The herald., 1897-01-20
TIE MAIN STREET PAVING
Will Be Investigated bxa
Special Committee
HEARING DEFERRED FOR TWO Weeks
In the Meantime Testimony Will
Be Taken
EXPERTS TO BE EMPLOYED
Councilman Hutchison Wants Railroad
Tracks Removed From Alameda St.
And the Same Placed on the River Front or
Seine Other Feasible Place
Regular Weekly Meeting Of the Police
Observation-Disclosures Attack On
the Horseshoe Saloon-Ministers
EXPERTS TO BE EMPLOYED
Councilman Hatchison Wants Railroad
Tracks Removed From Alameda St.
And the Same Placed on the River Front or
Seine Other Feasible Place
Regular Weekly Meeting Of the Police
Commissioners-Anot Attack On
the Horseshoe Saloon-Ministers
Want the License Revoked

The city council met in adjourned ses-
sion yesterday afternoon to hear pro-
tests against the acceptance of the Main
street pavement, principally, and incl
dentally for the transaction of such
other business as might come up. The
councilmen got together with reasonable
promptitude. that is, for councilmen,
they not being more than fifteen or
twenty minutes late. The lobby was
well filled. as was also the gallery, and
three ladies occupied seats inside the
rail, one remaining outside.
Two baskets and a bag filled with
rocks and other paving material, be-
sides a number of smaller. packages, oc-
cupied prominent place at the side of
the clerks desk. presumably having been
filed as exhibits. There was also a
strong array of legal talent, both the
Main street contractors and the prop
erty owners being represented by coun-
Gil
When the roll was called, at 2:20 o'clock
all the members of the council answered
10 their names except Mr.. Baker who
came in afterwards The president
10 the Importance of meeting promptly
at the hour to which adjournment was
haG, and, after explaining his ruling on
the water resolution of the previous day
announced that the special order was the
hearing of protests against the accept
ance of the Main street pavement
John T. Jones. attorney for the con-
tractors, asked that the council at once
decide on its mode of procedure
whether the matter is to be considered
in open council and testimony taken, or
whether the matter Is to be referred to
a special committee to take testimony
and present a report to the council.
The other attorneys agreed that this
matter should be first settled and Pres
ident Silver moved that the matter be
referred to a special committee Of three
members of this council. together with
the street superintendent and the city
engineer. said committee being hereby
authorized and requested to invite in
forrnation~in relation to the matter as
to the cause of complaint on the part
Of the appellants. and to make q
thorough investigation of the work done
on said street and report to this council
whether the work is constructed of the
materials and in the manner required
by the contract and specifications, and
also submit such recommendations as
it may deem proper to make.
Councilman Nickel offered an amend
ment to the effect that said committee
be empowered to employ experts to test
the work, If in their judgment they
deemed it necessary.
The amendment was accepted by the
president, and the motion as amended
passed by a unanimous vote, after which
the chair named as the special commit
tee Councilmen Nickel. Blanchard and
Toll
Councilman Hutchison suggested that
as most of those who would give tes-
timony were unknown to the councilmen,
they be sworn. This, he said, would act
as check against reckless statements.
The matter was referred to the COM
nlittee having the matter in charge.
1t being necessary. under the law, to
continue the hearing to some definite
date. on motion of Councilman Nick
ell. the date was fixed at one week from
Monday next. February 2Sth, at 2 y. m.
Councilman Nickel stated that the
committee would hold q meeting in the
council chamber one week from Friday
next, at p M, at which all those who
desired TO make statements would be
given a hearing.
CONTRACTOR M'GREAL'S HORSES
The clerk then read the following COM
munication:
Having lost two horses from my
stable several weeks ago, and finding
that they have been disposed of by the
poundmaster, I would like an investiga-
ton of the same"
Councilman Hutchinson said that he
had already heard something of this case
which was, to say the least a peculiar
one, and he thought it should be investi-
gated by special committee. but the
matter was referred to the finance COM
mittee.
AFTER THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC
Councilman Hutchison then stated
tnat he had an important matter to
prlng up, which especially affected his
ward, and read the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas. By reason of the great in
crease OF traffic and the long distance
between the freight depot and the main
passenger depot of the Southern Pacific
Railroad company in this city, and be-
cause of the great distance from the
Arcade passenger depot to the shops and
round-house OF the said company. that
ancient, central and broad thorough
fare known as Alameda street has be-
come almost entirely monopolized bv the
said Southern Pacific Railroad com
pany for the distance of about two
miles In the heart OF the city and in the
very midst of the greatest traffic dis
trict; and,
Whereas, Such continuous running of
trains and yard engines and SO mnch
switching in the street has made it ex-
tremely dangerous, for many thousands
OF men, women, school children. street
cars and teams of all sorts to cross the
said street or to so to and fro upon If.
and,
Whereas. Such use of the said s+rao+
has been the direct cause of the death of
many innocent people. besides a great
injury to the property in that vicinity
and the source of nnumerable DELAYS to
men of business; therefore, be it
Resolved, That such appropriation of
. public street by private concern. to
the great detriment Of the general wei.
fare, be and is hereby declared a public
nuisance; that the city engineer be and
is hereby directed to prepare and pre-
sent to this council plans for the re-
moval OF the tracks of said company
from Alameda street to the river front
or 70 some other feasible location, where