davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-01-18
CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM
One Avery or Miller Dies Suddenly
in the City Jail

Coroner Campbell yesterday investi-
gated the death of a man whose real
name is supposed to have been Thomas
Avery, who was found dead in the morn
ing in the city Jail. The post mortem
disclosed that the deceased was thor
oughly inoculated with loathsome
disease and that his stomach was in a
terrible condition from the use of liquor.
The surgeon ascribed death to chronic
alcoholism and blood poisoning, pro-
duced by the absorption by the veins of
the pus in the ulcers on his legs.
Avery had been sent in by officer Tala-
nantes at midnight from Upper Main
street for medical treatment. The man
walked on crutches, said he was home
less and that his left foot, which was
bandaged, was sore. At that time he
gave the name of George Miller. He was
looked after in the receiving hospital and
put to bed. In the morning it was found
that he had died somtime during the
night. In his pocket was bill addressed
to Thomas Avery from the Acme Optical
company, 149 North Mainst street, for a
dozen speetacles, and this led to the pre-
sumption that that was his name instead
of Miller,
The herald., 1898-01-18

premises. He said that he knew there
were some engines which needed new
boilers. but until there was a reserve en-
eine In service he did not believe in
crippling the department. He thought
the commissioners competent to handle
the affairs Of the department and he be-
lieved in allowing them to do SO.
Mr.. Grider opposed the motion. He
pointed to the possible danger of an
explosion of one of the boilers at fire,
at which time the fire engines are al
ways surrounded by large number of
people. He thought the city would be
in greater financial danger from damage
suits II such an accident happened than
from loss on account of the possible
damaging of a fire engine or two. He
argued that the safety of the public de-
manded that the boilers be inspected
properly.
Councilmen Ashman and Hutchison
also favored the inspection of the boil
ers. The latter stated that there could
be no possible danger provided the work
was properly done, and since the city
attorney had decided that the inspect
ors duty was to make the inspections
and the inspector desired to do his duty
the council should uphold him in it.
Replying. Mr. Nickel said 1t was not
question of trying to prevent the in
spector from doing his duty, but of saw
ing the city possible expense and pre-
venting the even temporary erippling
of the fire department. He said there
were engineers in the department who
had forgotten more about fire engines
n ho ot1 mr. lyx,a fhot
the commissioners were able to judge
just what was needed. He, for one. was
willing to let the commission have full
control of the department, for they had
been elected for that purpose
Mr.. Mathuss could not see why excep-
tions were made of fire engines, when
the city required the inspection of all
other boilers in the city. Mr.. Grider
stated that when he was on the fire COM
mission there had been an inspection of
one of the engines which had cost the
city $500 for repairs after the engine had
been dismantled. He knew that some Of
the engines had been in service so long
that they were worn out and as a meas
ure of safety he wanted them inspected.
Mr.. Nickell's motion was lost, only
Messrs. Silver, Blanchard and himself
voting for 1t. He then moved that the
communication from the commission
be placed on file, but this motion was
also lost.
Mr.. Ashman moved that 1t was the
sense of the council that the boiler in
spector should proceed to inspect the fire
department boilers one at time, with
the least possible inconvenience to the
department. This motion prevailed, and
the inspector is now free to take any en-
gine in the department out Of service
for the purpose of inspection. 1t is con-
sidered more than probable that one or
more of them will be condemned and just
what the council will then do toward
replacing them or allowing them to re-
main in service in spite Of condemnation
remains to be seen.
The herald., 1898-01-18
MAY NOW INSPECT
Council Refuses to Exempt the Boilers
Of Fire Department Engines

In spite of the repeated warnings of
the chief Of the fire department as to the
danger that would attend such course,
the council yesterday decided that the
inspection of the engines Of the fire de-
partment by the boiler Inspector must
proceed. The matter came up in the
form Of report from the board of fire
commissioners ON the subject included
In and as part Of which was the report
OF Chief Moore on the subject. 1t will
be remembered that the chief reported
that there was danger of running at
least two of the engines II the inspector
persisted in his determination to make
the tests. It was also pointed out that
there would perhaps be bills for repairs
amounting to about 400 for each engine.
and In event that an engine was found
deficient the cost Of making the proper
repairs would amount to $1,000 or more
There was not enough money In the FIRE
department fund to pay this expense.
and the matter was referred to the cnun-
cil to provide RELIEF, II being suggested
that the inspector wait until the new
engines, which win sooner Or later be
ppFchassd were received, 90 that there
could he ~ AnGtue lp reeerye,
M. Nnqlxell, IA Whosa WaYd are the
fVo oldc~} 4H4ine9 In tRe department.
The herald., 1898-01-18
Shall 3Curfewu Ringp

Unless the fire commission objects to
the use Of the city hall bell for curfew
purposes, it is probable that the report
of Councilman Mathuss, recommending
the enforcement of the curfew ordi-
nance and the ringing of the city hall
bell nine times at o'clock p. M, as
warning to children to get off the streets,
will be adopted. The report was pre-
sented to the council yesterday, and Mr..
Mathuss wanted 1t adopted Immediately.
He did not like it when some member
suggested that, as the city hall bell is a
part of the fire alarm system of the city,
the fire commission should be consulted
before the council ordered the ringing of
the bell. In spite of his objections, the
matter was referred to the commission
for the purpose of learning whether the
use of the bell contemplated in the re-
port would interfere with the fire de-
partment.
The herald., 1898-01-18
ORDINANCES ADOPTED
Several Pieces Of Street Work Ordered
by the Council

Accompanying the weekly report of
the city engineer to the council We're a
number of ordinances for street work.
All of them were adopted. They were:
To grade Cimarron and Arlington
streets between Adams and Washing
ton streets; also Lerdo and Juarez
streets between Ninth and Pico streets.
The following ordinances of intention
were also passed ON presentation by the
city engineer: To establish the grade of
Fourth street from Flower street to a
point 165 feet west of Hope street, to
establish grade of Lucas avenue from
Sixth to Fifth streets; to change and
establish grade of Center street from
First to Ducommun streets; also Turner
street from Vignes to a point $50 feet east
of Center street; to improve Altura
street from Eastlake avenue to Han
cock street; to grade First street be-
tween Olive street and Grand avenue;
to improve Anderson street from Aliso
street to the Clement tract; to improve
Grand View street from Eighth to Ninth
streets.
The herald., 1898-01-18
MUST SHOW CAUSE
Extensions Of Time on Contracts to Be
Stopped

At nearly every session of the city
council some street contractor makes
application for an extension of time in
which to complete his contract. There
is sometimes very good reason why this
application should be made, but It fire.
quently happens that the contractor has
neglected his work for some reason and
relies upon the council to grant an ex-
tension so that 1t may be completed at
his convenience, Numerous complaints
have been received on this account from
time to time from property owners and
yesterday the council gave warning that
hereafter extensions will not be so easy
to obtain as they have been.
The matter came UP on an application
Of O. L. MeCpmbs for thirty days ex-
tension on his contract for the i'm
provementof Georgia street. This con-
tract was awarded Nov 10 and the COM
tractor did not ask for his stakes until
Dec. 8. They were furnished nine days
later and since then little work has been
done ON the street, President Silver
wanted to know why more Of an effort
had not been made by the contractor.
"This Is a growing evil" said he, ''for
1t is nothing else than an evil and the
habit of some of these contractors to
apply for extension of time Is becoming
epidemic The people have some rights
in such matters and 1t Ia not right that
they should be made to wait weeks and
even months for some contractor to
complete his work when he might do SO
with ease If the proper effort was made.
I can understand the necessity for
granting the extension in some eases,
but am opposed to this promiscuous
granting of such extensions when no
good reason therefor can be given. The
contractors should be notified that the
council will refuse to grant any more
such concessions"
Mr.. Nickel spoke in opposition to the
habit. There was nnthing else to do in
this case, however, and the petition was
granted.
Upon recommendation of the street
superintendent an extension of thirty
days was granted Charles Stansbury for
the completion of the work on Second
street between Beaudry ana Fremont.
It was explained that the laying of .
storm drain by the city had prevented
the completion of this work,
Contractor MoCpmhs was also given
ten days more time on Fowne avenue
between Sixth and Seventh streets, This
work Is almost completed and the ex-
tansian was in order that the ASSESS
ments might be properly made within
the life of the contract.
The herald., 1898-01-18
WATER ooMPANY's REPLY
Expresses Desire for an Early Settle
ment With the CITY

In reply to the communication sent by
the water supply committee nearly
three weeks ago to the Los Angeles City
Water company asking that time be
appointed at which terms for the pur-
chase of the plant of the company by
the city could be discussed, the company
sent the following yesterday. 1t was
addressed to the water supply commit
tee of the city council and was received
just before the opening Of the morning
SESSION.
I'VE received your note of December
20, 1897, and have been desirous of MAX
ing reply thereto at the earliest moment
practicable.
1--WE have submitted to the attorneys
OF the water companies, who are here in
the city, the question of how to ap-
preach this matter in the event we can
agree upon prices. The legal difficult
ties of carrying that agreement into
effect are, as We are advised, quite con-
siderable, and 1t Is our desire, at the
same time that we negotiate with you
as to terms, to also negotiate with you
as to the mode of carrying our conclu-
sinns into effect should we come to con-
cluslons.
''One Of our attorneys Is absent, but
will return shortly, and, If agreeable to
your committee, we would like to have
you meet a representative or represen-
tatiyes to be appointed by the compan-
ies in a short time for the purpose of
considering those questions. Senator
White, one of our attorneys, will be in
the city some time about the middle Of
February, and We should like to have
matters in such shape as that he, in
connection with our attorneys here, may
determine on the legal proceedings to
bring matters between us to q eonclu-
sion,
Representatives will be appointed by
the boards of directors, and we shall in
form YOU at once of who they are and a
time can be arranged to get together and
discuss the plans of procedure, and
that It may be submitted to the attor-
neys for the respective parties for their
consideration as to its legal feasibility.
1--WE desire also, II we can agree upon
terms, to bring the matter to a oonelu-
sion at once, and to that end we are
working with our stockholders and en-
deavoring to get the consent of all of
them that will authorize US to carry the
transaction into erect as soon as the
proceedings necessary for that purpose
can be takeni and we have strong hopes
that in the course of the next five or
six weeks we shall have the consent Of
all Of them.
-. n, MOTT. Secretary"
Without discussion the communica-
ton was referred to the water supply
committee.
The herald., 1898-01-18

as subdivision. formerly called the Alfred
Moore tract, be sold at public auction.
I'VE recommend that the lowest limit
Of price at which said lots may be sold
may be as follows: Lot 8, $l25; lot IL,
5000; lot 54, $40; lots 1e and So, 500; lots
81, 2S and 20, SIS; lot AZ. $50; lots A, As
and 46. SIS.
1--WE recommend that the above lots
be sold as entire lots, according to the
new map Of said tract, and that the Pc
titioners for the sale of lots 16, "a and SIS
be required to adjust the boundaries OF
said lots to suit themselves, in case they
purchase said lots"
The herald., 1898-01-18

Main and Spring street Jobs. The bids
were as follows;
Alcatraz Paving company. Spring
street, 7M cents per square foota Main
street, ~ cents per square foot, and 2S
cents per lineal foot for the change of
curb between First and Fifth streets.
French q Reed, Spring street, 7.SS
cents per square foot; Main street, S.24
cents per square foot.
Reinschilds. Spring street, SIS cents
per square foot; Main street, SA cents
per square foot, and 26 cents per lineal
foot for curb.
Mr.. Nickel moved that the bids be re-
ferred to the hoard of public works to
report at the afternoon session If pos
sible.
After the noon recess one of the first
matters considered was the report of the
board of public works ON the matter. The
report was as follows:
In the matter of the paving of Spring
street from the southerly line Of Temple
street to the southerly line of Ninth
street, we recommend that the bid of the
Aleatraz Asphalt Paving company at
IN cents per square foot be accepted
ana the necessary resolution of award
adopted.
In the matter Of the curbing and re-
paving OF Main street from the north
line OF First street to the south line of
Ninth street, recommend that the bid of
the Alcatraz Asphalt Paving company
at ~ cents per lineal foot for curb and
~ cents per square foot for repaving
with asphalt wearing surface complete
pc accepted and the necessary resolu-
ton Of award adopted.
The resolutions of award accompanied
the report and We're at once adopted,
giving the Alcatraz company the con-
tract. The necessity for the laying of
water mains. new street car rails and
electric conduits at the same time as the
work on the street is done was discussed
by several of the members, and Mr.. Toll
presented the following resolution,
which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The contracts are about to
be executed for the resurfacing of Main
and Spring streets through the business
portion Of the city, and
Whereas, The laying of larger water
main, the replacing of street railway
tracks, the filling up of old cable con-
duits and the proposed immediate con-
structian Of a conduit for carrying wires
for the transmission of electrical energy
are each and all features of improve
ments which should precede the actual
work of resurfacing the above named
streets; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the urgent desire of
this council be communicated to the Los
Angeles Railway company regarding the
street railway tracks and cable conduit
on Spring streetj the Los Angeles City
Water company regarding larger water
mains on Spring street, and the San
Gabriel Power company regarding con-
struetion Of conduits on Spring and Main
streets, requesting Of these various COM
panies their hearty cooperation in
bringing about the contamination of the
improvements above contemplated pre-
vious to the time of commencement of
the work Of resurfacing.
The herald., 1898-01-18
MOTIONS ADOPTED
Measures Advanced By Members for
Their Own Wards

The following motions were submitted
by the respective members of the council
yesterday and adopted without division:
Mr.. Grider-That the street superin-
tendent be instructed to place bridge
across the zanja at the crossing of the
alley between Adams and Twenty-sev-
enth streets. Adopted,
Mr. Ashman-That the city engineer
make estimate of cost for grading, grav-
cling, cement eurbing and sdewalking,
five feet wide. and sewering on Santa
Fe avenue, from Seventh street to Will
low street. and IL same can be improved
under the bond provision of the Vrpe-
man act, to present ordinance of inten-
tion therefor. Adopted.
Mr.. Blanchard-That the city engineer
be instructed to establish the grade of
Centennial street, from Temple street
to court circle.
Mr.. Ashman-That the mayor be re-
quested to return without his signature
the ordinance regulating the storage of
hay, adopted January 10. Adopted.
Mr.. Nickell-That the superintendent
of streets be directed to notify the Los
Angeles and Pasadena Electric Railroad
company to grade and gravel that por-
tion of it's right of way that is not graded
and graveled on Pasadena avenue, north
of Pasadena-avenue bridge, and that
he also notify the Los Angeles Terminal
Railway company to place it's tracks
ON the official grade where they cross
Pasadena avenue. Adopted.
Mr.. Nickell-That the street superin-
tendent be directed to repair certain
designated crosswalks in the First ward.
Adopted.
MIR. Mathuss-That the street SUPER
intendent be instructed to put in cul-
vert across Union avenue on the north
side of Orange street. at once. Adopted.
Mr.. Blanchard-That the chief of po-
lice be instructed to sell the bath tub
and closet apparatus now in the back
yard of the city Jail, Adopted.
The herald., 1898-01-18
Main and Spring Streets to
be Resurfaced
ALcATRAz CAPTURES THE JOB
WATER COMPANIES REPLY TO
COUNCIL CoMMITTEE
Fire Engine Boilers to Be Inspected.
semi-Annual Report Of Tax
and License Collector

Much business Of Importance was
transacted at yesterdays regular session
of the city council, The two sessions
were brief. but the members put in all
the time In hard work. The most I'M
portant matter upon which action was
taken was the letting Of the contract
for repaving Spring and Main Streets
The Alcatraz Asphalt company captured
this job, their bid being much below that
Of any other bidder. The cost of this
improvement will be much less than
either the street superintendent or the
city engineer had expected. The petit
tion for the ework was signed by the prop
erty owners with the understanding that
the cost should not exceed cents per
square foot. The price at which the COM
pany mentioned agrees to do the work
is 7M cents per square foot, which will
amount of about $i.60 per front foot for
the property owners. The work will be
commenced as soon as possible,
The Los Angeles City Water company
sent reply to the water supply COM
mittee, in which It asserted Its desire for
an early and amicabie adjustment of the
terms upon which the city will secure the
ownership of the eompany's plant.
The council practically ordered the
boiler inspector to proceed with the in
spection Of the engines In the fire depart
ment In spite Of the objections of the fire
commission and the chief, which We're
based upon the possible erippling of the
department while the inspections are
being made.
According to the opinion Of the city
attorney the mortgage interests of the
University of Southern California are
not subject to taxation and the taxes
paid on them will have to be refunded by
the city.
Sauatters on city lands are to be given
an opportunity to purchase their hold
ings, the council having fixed the min
imum of price.
On the report of the fire commission as
e whether the fire bell In the city hall
can be used as a curfew bell depends the
fate Of Councilman Mathuss plan to
have that bell rung at Q p. m, each day
as warning to children to keep Off the
streets.
Street contractors who have been
making a habit of requesting extensions
of time in which to complete their con-
tracts were warned that the council had
almost reached the point of striking
patience from among the list Of virtues
and that in future there must be some
good reason for the application,
The herald., 1898-01-18
BELOW THa HsrIMATEs
Contracts Are Awarded for Repairing
Main and Spring Streets

Main and Spring streets, the former
from First to Ninth and the latter from
Temple to Ninth. are to be resurfaeed
ct q cost to the property owners greatly
below the estimates made BY either the
street superintendent or the city enein-
eer at the time that the matter was first
brought to the attention Of the council.
Bids for this werk were opened yaster-
day and immadiately referred to the
beard Of public works. That body con-
sidePed them during the noon Feoess ana
IN the afternoon made IT. report and the
resolution Of award to the lowest bidder
Was Adoptea, The work Will be begun
within two or three weeks.
NeaxI9 aveFy Iapge stFeet enptyaator
n TN ajty ma n ne lobby of the oounoiI
x6ot(p44 4y NaernlnE at Al CeloQA. M 1iFt4
& szss'ss { sss .s Y & .':e =. ~ y 20.
The herald., 1898-01-18
SALE OF CITY LANDS
East Side squAtters May Now Buy
Their Homes

a report Of great interest to the people
on the East Side who have been living on
city land without any title to their hold
Ings was made to the council yesterday
by the land committee. These people
will now be given an opportunity to buy
the land they pccnpy' The report fol-
lows;
I'VE recommend that TIE petitions oi
a. Wernett, r. I, n, Topja, g. Masat,
lFs. EllsA Apeth A. Florea Mn, 7, Calder
qps Frank 1feysr4 ma Qyaldo senQhar
7: =: :|s;''1 = ~. g Z. sss ~ n
The herald., 1898-01-18
Need More Engines

The board of fire commissioners sent
to the council a communication calling
attention to the fact that there are large
sections of the city which are wholly
without proper fire protection, and ask
ing that the council Immediately take
such steps as are required to furnish the
mueh-needed apparatus. The COM
munioation was not commented upon by
the members of the council and was re-
ferred to the committee on fire and
water
The herald., 1898-01-18
MotbersI fNotbersI r1otbersI

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup has been
used for over so years by millions Of moth
ers for their children while teething with
ems the gums ,allays all pain. cures wind
collie. and 10 the best remedy for Diarrhoea-
Sold by druggists In every part Of the
world. Be sure and ask for Mrs. Wins
lows Soothing Syrup" and take no other
kind. 25 cents a bottle.
The herald., 1898-01-18
-----------szyN -
Wha Aitch Case

At toaay's session Of the board of po-
lice commissioners it is expected that
action will be taken on the charges
which were preferred against Patrolman
Ritch by George Lem, the Chinese mer-
chant, and ON which Riteh was tried a
week ago today, Owing to the conflict
ing evidence before the board, it is ex-
peeted that the commission will acquit
Riteh, although one or more of the mem
hers will favor reprimanding him and
cautioning him to be more discreet in
future,
Wall naReF. late styles, low prices, at
4. A. Eakstrem's, ga Sauth Spring street
The herald., 1898-01-18
TAX COLLECTIONS
What the Report of Collector Gish
Will Show


Will Show
City Tax and License Collector Gish
will this morning file with the city clerk
his semi-annual report of the collec-
tions of taxes. Although the report
shows big delinquency 1t is not nearly
so large as In former years, this years S
collections having been better than was
expected, The summary Of the report
follows:
CREDITS
Tax on property, old city. 1896, SIS s:
Tax on mortgage interest, old city 63,87294
Tax on property, annexed district 33, IL:
Tsx on mortgage interest, an
nexed district ..................... s,14Ssl
Errors In assessment, etc.$ 454.69
Ten per cent penalty, first
payment ................... Soto54
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