The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-26
NEW COMMISSIONER
HAS BEGUN WORK
Mr.. Dunniug Is FamlIlarizing Himself
with His Duties.
EXAMINED NORTH END STREETS
Found Some of Them in a Depiornbie
Condition--The New Care-Taker
oft Streets Declines to Say Much
About His Plans, for the Rea-
son that He Does Not Want to start
Out with a Blare of Trumpets.
viii Not Have an Assistant.

Street Commissioner A. B. Dunning
yesterday entered upon the duties OF
his office and spent the greater part OF
the day familiarizing himself with the
work that will devolve upon him. In
the afternoon he went to Providence
and examined some of the streets in
that part of the city. He will continue
his Investigations from day to day un-
til he has a close personal acquaint-
ance with the condition of all of the
streets in the city. Mr.. Dunning was
seen by a Tribune reporter after his
return from the North End yesterday
afternoon.
1--WE seen some pretty bad spots on
the roads 1 went over this afternoon"
said the new street commissioner.
What will l do to put the streets in
better shape? Well, that's rather
broad question you know. l don't want
the people of Scranton to think that
it's a case of a new broom sweeping
clean and you will pardon me If 1 de-
cline at this time to say much about
what my plans are. / dislike to begin
my administration with a blow of
trumpets and prefer to begin quietly
and if possible show the taxpayers
what results 1 can give them.
81 have some plans for street i'm
provements in mind but before giving
them a trial must first gain a COM
prehensive knowledge of the condition
of our streets and the peculiar neces-
stiles of each.
FLUSHING THE PAVEMENTS.
Eyes, will continue the practice of
flushing the Streets" replied Mr.. Dun
ming in response to the reporters ques-
ton. Just as soon as the weather
permits the flushing gang will begin
operations. 1t is too cold now at night
for cleaning the pavements in that way.
The workmen could not stand it. / be-
lieve that flushing is the best method
of cleaning the paved streets now in
vogue here. There are other equally
as good and possibly better systems
but it would cost something to put
them in operation. These can be pass
ed upon after a time and if it is thought
advisable we can adopt them.
You can say that / will use every
effort to have the Driving park bridge
opened as soon as possible. 1t is now
in a dangerous condition but / hope
to be able to get it in shape for travel
before long. ! find that the closing of
1t is a great Inconvenience to persons
who have to drive about the north end
of the city"
When questioned about his assistant
Mr.. Dunning said:
There is no such Office as assistant
street commissioner. I had an idea
that 1 was allowed an assistant but
have been informed that such is not the
case. There are several foremen who
have charge of different kinds of work
connected with the department. George
Perigo, who was generally supposed to
be an assistant street commissioner,
was merely one of these foremen. Af-
ter little time some one will be chos =.
en- to succeed him. AS to the other
men now employed in the department.
they will remain if they prove com
petent if not, competent men will sue
ceed them"
EFFECTS TURNED OVER.
commissioned Kinsley turned over
the effects of his office to Mr.. Dunning
before he left for Easton Monday to
attend the knights Templar conclave.
After his return it has been arranged
that there shall be a conference be-
tween the street commissioners past
and present at which details of the
work of the office will be discussed.
After Mr.. Dunning has made himself
familiar with the duties of his office