The herald., 1897-11-09
The Resurfacing Ordinance
Finally Passed
HOSE CONTRACT AWARDED
FIRE COMMISSION CONTROLS IT'S
OWN ENGINEERS
Petition for Repeal Of the New Hitch
ing ordinance-To Make Reg
ulations for Asphalt Tests

Yesterdays session Of the city coun-
Gil was q lively one. Almost from start
to finish there was some member on the
floor making objection to somethng'
fighting a proposed measure, or Vehe-
mently declaring his position as 10
some question in which the whole peo-
ple were supposed to be interested. Inc
session was the longest for several
months. Beginning at 1920 the MEM
hers wrestled with municipal questions
until afternoon. Then the usual re-
cess was taken. At 2 they went at IL
arain. and not until nearly did they
finally adjourn.
The most important measure consid-
cred was that of resurfaclng Spring
street. The long-looked-for petltion
containing the signatures OF the OWN
ers of q majority of the property 'front.'
age was presented, and was Immediately
referred to the city engineer for eX-
animation to ascertain whether the
majority was really represented. IL
was there. and the engineer so reported.
ACCOMMODATING his report was the ordl-
nance of intention for the work. rms
ordinance was adopted after grand
stand play by Mr.. Hutchison, in whicn
he took occasion to attack the neWspa-
pers Of the city, charging, truthfuly'
that they were, to great extent re-
sponsible for this much needed I'M
proyement, and, falsely, that they were
subsidized. The passage of the final
ordinance for the work will be the next
step to be taken by the council.
When the report of the fire commits
sion on the hose matter came up 1t
caused another lively fight, which con-
tinued almost to the end Of the morning
session. Against the advice OF the
commission and of the chief, the council
rejected the report made, took the mat
ter into it's own hands and awarded the
entire contract to the makers of the
Dragon brand the price being 10 cents
Der foot. This is believed by some per-
sons to settle the matter, but it does not.
The acceptance of bid requires only
a majority vote, but the award of con-
tract finally requires a two-thirds vote.
1t ia doubtful il the six votes can be Sc
cured when the contract comes up Tor
approyal. and another fight will be the
result.
City Attorney Dunn, in long opinion
sustained the position taken by the
board of fire commissioners In the mat
fer of the claim made by the board of
examining engineers that the engineers
in the fire department are subject to
examination, and that they must have
licenses. The city attorney holds that
v1pr1hQrS OF
the fire department are under the juris-
diction of the fire commission, ana that
the council has no authority over them
nor can it delegate such authority to
another board, such as the examining
engineers. The engineers in the de-
partment are therefore exempt from
examination by the latter board.
The matter of the appointment of
meat inspector was not brought up. 1t
will be decided at the next meeting OF
the council.
Some defect has been discovered in
the petition for the resurfacing OF Main
street, and that matter was also held
back.
So zcalously did the police enforce the
new hitching ordinance that petition
for it's repeal was received from twenty
eight merchants doing business on Main
street The petition was referred to
the board of public works.
Action on the matter of widening
Belleyue avenue was deferred one week,
as il is desired to include in the same as
sessment district the proposed improve
ment of Buena Vista street.
At the earnest request of City En-
gineer Dockweiler the council has in
augurated a movement which will, it is