St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-19
RECOMMENDS THE COUNCIL TO
REFER 1T TO THE BOARD
OF PUBLIC WORKS, -
SUCH
ASSISTANCE
WITH
From Commercial ORGANIZATIONS
City Engineers Office.

mates. But in the midst of the ses-
sion the committee reverted to the
lighting question, and as result of
further discussion of that subject,
adopted the first resolution that has
been offered since the committee con-
vened three weeks ago. The resol-
ton, which is hereinafter published
In full, in effect, recommends that
the common council refer the whole
subject of lighting the city to the
board of public works, with a further
that the latter be as
sisted by representatives of the COM
mercial bodies of the city, the in
quiry to 4be at once entered upon, to
the end that the board of public
works and its associate conferTees
may, as soon as possible, make a
recommendation to the council as to
what, in their judgment, is to the
best interests of the city.
ENGINEERS PAY ROLL.
AT the opening of the session City
Engineer Rurdlett submitted his of
flee pay roll, and also that of the
street and sewer force, after which
he read statement detailing the du-
ties of his department and explain
ing the nature of the work performed
by his assistants, and by the street
commissioners and street and sewer
force
Mr.. Lewis suggested, at this point,
that MIR. Temple, the assignee of Rob-
ert Seeger, to whom the gasoline
lighting for 1895 was awarded. be
allowed to say a few words.
Mr.. Temple said that there were
3,2O2 gasoline lamps in service in the
city, of which 1000 were very old
and in bad condition. Mr.. Temple
had suggested that a new collar
placed upon the old lamps would save
them The new specifications, he
said, called for 1,50O street signs on
the lamps, whereas only 300 or 400
signs were all that were required, as
the assignee had already attached
over 500 signs during the past few
months. Mr.. Temple said that tine
specifications ought also to provide
for painting the posts, inasmuch as
the city had $4,000 invested in the
plant, and ought to keep the posts
in good condition. Mr.. Temple said
that the police were thorough In re-
porting all gasoline lamps that were
not lighted.
Mr.. Parker suggested that a commit
tee of business men be organized to re-
ceive propositions for lighting the city.
The council had neither the knowledge
nor the time necessary to cope with
the lighting problem. Mr.. Parker fur
ther suggested that at the meeting of
the board Of aldermen tonight that
Aid. Markham introduce a resolution
looking to the appointment of a COM
mission of citizens to act upon the
lighting question.
Judge Lusk agreed with Mr.. Parker,
and suggested that, as the time is
short within which the new lighting
contracts must be let, that the investi-
eating committee advise the council to
appoint a commission of three men to
consider the entire lighting question.
Aid. Markham thought that the COM
mittee should not consist solely Of pri-
vate citizens, but that the council pass
resolution authorizing the board of
public works to take the matter up at
once and invite each of the CONNER
cial unions to delegate a representa-
tive to confer with the board of public
works upon this subject.
ENLARGING THE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Lewis thought that the council
committee on gas should be represent
ed on the proposed commission, other
wise, when the final report of that
body reached the council, it might
strike a snag when referred to the
committee ON gas.
Judge Lusk then drafted the follow
ing resolution, which, after being
slightly amended, read as follows:
of st. Paul:
Whereas, The contract for lighting
the city by gasoline lamps expires Dec.
81, 1895, and the contract with the St
Paul Gas Light company made in 1891
1896. and
Whereas, 1t appears to this commit
tee that there can be substantial i'm
provements made in the lighting Of the
city and a great reduction in the cost
In Investigating the question Of light
ing the city in the future, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That this committee here
by, and in order to save time, refers to
your honorable body the whole subject
of lighting the city, as it should be per
formed in the future under a new
| contract or by the city, owning it's own
plant, and recommends to your honor
able body, that the same be referred to
the board of public works, with such
assistance from the commercial bodies
of the city as your honorable body NAV
| desire, the inquiry to be immediately
entered upon, to the end that they may
as soon as possible make q recommen-
cation to your honorable body as to
! what in their Judgment is to the best
interests of the city"
The resolution was thereupon adopt
| ed, and 1t was understood that Aid
! Markham would offer at the meeting
| of the board of aldermen this evenins
a resolution in conformity with the
| foregoing
! City Engineer Rundlett then re
sumed. In answer to Col Clough's
| question as to the possibility Of reduc
ing the expense of his office force, Mr.
Rundlett said that he regarded his
PRESENT FORCE AS ESSENTIAL
to perform the work on hand.
! Col. Clough remarked in this con
nection that the percentage of engi
neering expense on construction worl
bore about the same proportion-as the
| engineering expense of the most econ
omically conducted private work.
The committee then adjourned unit
S:15 p. m. today, when Mr.. Rundlet
| will submit a. conplete Statement
| showing the number Of days worl
| done by the street and sewer force, tn,
price paid per man, and all other fig
| ures and data connected with the out
side work. 1t Is the belief Of the com
mittee that q system of repairing tn,
| streets by contract work would effeo
material saving every year. Th,
water department is also scheduled fol
! investigation today.