The herald., 1897-09-08

er had rendered the taxes due and 4
suggested that the sale be set aside. Re-
ferred to the finance committee.
A similar condition of affairs was dis
covered in regard to certain property or
Wolfskill street belonging to Robert
Morley. 1t had been assessed against
unknown owners as we'll as against its
real owners, and as the taxes had not
been paid, except by the latter, it was
sold This matter was referred to the
same committee.
PROTESTS AND PETITIONS
The protest of J. Van Dam against
the acceptance of the grading and gen.
eral improvement of Beaudry avenue,
between First and Second streets. en-
gagged attention for twenty minutes.
Mr. Van Dam was called upon to ex-
plain his protest and stated that he had
protested against the work when it was
first proposed. but his efforts to have
the matter deferred had failed. He
charged that after the council had acted
upon the petition for the work several
changes had been made in the papers
which caused material Increase in the
amount of work done. According to his
statement, the original petition had
asked that the work commenced at Sec
ond street and this was afterward
changed so as to make the beginning Of
the improvement at First street. Presi-
dent Silver demanded to know whether
Van Dam could prove this and the lat
ter said that he could. 1t was discovered
that the change had been made with the
full knowledge of the council and was
1oo NTr nov
posed. The street superintendent re-
ported that he had accepted the work
August 25.
This made it impossible for the council
to take action on the protest in its pres
ent form. and Mr.. Van Dain was in
formed that the only course left open to
him was to appeal from the acceptance
of the work. He is allowed thirty days
in which to do this, and his appeal viii
be presented at the next meeting of the
council. He declared it was impossible
for him to enter his lot without great
difficulty, as the work is at present.
Herman Hellman and others petitioned
the council to remedy the defects in
street grading at Fourth and Main
streets, where. on account of the alleged
defective grading. the cutters were at
all times full of stagnant water, which
was a menace to the health in that
neighborhood. AT that corner are two
of the largest hotels in the city, and the
petition stated that the poor drainage
was likely to give to tourists an un-
favorable opinion of the city. The mat
ter was referred to the board of public
works.
"a petition for financial assistance
from the city in support of the day nur-
sery, an institution founded to care for
children whose mothers were compelled
10 work in the stores during the day
time, was referred to the finance COM
mittee.
Interested property owners petitioned
the council to cause Washington street,
between Hoover street and the city linn
its, to be widened to a uniform width
of 100 feet. Referred to the city engi-
neer.
City Justice Morrison filed his repor.
of business transacted during the month
Of August. During that time he, col
.ected $11775. The report was referred
to the city auditor.
The report of the gas and light COM
4
electric light at Sixteenth and Magnolia
streets, was adopted.
On the recommendation of the supply
committee the council authorized the
clerk to advertise for bids for furnishing
crude oil for use at the city hall and
other city buildings where that commod-
ity is used.
PROPOSED BOILER AMENDMENTS
The board of examining engineers pre-
sented in, special report several amend
ments to the boiler ordinance now in
force, which they recommended for i'm
mediate passage. One of these amend
ments is to place steam mangles and
dryers in which steam is used under
pressure under the control of the boiler
inspector. The text of this amendment
has already been published. The board
also suggested in another amendment
that payments, whether salaries or other
expenses, be paid out of the boiler fund
instead Of out of the general cash fund.
Referred to the special boiler commit
tee.
Mr.. Grider moved that Alameda street
from First to Washington street be
sprinkled. Adopted.
CAUSES CONFUSION
petition for permission to partially
improve Eleventh street with cement
sidewalks and curbing by private COR
tract, brought out considerable discus
sion on the subject of private contracts
in general. Mr.. Toll stated that the pro-
miscuous granting of permission for
several lots of these improvements had
in some instances worked a hardship
either to the city or to some property
had been. thus improved and later the
city desired to complete the entire street
those who had had the work already
done by private contract escaped ali
cost and the bills had to be paid eithar
by the city or by one or two property
owners. He objected to the granting of
such petitions without careful consider
alton. Several other members took part
in the discussion, and the matter was
finally referred to the board of public
titions.
Mr.. Hutchison moved that the street
superintendent be directed to have the
curb and sidewalk on First street be-
| tween Alameda and Los Angeles streets
| made to conform to the ordinance fixing
| the width and location of said sidewalk
and curb Adopted.
| Mr.. Hutchison also moved that the
! city attorney be directed to draw up an