The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-02


Dunning is causing a very lively howl
among the city fathers. Several of
them called on Mr.. Dunning yesterday
and pointedly told him what they
thought about his purpose to assume
entire charge of the workings of his
department.
One of the first to enter his protest
was James Grier ex-president of the
common council and the Third wards
present representative in that body.
Mr.. Grier wanted to know what was
the use of being a councilman anyway
If a man can't take care of his con-
stituents. When he wants one of his
people employed on the streets of his
ward that man will be taken care of
and the street commissioner might just
as well know that first as last, was
what Mr.. Grier said.
Mr.. Dunning assured Mr.. Grier that
ii was not his intention to invite war
with the councilmen, but he wants to
live up to the law and to that end had
asked the support and cooperation of
the councilmen. He will, of course,
consult councilmen about the men en-
ployed in the various wards. This was
not wholly satisfactory to Mr.. Grier,
but he departed in a somewhat pleas
anter frame than he arrived in. 9th
er councilmen called who had a story
similar to that of Mr.. Grier to tell.
MAYOR SAW 1T.
Mayor Bailey, when seen by a Trib-
une reporter yesterday afternoon, said
that Mr.. Dunning submitted the let
ter to him before copies were addressed
to the councilmen. He thought 1t was
a step in the right direction and told
Mr. Dunning so. He does not antici-
pate much opposition from the coun-
cilmen for he believes they will see the
necessity of some such system as Mr..
Dunning suggests.
A councilman with whom Tribune
reporter talked yesterday does not echo
the opinion of the mayor and he fur
thermore said that in his opinion the
present street commissioner will not
be able to work any reforms in the
matter of expending ward appropria-
tions.
THE office of street commissioner,
he said, "is a political office and the
man who fills it must stand by his
friends and do a number of things that
he probably would not consider for a
moment if he was otherwise situated.
1t will be unwise and indiscreet for Mr..
Dunning to get at loggerheads with the
councilmen and l don't believe he will
do it. If he does they will simply get
back at him by tying his hands and
making it impossible for him to do any
thing in their wards, without being
guided by them absolutely.
QUOTES THE ORDINANCE.
1.-THE section of the ordinance which
Mr.. Dunning quotes contains the fol-
lowing: A" provided, that no fore
men, laborers, or assistants shall be
employed and no contracts made, ma
terials purchased, or work done. in any
ward of the city, except by and will
te advice and consent of the select ant
common councilmen of the ward il
| which the material is to be used ol
| the work performed
You will observe that this provision
makes the street commissioner depend
ent upon the councilmen and if they in
| sist on a strict compliance with the let
| ter of this ordinance they can make &
| good deal of unpleasantness for Mr.
Dunning and can greatly hamper hin
| in his work.
II have devoted some time to {
| thoughtful consideration of this matte
| of eXpending ward appropriations ant
1 don't believe that it can be remedieC
a great deal. If the money could b'
| expended so that the city would receive
| value for each dollar l know that ther
| would be a great improvement in ou
| streets but 1 really fear that an homes
return will never be obtained and 70
| the very good reason that no one eX
poets to do much work if they are EN-
| ployed by the city.
although the city pays highe
| wages to laborers than. any contracto
| the minute a man finds himself on tn
city's pay roll he thinks it is his dut!
to kill as much time as possible. Tn
men employed by councilmen in tn
various words do quite as honest
days work as the regular employees o
the street department and nothing
would be gained by having these mel
do the work"
IS NOT DISMAYED.
Street Commissioner Dunning doe
not seem to be at all dismayed by tn
unpleasant reception his letter re
| ceiVed in some quarters