The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1897-10-23
INVESTIGATE BLACK.
Why, in Reducing the Force
Did He Discharge Those Who
Were most Independent.
Reeds Salary Claims for May
and June AIlowed-cisy to
Collect st. ny. Co.'s Bill.

OQ the WlOlo Cno cOunClE me0tl0g
Monday night..was;quite tame, and the
council lodged about everything that
came up of any Importance by refer.
ence to some committee.
The committee on water and light
made report recommending that the
number of electric lights be reduced
from 491 to 306, making saving OF
about $4,000 per year. Every alder
man in the room was willing that the
reduction should be made so far as all
other parts of the city were concerned,
except in his own ward; when it came
to his own bailiwick, however, that was
different. and the motion was tabled by
a vote of IL to 5, the patriots who we're
willing to sacrifice their own chances
for reelection on the alter of economy
being Alderman Dahl, Duren, Jefferson,
Simpson and Stevens.
The matter was brought up later by a
resolution from Alderman Hale instruct
ing the light committee to wait on the
water andilight..company and see what
arrangements could be made. A mo-
ton to table Hale's resolution was lost
5 to II, and then the resolution was re-
ferred back to the committee.
President Cochrane appointed on the
committee to appraise property sold for
taxes Aldermen Harker and Jefferson
and City Assessor Hawkes..
The resolution to allow Mr.. Reeds
claim for salary for May and June re-
suited in little fillibustering. There
was dispute as to what the city attor-
ney had advised, but after it was au-
thoritively stated that the city attorney
had advised the payment Of the sal
alaries OF both Reed and Patton, the
motion to refer was voted down and the
bill allowed, -, -
The board of public works was au-
.thorized to advertise for bids for
steam heatings plant for the pump
house, the bidders to furnish their own
plans. .1.
Considerable routine matter was dis
posed of. among other things being a
final estimate to Ole Lee for sanitary
sewer in Dingwall street that Alderman
Simpson said ran back into the brush
where there is not a sign of a house. It
was explained that some real estate
speculator expected in the future to
build in the vicinity, and tho estimate
was allowed. Other business transacted
was the reference to the city
attorney of plans for the relocation of
the side tracks and crossings at Pine
and Arthur avenues: the ratification
of some changes in the improvement Of
the foregoing avenues, and the allow
ance of number of estimates to con-
tractors. ~ E"1~
The city attorney was instructed to
investigate the legality of the city
maintaining an armory, and the same
official was directed to collect the $2.4OO
due to the city from the street railway
company. A resolution from Alderman
Richardson was passed ratifying the ac-
ton of the city officials in renewing Ger
tain orders held by Jas. S. Mason.
The fire departmentsreceived it's GUS
tomary share Of the councils attention.
When it's bills for the. previous month
came up all were allowed except the
Bayha furniture bill, which was referred
to the city attorney for an opini n as to
whether the bill was binding on the
city. In explanation he said that he
wanted to establish whether the charter
means what it says when it requires the
commissioners to submit to the council
their estimates for the coming month.
Before adjournment Jefferson took to
the war path. He called attention to
the report that members of the fire. de-
partment had been discharged because
they were independent enough to ex-
rress their opinions before the council
committee. The matter was referred
to the fire committee to which, on mo-
ton of Alderman Simpson, Jefferson
was added.