The record-union., 1897-10-05
FRONT-STREET SIDEWALKS.
CITIZENS ASK AMENDMENT OF
THE ORDINANCE.
e. 8. Smith Criticises Chief Guth-
rie's Handling of the Fire and
Wants Him Removed.

The City Board of Trustees met in
regular weekly session last night,
Trustees Leonard, Wachhorst, Davis,
Mckay, Tozer, Devine and Pennish be-
ing present.
w. D. knights appeared before the
board in relation to the fixing OF the
grade of sidewalks on Front street. and
petition of property owners was
read, asking the board to withhold en-
forcement of the ordinance on that
street, for the reason that there is so
much heavy material handled on that
street that the cement sidewalks can
not stand it; that the surface of the
cement walk is SO smooth that it
makes the hauling of lumber and other
heavy material dangerous to man and
beast; that the enforcement Of the Or
dance would work a great hardship
on the property owners; that rents have
been lowered so much on that street
as to render the property valueless for
income purchases, and the enforce
ment of the ordinance, with the depre-
citation of property, would in many
cases work the practical confiscation
of the property. They therefore ask
that the ordinance be amended to al
low Front street property owners to
construct sidewalks and repair them
with wood, and similar material.
The petition was referred to the May
or, City Surveyor and Street Commit
tee.
F. s. Smith complained that on the
night Of the fire that destroyed his sta
bic, his loss was caused by the negli-
gence of the Chief Engineer and his
not handling the fire properly on ac-
count of not placing The hose properly.
He therefore asked the board to dis
miss the Chief Egineer from his posi-
ton.
w. M. Sims. Smiths attorney, said
that the matter was an unfortunate
one, and as there is probably much to
be SAID on both sides of the question,
it would be well to set an evening for
hearing it.
On motion of Devine the time was set
for a week from tonight.
Mckay said that Mr. Smith had had
to put in a night watchman, and he
thought the city should pay for it. He
hoped the board would be able to see
its way clear to allow the demand.
M. Smith was instructed to present
his bill. and the board would consider
the matter.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Davis. for the Water Committee, re-
ported J. A. Cunningham's bill of S44
all right, and it was allowed.
DoVine for the Street Committee, re-
ported in favor Of the bill of A Grubbs
for s., and it was allowed.
J. Z. Scroggs was granted a saloon
license at 2000 O street
The request of Jake Zemansky for a
saloon license for the Palm saloon came
next.
Devine said he had expected, through
notice published in the evening paper,
that Ike Zemansky would be here to
answer questions, and make some SEN
sational disclosures. He wanted to
hear what he had to say, and wished
he was here
The license was granted
Devine said he thought the sprinkling
of the bituminizied streets should be
dispensed with for a week, as the
sweepers cannot sweep the wet streets
clean. He moved that it be dispensed
with for week
Tozer thought the dry streets would
be a nuisance, but the motion was car
ried.
STREET WORK.
A resolution for constructing a sewer
in the alley between n and o, Twenty
fifth and Twenty-sixth streets, was
adopted
Resolutions for constructing a sewer
on the alley between f and C, Thir-
teenth and Fifteenth, and L and M and
Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets,
were adopted.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
Robert Millen complained that James
Sprague would not pay his rent. The
matter was referred to the Chief En-
gineer of the Fire Department
A saloon license was granted to
Kuchler & Struse, 70S K street
Davis said that the board had acted
under a misrepresentation in the case
of William Sitter, in refusing to grant
q rebate on his license. He had paid
his license for three months, from Oc-
tober 1st, and had used none of it.
Tozer said that some years ago it
was customary for saloons to take out
license for one month just at fair
time and then close up and the law
was changed to shut out such work
Mr.. Sitter said he sold out his place
on account of i'll health and had after
wards bought the new saloon, but had