The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-06
WRESTLED With THE
QUESTION OF LIGHTS.
Council Made No Roadway on This
Important Question.
THE CITY ENGINEER DIRECTED
TO PURCHASE COAL INs THE
OPEN MARKET AT $3.45 PER TON
OF 2,24O PoUNDs-THE COMMIT
TEE ON LIGHTS RECOMMENDS
THREE PLANS FOR THE SOLU~
TION OF THE LIGHT QUESTION.

monthly meeting last night, at which
the following members ATTENDED: Buck
ner, Coleman, Coulbourn, Evans, Fox,
Guy, Hawkins, Mays, Mulch. Oney,
Stnrkey, Stevenson. Woods, Wilson, and
President Terry
Prayer was offered by Rev. j. G. Jones,
of Trinity Church.
The city engineer reported on work
done during the month on streets, and
other public works, and other matters
referred to him for execution
Reports were also received from the
city sergeant, clerk of the markets and
keeper of the almshouse.
Mr.. Fox, from the committee on ac-
counts, reported bills approved, amount
ing to 81 800. ID; which includcdss the bill
of the Roanoke Electric Light and Power
Company for lights for the month of De-
ccmbcr, which was recommended for APP
proval with the understanding that the
payment Of the bill did mot bind the city
to IL contract. The Council approved the
bills.
Mr. Guy, from the committee on finance,
submitted the reports of the city auditor
and treasurer, which were read and filed;
also resolution which WAS adopted sup.
plementing the appropriations rs follows
Fire 81 800; Jail $3.50; lights 81 800; po-
lice, 81, 600; paupers, $500; street repairs.
$500: street cleaning $500; health $500:
commission, $3.50.
He also presented n petition from W.
G. Thomas in behalf Of Mrs. j. Il. Stone,
asking the city to refund the whole
amount of $3.50 for three head of cattle
impounded and sold by the city, which
was agreed to.
The report further referred to the finan-
cial condition of the city as being such rs
would not warrant any further eXpendi.
lures except such actual fixed charges rs
cannot be reduc> d, and recommended
that each department reduce expenditures
to the minimum, and especially that the
street lights he reduced in number.
Mr.. Buckner, from the committee on
streets, reported, recommending that the
bids for street cleaning..b he rejected, and
that the city engineer have the streets
swept by the street force until further
directed by Council, which was adopted.
lie also reported that in reference t, the
petition for side walk approaching the
new public building on Church avenue
from Jefferson street, and on Henry
street from Campbell avenue. that the
engineer prepare plans and estimates of
cost, with n view of giving the property
owners hearing and assessing the cost
OF such construction against the ahutting
property, winch was agreed to.
The committee further reported that
all street work had been completed, cX-
cept repairs to Franklin road and Third
avenue II. w. but that no further work
he done until spring except in emergency
cases, which was adopted.
On petition of c. w. Beckner, manager
of the Academy of Music the committee
recommended Il Stag sidewalk from Salem
avenue, by way OF Fourth street and
Rorer avenue, to the rear entrance of the
Academy of Music. Mt II cost of $50, which
was rejected. ayes 10, noes 5.
Mr.. Mays reported thai his committee
had purchased II car load of coal from
Cashier s. Curran at 81. 45 per ton, which
had been delivered by the city teams: and
that the committee had directed the city
engineer to advertise for bids for furnish.
ing coal to the city which he submitted,
and recommended that they be opened,
read and referred to the city engineer
ami hereafter when coal is needed that
the engineer be authorized to purchase
to the best advantage.
Bids from w. X. Andrews & Co., the
Nottingham Coal Company, j. III. Will
kinson 81 Co. and the Farmers Supply
Company, were opened and on motion of
Mr. Buckner laid on the table. Mr..
Buckner then offered a resolution, which
was adopted, directing the city engineer
to purchase coal by the car load lot ut not
exceeding $40 per ton of 2,240 pounds,
I. o. ID. cars Roanoke. ana that it be de-
livered by he city carts
Mr. Stevenson, from the committee on
lire and water, reported, recommending
that the petition of Mrs. Marion 5.
Friend, to construct Il wagon lot on her
property on Campbell avenue, east of the
Market Square, be granted; also the ap-
plication of Horton & Roberts to extend
stable temporarily in rear of their livery
stable on Henry street, both of which
were granted.
Mr.. Coleman, from the committee on
ordinances, reported proposition of VI.
II. Clayton to publish ordinances and
other matters. rs may be directed by
Council, in The Roanoke Times, which
was accepted.
He also reported an ordinance, requir-
ing the commissioner of revenue 10 de-
liver his books to the tax collector by
May LIST of each year, in order that the
tax collector may have time to make up
the books by July 1st, when the city
taxes will be due. This ordinance was
laid over in order to consult with the
commissioner.
Mr.. Starkey, from the committee on
lights, reported, stating that mis- COM
mittee had under consideration the ques
tion of reduction of the cost of street
lighting, and that three lines of pro-
cedure had been suggested; first to Sc
cure reduction in the price of lights
second, to cut off thirty lights, say six
from each ward; and third, 10 arrange for
the city owning its own plant. The COM
mittee then reported resolution direct.
ing the city engineer to make estimates
and plans for n city plant, and after the
continued on fourth page