The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-15
CHANGE TWO ITEMS
LIGHTING FUND ESTIMATE IN
CREASED AND BUILDING IN
SPECTOE'S CIT DOWN.
MUCH OF THE BUDGET PASSED
THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
RUsHEs THE WORK OF APPROX
ING THE ESTIMATES.
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL FUND
Was Such That Comptroller Me-
Cardy Found Delight In Re-
ferrinG to 1t.

The conference committee made rapid
Roadway in the consideration of the
tax estimate for 1898 yesterday. In
session lasting little over two hours,
eighteen of the two dozen items in the
budget were considered and disposed
of. Changes in the estimates as sub
mitted by the comptroller were made
only in two items, the lighting fund and
the building inspectors department.
The lighting fund was increased over
the estimate returned by the comp
troller by the addition of $1,000 nearly
all of this sum to be expended in plac-
ing Welsbach burners On 1000 of the
gas lamps throughout the city. Assem-
byman Kirke, who represents the Sew
enth ward, stated that only 800 of the
burners would be used in that ward,
the balance Of the 1000 being distribut-
ed in the other wards Of the city. The
amount placed in the estimate for the
building inspectors department was
$4,000, but this was reduced to SO, 900,
the statement being made that the
department was "a farce" The coun-
Gill; however, has the last say about
the estimate for this department, and,
as a Republican is to be installed in
the Office within the next three weeks,
it is safe to assume that the full
amount allowed by the charter will be
given the new official, the conference
committee to the contrary. 1t was ex-
pected that there would be the usual
lengthy discussion over the school
funds, but this was averted.
Comptroller McCardy took occasion
to pat himself on the back, so to speak.
when he read the figures which showed
the income of the school fund for 1897.
These figures showed that there had
been $517 ,212.69 credited to the school
fund for the present year, which in
cluded balance on hand Jan. 1, 1897,
of over $4,000. President Zimmerman
stated that the amount allowed In the
estimate for 1898, $4S1, $50, would be suf-
f1cient to run the schools for the COM
ing year, but would not allow anything
for new buildings or free text books.
The changes made yesterday by the
conference committee increase the total
as submitted by the comptroller just
$4,000. At the meeting this afternoon
the question Of how much money shall
be allowed the bridge repair fund will
be decided. The estimate allows but
SlV,VUV 1Or IIllS purpose, DuC the city en-
gineer, backed by those Of the council
interested in the Sixth ward, is to
ask that $4,000 be placed in the esti-
mate for the widening Of the Wabasha
street bridge. Aside from this improve
ment about 100000 additional will also
be asked to repair and paint the vari-
Gus bridges in the city. The following
is the estimate as prepared by City
Engineer Rundlett
Edgerton street bridge, now wood
en- floor and brick pavement. 49,. S4,6O0 90
Fort Smelling bridge, painting 80. 1000 90
High bridge. new floor and
brick pavement. SIS, coo
- 49, 80, 500 90
Lafayette avenue bridge painting. 800 90
Third street bridge, new floor and
brick pavement .,...;.............. 1900 90
University avenue bridge new
floor. brick pavement and paint
ing $50. .:....::.......: $4,000 90
Wabasha street bridge, rebuilding,
72O Iinea1 feet $780, 600 90
feet -. ....................... 5000 90
Westminster street bridge, new
noor SS,fW