The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-22
REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE.
PET SCHEME OF MAYOR DORAN
ALSO GIVEN A BLACK
EYE.
LIGHTS FOR THE SIXTH WARD.
Report From the Board of Public
Works About Cleaning and
Sweeping of Streets.

Of aldermen last night was devoted
to routine business. Ten Of the eleven
members were present, the absentee
being Aid. Lindahl, and President
BigeloW was in the chair.
Some weeks ago Assemblyman Dix
directed the board of public works
to report to the council information
as to the sweeping and cleaning Of
the streets and the cost Of the same.
The report Of the board Of public
works was made to the aldermen last
night. and was referred to the COM
mittee on streets without reading. The
report was as follows:
Total number of miles of street swept, not
including asphalt, 1913. OF the asphalt Streets
1914 miles. The total number Of miles of
machine sweeping done during the year was
1855, which would be an average Of about
seven miles per day. There was hauled off
the streets approximately 7412 loads, contain
ing about 1850 cubic yards and Weighing
1880 tons. The total number Of days labor
of men was 1926. and of teams. 1873 The
total amount Of money expended for this nur-
pose was s10,500. From the time this sweep
ing was commenced April until July 10,
four horse-sweepers were run and the daily
average cost was $SS.40. At that time the
funds began to get low and 1t was found that
the street sweeping and the force was re-
duced to two sweepers, with an average daily
expenditure of about S43. so. In regard to the
cost of sweeping the cedar block pavements
1t is the opinion of the board that IL the
system could be carried out as started at the
beginning Of the year the results of the
sweeping would be satisfactory and the ex-
pepsa Of doing this work would be about
SIS, C0e. If swept as called for in the resolu-
ton ths cost would be about S21,G 900.
In regard to the SWeepiQP of the asphalt
streets We would say that contracts were
let by the board of public works for the
sweeping of 10.4 miles under twenty-five
contracts. and one contract for gathering
the material. Thirty-one men were employed
on this work of cleaning and three teams in
gathering UP the material. The cost Of the
work was sS,02131. Although the asphalt
streets were kept generally in a fair con-
dition the work was not altogether satisfac-
tory The price bid was too low and in
many instances the contractors were physt-
cally unable to perform the work satisfac-
torily and did very little except gathering
the opinion that the principle Of the work is
the proper one, and that by making some
changes in the districts and letting the con-
tracts to none but ablebodied men. efficient
work can be secured next year.
We are also making arrangements to try
the experiment of flushing these streets with
a line Of fire hose taking the water from
the hydrants. We think this work can be
d
night. Washing the streets upon which there
is heavy traffic about twice week. and the
0thc~ Tcets that need it about once a week.
II the work was done suggested in the
! es0luJion of your honorable body, it would
require from two to three times that amount.
The street railway company has done moth
ing I'd keep their tracks clean and swept,
except on the curves and the Wabasha street
bridge, and has not paid any money into the
city treasury for that purpose.
The board would RESPECTFULLY recommend
that the contractors for sweeping asphalt
streets be compelled to wear white duck
suits and white caps, the number of the con-
tractor to be placed on the cap and the suits
to be furnished by the city, for the reason
that during the last season several of the
contractors were run into by teams and quite
severely injured. In the opinion OF the board.
If the contractors were required to wear
white suits they would be more conspicuous,
and thus prevent accidents to themselves.
City Engineer Rundiett informed the coun-
ell that in 1888 bridge was erected on the
line of Pelborn street across the right Of way
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & ST. Paul rail-
way (where no street had ever been dedi-
Gated or condemned at the expense Of prop
was never turned over to the city and never
accepted The floor Of the bridge is in
bad condition and the railway company was
notified to make the repairs. An answer
was received that the company holds that 1t
is not responsible for the bridge, as it was
simply erected by them and paid for by
parties interested in property in the i'm
mediate vicinity.
The so called investigation of the fire de-
partment as to the Schultz block fire. which
was started by the assembly committee on
fire department, was practically laid to rest
by the action of the board The matter came
up on resolution passed by the assembly
requesting the joint committee on fire de-
partment to proceed with the investigation.
ton should neither be considered nor recog-
nized by the aldermen. The department, he
said, had done its work well at the time
of the Ryan block fire. 1t had saved the
hotel which had been erected at a cost to the
citizens of $25O,0OO, and the investigation
asked for was unnecessary.
Aid. Sanborn suggested the resolution be
referred to the committee on streets, of
which he is a member, and announced that
cit would be taken care Of there" 1t was
so referred without opposition.
Some weeks ago Mayor Doran notified the
council that it would cost but $50 for the
city to belong to the League Of American
municipalities, and suggested that the amount
be appropriated for this purpose. Last even
ing the mayor sent in another communication
to the same effect. The matter, which was
in the hands Of the committee on ways and
means, was recalled and after some discus
sion returned to the committee. The opinion
the money would simply increase the income
of the secretary Of the league, and that 1t
would be unwise to waste that amount.
A communication from the Trades and La
to the assembly last week in relation to the
election of a city printer for 1888 was re-
ceived. The letter was filed without even
being read.
1t was expected the application for license
for the Olympic theater would be brought
up, but the only reference to the matter
was a resolution, introduced by Aid. Dona-
hover, which fixed the license of the various
theaters for the year 1898. According to the
resolution the Metropolitan ard the Grand will
each pay $780, and the Olympic $50. The reso-
luton passed by unanimous vote.
The resolution directing the $3.50. left in the
police pension fund, distributed pro rata
among the members who were On the roll
when the law repealed, was sent to the
committee On police for investigation. The
assembly passed the order, but number OF
the aldermen are opposed to the distribution
as contemplated
removal and collection of garbage in the
eleven wards of the city for next year.
The awards of the contracts to the ST. Paul
Gas company and the American Development
company for lighting the city with gas and
electric lights and gasoline lamps were ap-
proved. The board Of public works was d.
t tie Increase e the e9 humber Of arc re! lights
ordered for next year from eighty-ive to
ninety-two and the additional seven lights
will be placed in the Sixth ward.
preliminary order. introduced by Aid.
Shepard, directing the board OF public works
to report on the boulevarding Of Carroll
street and the reducing of the roadway
10 d WlQIu VI I'LL ~ ISCI pSIHCCi SiS'SIdii
Sixth streets, were passed.
Preliminary orders for change of grade
on Olive street. between Sixth and Fifth
street, and ON Pine street, from Fifth to
Sixth streets were passed.
The resolution passed by the chamber Of
commerce to the effect that franchise grant
ed to the American Telephone and Telegraph
company would be for the best interests of the
city was sent to the committee on streets.
The board adjourned to next Wednesday
night by which time it is expected street
toxr IfuN1
an ordinance agreeable to the city and COM
pany will be passed.
Eastman Family Jars.