The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-18

yer who responded very tartly that the
corporations referred to instead Of he
ing back OF the viaduct We're unfavOy.
IDLY disposed towards 1t. 1t Is the 49,
j0OQ people passing over the West Iacka-
wanna avenue crossing daily who are
demanding the viaduct.
Mr.. sGilroy's amendment was then put
to heshOuse and carried. Only u small
number voted for 1t and Captain Moir
was the only member to vote against
1t. The West Side members seemed
to have lost all interest in the viaduct
and everything else.
Next came Mr.. Gordon with his
amendment to extend North Sumner
avenue to Putnam street in the Second
ward. In order to open a way to the
school house in course of erection there.
He pledged the support of Providence
for the viaduct II his amendment was
adopted. 1t was lost however on tie
vote.
Mr.. Moir wanted few minutes grace
to fix up an amendment for the repair
of the old station house. hut there
We're too many behind him waiting with
amendments to permit any delay. Mr..
Keller In order to help along the force
introduced an amendment for opening
Vine street at a cost of $4,000 but 1t
was tabled. because 1t was defectively
ii
ness. proposed adding a $4,000 viaduct
to span the Delaw ware, Lackawanna and
Western tracks between Emmett and
MERIDIAN streets. Mr.. Kellar. verbally
onered as an amendment to the amend
ment that Viaducts be built over every
railroad crossing i'm the city and that
the city be bonded in the sum of $780,
100000 to do this. This nettled the gem
tiemen from Bellevue but they stuck to
their measure and succeeded in giving
II the support Of two votes.
MR.. KELLEY'S ARGUMENT.
on motion of Mr.. Nealis the ordin-
ahce as amended was called up on first
reading. It was about to be passed
when Mr.. Keller took the floor and in
a SLOW and deliberate manner tore
up the viaduct proposition from stem
to stern. A viaduct with an per
cent. grade and a sharp curve at its
landing, situated as this one Is to be
Will be of no benefit. Transfers and
pedestrians will continue to use the
old roadway. The viaduct will cause
the watchfulness at the crossing to
be lessened. The crossing itself will
be more or less narrowed and blockaded
by reason of the viaduct. The danger
VIII be increased instead of diminished,
The only one to derive any benefit from
the viaduct will be the street car COM
pany. He was in favor of a viaduct
but he would no longer favor any via
duct project that cOntemplates doing
the thing In cheap John manner. 1t
would be better to spend 100000 in
building viaduct that would be a
viaduct. one covering the entire width
of the street and having room for
something more than merely two street
car tracks, than to waste 100000 in
building a viaduct of no practical use,
and in many ways an injury, rather
than benefit. The thing to do Is to
kill the present ordinance and wait
until the citv can afford to build one
that will do for all time. ~
This was cold shower h IN to the
chilled West Siders and IL voted
only in half hearted mann for the
passage of the ordinance on rst and
second readings. About tn votes
were cast for it and no one ,ok the
trouble to vote against it.
The ordinance for honding he city
for 100000 to establish municipal
electric light plant was favorably re-
ported from the light and water COM
mittee and passed on first and second
readings.
OTHER BUSINESS.
An ordinance for fiagstOne sidewalks
and paved cutters on Emmett street,
between the river and Railroad ave-
nue., and an ordinance providing for
two electric lights in the Sixth ward
also passed first and second readings.
Mr.. Gilroy introduced a resolution di-
recting the city engineer to make
plans and an estimate of the cost of
opening Wyoming avenue as provided
in an amendment to the viaduct
ordinance. Philip Worth introduced a
resolution directing the Traction COM
pany to guard it's ''T" rails with plank
ing or suffer the street commissioner
to do it at their expense. Mr.. Moore
introduced resolution permitting the
Economy Steam Heat and Power COM
pany to extend it's mains from Spruce
street to the new Nay Aug engine
house, providing that extension Is Of
no expense to the city. All three reso-
lutiOns were adopted.
Adjournment was made until We'd
nesday, Dec. 30.