The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-25
lido THE f|REMEN Gamble !?
LARGE Gas Bills Start Common
Council a-Thinking.
TWO INVESTIGATIONS ORDERED
Chief Fcrber Criticiscd-Mr. Robinson
Could Not he Forced to Report Com.
mittcc Meeting Which lie Didn't
Attend-Othcr business.

Two questions one involving the good
judgment of the chief of the fire de-
partment and another in reference to
gambling i'm the quarters of Liberty
and Niagara Hose companies, were the
cause of heated discussion and decisive
action by last nights meeting of COM
mon council. Another enlivening fea
ture of the meeting was Mr.. Robin
sons firm refusal to report an ordi-
nance which, in his absence, had been
| favorably considered by the railways
committee.
Mr.. Morris precipitated the matter
| by stating that the auditing committee
had objected to the large gas bill for
the Liberty house. When Chief Ferber
was asked if the members played cards
he replied that he didn't think so, but
| that he believed the members of the
Niagara company did. Mr.. Morris said
the chiefs remark caused him (Mr.
Morris) to make an investigation, and
he ascertained that the Niagara men,
bers had not played cards in their quar-
| terS for two years.
Mr. Morris stated that his remarks
| would explain resolution which he
introduced directing Chief Ferber and
the fire department committees to as
certain whether card playing Is car
ried on in either or both of the COM
pany quarters mentioned. The resolu-
| ton was adopted.
Mr.. Hickey After Mr.. Ferbcr.
Mr.. Hickey remarked that Chief Fer
Der had loaned the hose Of the Niagara
company to be used in flooding the
Base Ball park rink, and that the hose
was kept a week before being returned
This statement was verified by Mr.
Morris, who said that he received a
note signed by the chief and directing
that the hose be loaned for the pur-
pose specified by Mr.. Hickey.
| A motion that q special committee
of five members be appointed to investi-
gate the matter and "heads of the de-
partments" was made by Mr.. Sweeney.
After Mr.. Moir and Mr.. Robathan had
objected 10 the latter and sweeping
portion Of the motion, Mr. Sweeney
changed it to apply to the chief of the
fire department. whereupon President
Nealis appointed on the special COM
mittee Members Morris Norton, Battle
Hickey and Howe.
A detective bill of SAT- was returned
without recommendation by the audit
ing committee. No action was taken
upon it, the apparent intention being
to let it remain in the files.
Mr.. Robinson, chairman of the rail
ways committee, refused TO report an
ordinance which Members Mclean
| Howe and Grier had considered favOra.
bly, in committee previous to the cOun-
ell meeting. The ordinance grants the
Scranton Traction company the priVi.
lege of laying a double track on Frank.
lin avenue, between Spruce street and
Lackawanna avenue. Mr.. Sweeney re-
quested Mr.. Robinson to report It, Mr.
Robinson said he was not notified ol
the committee meeting and refused tc
present the favorable report.
The Explanation Given.
| Members Sweeney, Battle, Grier an(
Mclean explained that in the absence
of Mr.. Robinson, Mr.. Mclean acted a!
chairman and it was proper that Mr.
Robinson should present their favora
BILE consideration of the ordinance. Mr.
Robinson again declinetto make a re
port and the discussion terminated.
The Scranton and North End rail
way ordinance was received from th
select branch and referred to com
mittee, as was also the ordinance for
bidding the laying of cement side
walks.
The meeting concurred in the selec
councils exOneration of the All Souls
church from paying an assessment o
$20S for the paving of Pine street.
An adjournment was made until mex
Thursday night.