee with in
structions to award the contract to the
lowest responsible bidder.
The resolution that came over from
common council awarding the contract
of heating by steam the city building
to the Economy Steam Heat company,
was concurred in The contract price
per annum is $l,337 W. p. Connell &
Son received the contract for changing
the heating system of the city hall for
$664.
The Fender Ordinance.
Common council passed at last nights
meeting on first and second readings
the ordinance requiring street railway
companies to use tenders and wheel
guards. 1t provides that from and af-
ter the approval of the ordinance that
1t shall not be lawful for any railway
companies using the streets of the city
of Scranton to run any car or cars UNI
less provided with the most modern
improved fender, or tenders. with both
front and wheel guards. and the same
must at all times be securely attached
to the cars. The companies will be re-
quired to comply with the provisions OF
the law within sixty days, and any
failure will subject such company dis
regarding them to a penalty of S. per
day for every car operated without
tenders.
Ordinances that passed on third and
final reading were as follows: Providing
ing for the grading of Webster avenue
from Mulberry to Vine streets, and the
appointment of viewers to assess the
expense of grading; providing for the
construction OF lateral sewer on Fer
ber court from Mulberry street in a
northeasterly direction to Olive street,
and providing for the construction of
the approaches to the Spruce street
bridge.
Mr.. Keller introduced a resolution di-
recting the attaches of the city build
ing and city police and engine houses
to hereafter not use electric lights. The
resolution passed. but was afterwards