The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-25
RESCINOS ITS ACTION.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN GRANT THE
PETITION OF MR. PAGE.
After Three Special Meetings the Page
Company is Allowed TO Garry Steam
Across Martin Street.

After Three Special Meetings the Page
Company is Allowed to Carry Steam
Across Martin Street.
The Board of Aldermen did an emf
nently wise and sensible ching last
night.
They came around like true and
honest men, and when they we're con-
WINGED they had made a mistake, at
once took steps to correct the error
and undo the damage.
Nor the last two weeks all this
trouble between Mr.. c. b. Edwards
and the Board of Aldermen and the
Page Lumber Company has narrowed
down 10 the simple question whether
the Board would permit steam to be
conveyed across Martin street at
pressure of sixty pounds. The Boarl
had already rescinded fts action re-
garding the boiler in rear of the
Academy of Music and decided if that
damaged property it was a matter for
the courts. 1t had already decided
that any user of steam in the city had
the right, without asking the consent
of the Board of Aldermen, to convey
steam in safe pipes under any street
at a pressure as high ass fifteen
pounds They had decided that when
enc desired to convey steam in such
manner under pressure of more
than fifteen pounds, that privilege
could be granted upon petition to the
Board of Aldermen.
But when the Messrs. Page in due
form petitioned the Board TO allow
them to convey steam across Martin
street. from the Academy of Music
to the Park hotel, under pressure
OF sixty pound to the square inch, the
Board refused to grant them the pri-
viIege. Three experts and a special
committee of the Board Of Aldermen
had examined and tested the pipes
and pronounced that there would be
10 danger to life or property in con-
veying the steam across this street at
a much higher pressure than sixty
pounds. This action of the Board,
contrary 10 the report of their own
committee. occaSioned great surprise.
One of the leading members OF the
Board and n member of the committee,
Mr.. j. \. Mills, Immediately rendered
his resignation, and said with much
feeling: II never intend to invest
another dollar in Raleigh"
The action of the Board was con
demned on all sides, and prominent
business men were loud in their de-
nunciation of the injustice that had
been done the Pages.
The Page family was surprised and
incensed at the action OF the Board,
and felt that the city had singled them
out for oppression, and had placed ON
them a burdensome limitation that
was decidedly unjust.
Mir. A. Frank Page, one of the larg
est owners of real estate in the city.
this week advertised for sale all mis-
property n Raleigh, including the
Academy of Music. The Page Lumber
Company were considering closing the
Park Hotel.
This at first small affair had grown
to such proportions that it threatened
TO materially damage the city.
The action of the Board last night
will be generally commended.
This special meeting is due to the
efforts of Mr.. r. T.. Crawford, one of
the Park Hotel managers. lie yester-
day carried members of the Board to
the place where the plant, etc. is loca-
ted. and explained to them the work
ings Of the proposed system.
Mr.. Crawford explained to the Board
that he had been instructed to move
the engine and dynamo across the
street, to the lot in rear Of the Acad-
envy, where it might be a nuisance to
Mr.. Edwards, whereas, if the Board
permitted the steam to be carried
across the street, this possible nuisance
would be prevented. He then secured
the signatures of a majority of the
board for a special meeting to recon
slider the action of the former special
meeting.
Mayor Russ called the meeting
promptly.
1t was held last night at $50 o'clock
The matter had been fully discussed
time and again by both sides, and
neither the attorney nor principals
were invited to be present last night.
The meeting lasted just ten minutes,
and il was ten minutes we'll spent.
The members present voted unani-
mousiy 10 rescind their former action.
The following Aldermen were pres
emit: Messrs. Charles Z. Johnson, Hon
eycutt. James Baker, l.. n. White, G..
w. Hoover, j. Il. Ferrall and ]. A.Miils.