The herald., 1896-01-18
But the City Hall Elevator Was
Running Yesterday
THE CUSTODIAN'S POSITION
Attempts to Place All the Blame on
the City Clerk
Lighting Franchise Turned Down by the
Board of Public Works

The elevator at the city hall was running
~ usual after IL o'clock yesterday morn
ing, although there is probability that the
end of the economy row has not yet been
reached. The matter was the sole topic of
discussion about the municipal building,
those at fault for the faux pas of Thursday
being generally censured. There appeared
. to be q concerted attempt TO throw all of
blame upon the city clerk, but the latter
official is preparing to defend himself in a
most vigorous fashion.
To HERALD reporter he explained his
position as follows:
.As was leaving the city hall for lunch
on Thursday the engineer informed me
that he was about out of oil. having only
enough to run until evening, and asked me
whether he should stop running the ele-
vator and use the remaining oil for heating
the building Friday morning. Ny reply
was, "Keep the elevator running until l re-
turn from lunch and interview the coun-
cil.' From the city hall l went to the Office
of Lehman & Mills and explained the con-
dition of things to them, stating that did
not even dream but what they would be
paid for the oil without trouble, but that
under the council instructions felt it my
duty to explain the condition of things.
They assured me that they would furnish
the oil at once.
ION my return to the city hall after
lunch the engineer informed me that he
had stopped the elevator, as the amount of
oil on hand was less than he supposed
when informing me before lunch that he
had only enough to maintain steam.
teapot had taken place; the elevator had
been stopped and the discussion was on.
SNOW, as to the matter of acquisitions.
Under the resolution of November 18th.
1895, it was ordered that the aggregate
amount of requisitions allowed monthly
by the supply committee, added to the
regular amount authorized by ordinance or
contract, be limited to 900 per month
ON the cash fund, and the clerk be instruct
ed to keep accurate account of the same
and report to the council on the last Mon.
day of each month.
port to the council on the first Monday in
January, and on the same day, in common
with all other officers, was instructad that
must not purchase goods without first
having obtained a requisition theref q. My
requisitions for oil and gas were then in
the hands OF the proper committee; and are
still there. With a full knowledge that
certain goods and supplies must be pur-
chased to properly maintain the munich
pal government, consulted several men,
bers of the council, calling particular at
tention to the matter of oil and gas. By
some was advised to buy those articles
absolutely necessary; others were nom
commlttaI. and still others extremely en-
phatic in the statement that 1 would SUBJ
ject myself to criticism if l purchased any,
thing without requisition.
''After this I filed a report with the
council. believing that as result the
acquisitions for actual necessaries would
be approved, and had the oil not given out
nothing further would have taken place
until this report could have been presented
to council and acted upon.
II hope it will be thoroughly understood
that have no desire to antagonize or re-
fleet upon the council or any city officer,
and that I am thoroughly willing to CO.
operate in any proper manner of economy,
but at the same time, do not feel willing
to disregard the direct orders of the coun-
ciI >,