The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-05-21
CARES OF
COUNCIL !
Lengthy Discussion on the Phoenix Fire
Company Case.
NOTHING DEFINITE DECIDED UPON
A Committee of the Company Appears and
States Reasons For Being Opposed
to the New Joint Fire organi-
cation other Matters
Considered


zation other Matters
Considered.
The Borough Council held three-hour
session last night and indulged in lengthy
discussions on matters pertaining to the
water works, fire department and sanitary
affairs. The members present were Messrs.
Mcclure, CoaBley Lally, Boehm, Magargle,
Shoemaker d. Il. James, Straughn, Englert,
Gable, Brennan, Murphy, Hand and Reese
w. p. Ramsey, Esq, Of Mahanoy City APP
pear in behalf Of Jacob Peifer and said he
would like to arrange affairs amicably be-
tween the latter and the Borough Council
He felt sure there was some misunderstand-
ing and Mr.. PETER was ready and willing to
carry out his coal hauling contract The
matter was finally laid over until the next
meeting to give the committee a chance to
get all facts in the case.
The next subject taken up was the state
ment of the Phoenix Fire Company At its
last meeting Council Instructed the secretary
to notify the officers Of the company to APP
pear and state why the company refused to
join the new fire department In pursuance
of the notice William Mitchell, the president,
and Mr.. O'Haren, the secretary Of the COM
pany, appeared and gave their statements.
Mr. Mitchell said the old system gave satis-
faction aud his company didn't see the
necessity Of a new one but of course, if
Council deemed it wise to abolish the old one
he supposed the Phoenix Company would
have to submit. He also stated that some of
the rules of the new department were such
that the members of the company could not
comply with them.
Mr. 'Haren was given the floor and he
took some time in citing the rules to which
he company objected. He could not see
how the new organization could be Of any
benefit or what it could accomplish other
than creating a multiplicity of officials and
rules. Pottsville and Shenandoah arc
different towns, he said, and rules that would
apply to the former place could not operate
satisfactorily in Shenandoah He particularly
objected to the rules imposing fines for
infractons of the rules and said it was hard
enough to keep the fire companies intact
without resorting to the imposition of fines
for any petty ofiense that may be committed.
He did not know of any trouble occurring
between the fire companies at fires
Mr. Reese made reply in defence Of the
new organization, maintaining that the only
object was to secure better and more effective
discipline
Mr. Hand thought there should be better
discipline in the department, but believed II
would be better for all the trustees to get
together and possibly the Objectionable
features of the rules could be stricken out.
Finally Mr. Gable moved that the matter
be referred back to the fire apparatus com
mittee to request the Phoenix Fire Company
to sent its representatives to fix up the matter
amicably.
Mr.. Mcclure moved an amendment that
the fire companies be requested to select theil
best members for the positions of fire mar
shal and assistant fire marshals and that The
matter be not referred back to the committee
On vote both the amendment and tai
original motion was lost.
Mr.. Reese gave notice that the fire trustee
will meet next Monday evening and if til,
Phoenix Fire Company will send its trustee
they will be prepared to meet and do busines
with them.
Mr.. Lally objected to the fire appamtu
committee proceeding in the matter unit
the present ordinance is adopted.
In answer to Mr.. Mcclure the presiden
stated that the matter stood in the sam,
shape it did before the present meeting wa
held Mr. Mcclure demurred to the ruling
Roads and highways matters were thel
taken up and Mr. Boehm stated that Super
intendent Baird, of Kelley Run colliery
had stopped the borough from using th
stone quarry, but the Girard Estate official
had since given permission to use the quarry
An inlet has been made at Cherry street an'
Market alley
A tilt then followed over the amount o
crossing plates the borough should order
Mr.. Englert made motion fixing the mum
Der at so. Mr.. Coakley made an amendmen
increasing the number to 1OOand d. r. Jane
offered an amendment that the number be &C
On a vote the two amendments and Tn
original motion were knocked out
Subsequently Mr.. Mcclure moved that th
street committee order the number of plate
required and place them where needed, an
this motion was carried.
Mr.. Englert reported the bridge at Catl
crime street and Huckleberry alley in ba
condition.
Mr.. Murphy said two crossings wer
needed on Lloyd street, corner of Gilber
one on Centre street and one on Chestnu
street, corner of Lloyd.
Mr. Boehm called attention to the fac
that there are no pavements at two Of tn
places named by Mr. Murphy and said tn
people should give encouragement to tn
street committee by showing a willingness
help themselves.
ID. R. James said two crossings were needle
on Laurel street and one on Jardin stree
He thought al crossings should be laid an
let the Chief Burgess compel the laying
pavements.
Mr.. Coakley stated that he and Mr. Lall