The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-12
Democrats Placed a Lot OF Confidence
10 His Figures.
HIS ESTIMATES WERE THE BASIS
An 1893 Appropriation Ordinance
Drafted by Him Was Accepted by
the Joint Estimates Committee.-t
Was Cut Down over $4,000 Net;
from an Original Total of $685.
900, the Same as the Available
Reven ue.

10 De dSlue ana the consequence
was an energetic session of three hours
in which time the draft of an ordinance
presented by Mr.. Thomas was cut
down to S9,692 below the estimated rev.
enue of s295,10O. Mr.. Thomas ordi-
nance originally provided for an expen-
diture of 1926, ,027.23.
Colonel +. l.. Hitchcock and Il. s.
Williams of the streets and highways
committee of the board of trade were
present and submitted a typewriter
communication in reference to the re-
surfacing of Lackawanna and WASH
inSton avenues. The communication
was supplemented by an address by
each of the board representatives. Fol-
lowing was the communication which
was read by Colonel Hitchcock:
The committee appointed by the Scran-
ton board of trade to examine Lacka-
wanna and Washington avenues, and as
certain what portion thereof needs resur-
facing, and bring the matter to your at
tention respectfully submit the following
for your consideration, viz: Lackawanna
avenue from Washington avenue to the
bridge was most of it paved in 1886.
Washington avenue, from Lackawanna
to Gibson, was paved the same year.
These streets, with Franklin avenue,
first asphalt pavements laid in our city.
This was the beginning of the paving EN-
terprise which has done so much for our
city during the past decade. These pave
ments are now twelve years old. Be
tween the points named on both avenues,
there are, taking out the street railway
tracks, upwards of 26,0O0 square yards of
pavement.
THE COST FOR REPAIRS.
During the first five years there
were no cost of repairs, that period
being covered by the contractors guar
antee. During the next two years the
city paid six cents per square yard or
about Sl,500 per year. During the next
four years the cost was five cents per
square yard or about 81, 300 per year. The
cCst of repairs on these streets for 1884,
We have not ascertained, but we believe
il was done by the square yard of actual
repairing. If the cost in 1897 was as great
as in the four preceding years. the total
cost to the city for these splendid streets,
the main business thoroughfares of our
busy city, has been $500. 1t will be re-
membered that the property owners on
these streets paid for the pavement orig
nally. Therefore the cost to the city has
been for maintenance alone. Surely this
is not a heavy outlay considering what
these pavements have done for the city.
These pavements are now in a danger
Gus condition. and rapidly growing worse
The cushion is practically gone and In
many places the depth of the holes show
that the concrete has been attacked. In
very short time unless prompt atten-
tion is given them, the whole pavement
will be ruined and the streets will be i'm
passible. There is now danger to horse
and vehicle in driving over them, es-
pecially in the night This condition of
things mean possible damage suits
against the city. We have made a careful
examination of these pavements, in con-
nection with the city engineer and find
that there is but one way to save them,
viz, resurface both streets with the pos
sible exception of 1000 yards. This will
make about 1000 square yards to resur-
face. We understand this can now be
done with ten-year guarantee for 81 per
square yard.
If this can be accomplished before
further damage is done, the pave
ments will be better than when first laid.
Plumbing, ditching, gas and water main
ditching, steam heat and telephone con-
duit ditchng all being done, the new
surface would have a chance to live and
having now prospect OF some little care
should he good for twenty years at least.
We believe this will be a matter of de-
cided economy to the city. 1t will relieve
the city of all expense for repairs for ten
years, which at the figures paid for the
past five years would amount to $4,000
or more than half the cost of resurfacing.
The pavement being required to be in
perfect condition at the end of the ten
years guarantee, should require very lit
tie expense for the next five years. So
that the actual out-go in the end would
be no greater than the ordinary cost of
maintenance.
DIR. PAINE HEARD.
DIR. w. f. Paine, president of the
board of health, addressed the commit
tee on the needs of the health depart
ment and made a special plea that the
appropriations include at least $500 for
repairing the crematory which last
year consumed 10000 barrels OF gar
bage and 100 dead animals and was
now in no condition to be operated.
II. +. Paine, president of the Provi-
dence and Abingdon Turnpike COM
pany, made a plea that the committee
provide for repairs of West Market
street.
All sorts of motions and suggestions
upon the method of going over the old
ordinances were being proposed when
Mr.. Thomas made a ringing speach
urging immediate action of some kind.
He for one was willing to put aside
any personal axe and would agree to
oppose counter action by any member.
He said he had drafted a skeleton or
dinance, the provisions of which fell
below the $295, 100 revenue, but would
not offer it unless with the unanimous
wish of the committee.
His ordinance was not a Republican
nor other factional measure: it favored
no department and no individual, but
he was unwilling to present 1T unless
the members would agree TO consider
il on non-partisan grounds. This
agreement was made and Mr.. Thomas
presented the ordinance. During the
subsequent proceedings there was no
spirit of partisanship. In all the ris-
ing votes the Democratic ana Republi-
can members voted promiscuously.
The Thomas ordinance was read and
found to be counterpart of the 1897
measure, excepting items unnecessary
to provide for in 1898 and with a few
and necessary items added and others
slightly Increased. The amount by
which He ordinance was reduced,
$0,692, lEft it very nearly the same in
total ais the 1897 measure.
WHERE CUTS WERE MADE.
The treasurer's department was re-
duced by striking out an appropria-
tion of $1,500 for three clerks. The
controller was given an additional $500
for clerk hire, and $75 was taken from
the incidental account. From the city
building and grounds account an item
{ $1,000 for renovating the first floor
was eXpunged.
big slash was made in the street
commissioners department. Last year