The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-04
WAS AN EYESoRE TO HIM
Board of Prblic Works Ordnance
Killed by Mr.. Chittenden.
PARK OPTION AGAIN SECURED
The Fire Department Is Receiving Some
Observation-Disclosures Horses. Pcrma-
uent Men and New Engine House
Being Provided for by Councils.

after lying in committee for a couple
of months the board Of public works
ordinance, which was intended to revo-
lutionize the manner of making NUM-
cipal expenditures, was called up in
select council last kight and killed by
its own father Mr.. Chittenden.
At present ward appropriations are
virtually expended by the councilmen
and very often. it is claimed, the money
Is not judiciously expended. Mr.. Chit
tenden proposed to have all expendi-
lures made under the direction of a
board of five persons, who would be
held responsible for city work and
to whom the street commissioner and
other officers spending city money
would be answerable.
While on dts early passage through
councils the ordinance was so amend
ed that its original purpose was de-
stroyed. Mr.. Chittenden openly assert
ed that the amendments were made in
order to defeat the measure by men,
bers who We're opposed to having the
power of eXpending ward moneys out
of their hands. This did not deter the
thinkers from improving ca the ordi-
nance after their own ideas, and as
result Mr.. Chittenden, In turn, could
not recognize his own bill and refused
to have anything more to do with 1t.
1t was allowed to die in q pigeon hole
and so as to give II a decent burial it
was called up last night and indefinitely
postponed.
Mr. Chittenden announced that he
had discovered that it was within the
power of the mayor to supervise the
expenditures and was satisfied that
change in the method of spending ward
money would result.
Option for Park Addition.
Through Mr. Lauer. of the park COM
m.ttee, an offer was made by John p.
Caravan to lease the proposed 19-acre
addition to Nay Aug park for the con-
sideration of 81 $50 per annum. or to sell
1t outright for $4,000 without rever-
tionary clauses. If the city decides TO
rent the land. 1t can buy 1t at any time
and apply the rental by paying per
cent. on the unpaid balance.
The bond of Ira T.. Barber. licensed
house mover. was approved. Hart &
Gibbons were awarded the contract for
constructing the lateral sewers on lrv-
ing avenue and Capouse avenue be-
tween Marion and Green Ridge streets.
The appointment of Frank Henderson
as inspector of Ferber court sewer and
Clay avenue pave was approved.
Philip CARRIER the barber doing
business in the basement of the Coyne
house entered claim for $500 for dam
age TO his health and business caused
by water from the hydrant at that
point soaking through the ground and
entering his shop. making the place 50
damp that his health has been affected
and his custom driven awav. The case
was referred to the city solicitor.
Mr.. Coyne asked council TO authorize
the city engineer to prepare plans for
at . 10 tAtI, n,sl
pipe drain of revered memory. claim
ing that it at present causes much
damage to the properties on Fig street.
where it empties the water which it COL
lects from the elevated portions of the
Twentieth ward. After lengthy dis
cuSsiGn council passed a resolution for
plans and an estimate of cost. but
served notice through Messrs. Laucr
and Chittenden, that the appropriation
of money for constructing the drain
would be opposed in all probability.
These two gentlemen contended that 1t
was nothing more or less than building
a sewer for one set of property holders
at the expense of the city in general.
When the present pipe drain was built
the people interested said that TREY
would not bother the city further If
this boon was granted. Messrs. Lauer
and Chittenden now propose to hold
them to their word.
a resolution granting an extension of
one year to Frank Moeler for the collec-
tion of DELINQUENT taxes for 1893 in the
Twelfth and Twentieth wards. was de-
feated. and he with the others will be
prosecuted by the city solicitor.
More Permanent Fircmcn.
An ordinance providing a permanent
man for the General Phinney Engine
company and an additional man for
the Nay Augs was introduced by Col
onel Sanderson. The city clerk was
authorized to advertise for sealed pro-
posals to construct a fire-engine house
on the corner of Franklin avenue and
Page court. and, also. for furnishing
coal to the various city buildings during
the coming winter.
Colonel Sanderson introduced an Or
dinance narrowing Green Ridge street.
east of Washington avenue to forty
feet. to conform with its connecting
road in Dunmore borough.
The ordinance prescribing the fire
limits passed third reading. The ordi-
nance for grading Davies street passed