The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-08

charter and will at once be obvious without further explanation. Other or dinanees, which it is suggested be re- pealed, are either covered by the char ter itself, or are inconsistent herewith, or are covered by the statutes of the state, or are in conflict herewith, or are unconstitutional, or obsolete, Per haps the most radical change herewith suggested is that in reference to the care of the streets, making 1t the duty of the city to restore streets and pave ments when opened or excavated by individuals, In presenting this change, the commission after a careful examin- ation of the whole subject, and after correspondence with the officials of most of the larger cities of the coun> try, feels that it has upon the whole presented the best plan suited to the conditions as they exist here, The sums charged for licenses were pre- pared after careful estimates by the city engineer and are, If anything, rather lower than is charged in other cities for the same work. The commits sion has yet to find citizen who does not favor having this work done by the city.
 While the subject of public convey anoes'' takes up great deal of space In the report, the real changes In the ordinance are not many, a rearrange- ment of the sections making it neces- sary to publish the whole. The prin- cipal changes are in relation to the numbering of vehicles and in giving additional police supervision in the premises.
 In accordance with the theory of the charter, in the matter of concentration of power and responsibility, the com mission has suggested ordinances mak- ing all sums of money due the city, un- less the charter otherwise provides, payable to the collector; and wherever heretofore duty or responsibility has rested upon the board of public works or superintendent of streets, the same has been transferred to the director. This is also true in reference to the board of finance and as to the fire marshal.
 Another important change which the commission suggests Is in reference to the strnging of wires in the city. All of the changes proposed are in the di- rection of the safety of the public and of the men who are obliged to climb the poles in the performance of their work Another most important ordinance l suggested is that in reference to the sale of milk. No argument Is needed, the commission believes, to convince your 1 honorable body of the great desirabili- ty and necessity of the passage of some such ordinance. The health of the com munity, and particularly of the young therein, is consideration that far out weighs any reasons of inconvenience that may result to any one else in the enforcement of such an ordinance. The ordinance proposed is very similar to that existing in most large cities. l As the ordinance now exists, the fire commissioners have the power to allow wooden buildings to be erected within the fire limits. To say nothing of the temptation to abuse this power, the commission believes that the limits as they now exist are terrltorily so mar row, that no wooden building ought to be erected therein, and to that end have suggested the repeal of the ordinance conferrng that power.
 Along the same line the commission has suggested the passage of a. new or- dinance prohibiting the erection of rear ] tenements. This evil has lately grown to such proportions In the city that a halt in that direction has been earnest ly called for by the health and fire de- partments. In the city of New York many rear tenements are now being torn down by the city authorities under power of law.
 By reason of the great number now engaging in 1t, the backing of shoes on the streets has become such a nuisance
 that the commission believes that the boys who engage in it ought to be li- censed by the police in order to properly control and restrain them, but in order that no hardship may result therefrom 1t is suggested that no license fee be charged therefor.
 Allowing minor children from six to ten years of age to be engaged in ped ding and selling newspapers in the streets in all kinds of indictment wealth CT, and in frequenting cafes and sa- looms, is an evil, we believe, that ought to be stopped.
 In conclusion, if the commission may be pardoned for the same, it would Suggest that the court of common coun- cil act upon the proposed changes at the earliest practicable moment The
 public hearing required by the charter has already been held. Under the char ter the proposed changes must be printed before action. If the boards so feel, a special meeting might be held to lconsider the same.
 The commissions reasons for asking for expedition are because many of the city officials do not at present know what the ordinances are, because of the many changes that have been made since the last revision of 1890, of which they have no copies. Further than this the new charter has made much confu-
 sion. and, in addition to all this, the commission, after the court of common council has finally passed upon this re-
 port, will of necessity have to change
 not only the numbers of the sections
 but many ordinances refer to other sec
 tions by number, which will also have
 to be changed.
 Again, the commission will have tc
 prepare a new index, which 1t cannot
 do until it knows just what ordinances
 will be adopted, and has rearranged
 the same and given them their proper