Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-07-25
The Removal of Many Dead
Trees Asked. For.
KILLED BY ELECTRIC CURRENTS
Request for Grading on North
Washington Street.
Meeting of the Directors of the Street
and Sewer Departments Tuesday Night
The Removal Of Dead Trees Asked For
Sewer and Street Grading Work.

that there are many dead trees in the
city, some being on the prominent streets
and avenues. He asked that they be
removed In the interest of neatness.
President Chambers said he was aware
that such Is the else and stated that he
would like to see all dead trees removed.
Most of these trees, he added, have been
killed by electric currents. II know
that such is the case IN other cities, he
said, "Philadelphia and Media being
affected to considerable extent, and
the authorities are taking action in the
matter" He thought that some action
should be taken here. The secretary
was directed to ask the city solicitor for
an opinion as TO the right of the depart
ment to take control Of trees outside the
building line. 1t is believed that the
department has Jurisdiction concerning
the planting, trimming and removal Of
trees, and il such is the case the direc-
tors will give the dead wood their i'm.
mediate attention. No action will be
taken until the city solicitor is heard
from.
The secretary was also instructed 10
ask the city solicitor for IN opinion as to
the right Of the board to compel property
owners to bring their sidewalks to grade
after the department has graded streets
on which such sidewalks abut. There
are cases where the grading of streets
has left the sidewalks much lower than
the street and made dangerous places.
T. Chalkley Hatton, engineer in charge
Of sewers, recommended the construc.
tion of sewer on Kirkwood street to
relieve the houses in the block bounded
by Kirkwood, Pine, Taylor aud Ninth
streets. The Board of Health recently
petitioned for sewer in the alley be-
tween Kirkwood and Pine streets, but
this was deemed inexpedient on &C.
count Of the great cost. Engineer Hat
ton was instructed to put one in Kirk.
wood street, which will answer all
purposes and be much cheaper. Its cost
will be about $3.50.
Engineer Hatton also submitted re-
port recommending the placing of in
let's at street intersections in various
parts of the city. No action was taken,
but the directors will make a personal
investigation and ascertain the actual
necessity of such work at this time
There is no doubt but that the inlets are
needed, but the directors thought they
would like to have more time to con.
slider the improvement.
A petition was received from Joseph
L. Carpenter, Jr., asking the board to
grade Washington street through East
lake. The street is now partly graded
and Mr.. Carpenter is of the opinion that
the work can be completed at mini
mum cost. He stated that it will be q
great convenience to people who have
business in that part Of the city. The
communication also asked for the grad
ing of Monroe street between Twenty
seventh and Twenty-eighth, and Thir.
tieth street from Monroe street to
Miller's road. Most of the streets men.
toned have been partly graded by Mr..
Carpenter, who has expended about
$4,000 thereon, and the completion of a
few connecting links is all that is neces.
sary. No action was taken, but the di-
rectors will appoint date when they
will go over the ground with Mr.. Car
penter and sec what can be done.
Property owners on Washington street
between Twenty-third street and Elliott
avenue petitioned for curb lines so that
the east side Of the street can be paved.
The petition was granted, and the
matter will he given immediate atten-
ton. Several new houses are located on
the street.
A similar petition was received from
property owners on Harrison street
between Chestnut street and Maryland
avenue. This, also, will receive atten.
ton.
A letter from the Athens Brick Co. OF
Athens, O., which has been awarded a
contract for furnishing the city with
about $4,000 square yards of paving
brick, was read. The company guaran-
tees to replace within five years, with
out cost to the city, any portion of the
paving which it furnishes that may
snow any defects. The bond Of the
company was approved and the secre-
tary was directed to notify it to COM
tnence the shipment Of material at once.
The first consignment will be placed ON
East Third street,
The Diamond Match Co. asked that
Fourteenth street between Walnut and
French be paved or put in good con-
dition. 1t was decided to make a Tel
ford road there as soon as the sewer
work on French street is completed.
The secretary was directed to ask for
bids for putting an improved pavement
around the Garfield monument. The
bids will be opened August LIST. Speci-
tications have been prepared and are in
the hands of the secretary.
Street Commissioner McCloskey was
instructed to commence work prepare.
tory to paving Ninth street, from Shipley
to Jefferson, and Sixth street, from
Shipley to Washington.
IL was decided to ask City Council fol-
all contracts and leases pertaining Ia
streets which may be in the possession
of that body.
The trustees of St. Mary's Church
petitioned for better sewer facilities on
Fifth street between Pine and Spruce. The
matter was referred to Engineer Hatton.
A sewer is there now, but the church
trustees huve been Informed that it IL
not deep enough to afford proper drain
age for the convent which is being
built in the square.
The board decided TO deposit in streets
along the park drive earth obtained
from excavations. Superintendent Of
Parks Leisen made the request.
Sewer permits were granted to the
Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co., r. T,
Cottingham, George j. Kelley and Anna
Mayser.
The city treasurer reported in bank to
the credit Of the board u balance OF
SlS6, 079.7i, divided as follows: Current
Expenses, $l6,3949S; street improve.
ment fund, S4s1s6; Gilpin avenue tree
fund, $4S2.44; special deposit with the
Security Trust aud Safe Deepest Co.,
$5s,7l44S; special deposit with the
Equitable Guarantee and Trust Co,
100000. The secretary's collections
amounted to $1,260.0S; city auditors
collections, $ll2.54. The quarterly ap.
preparation, S25, 900, was received from
City Council The weekly payroll
amounting 10 $926.16, was ordered paid
No action was taken respecting the
| sewer cOntracts which have NOT naa,