The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-06
TIME OF CONTRACT CHANGED.
HOUSE DRAINAGE To BE COM
PLETED IN THREE YEARS.

Council Believes the City Can Pay
Cash for the Work in That Time
without Extra Tax Levy-COmmit-
tee Authorized TO Draw Contract
to BE Entered Into with Miles &
Bradt-RnIIroad street Grant De-
ferred Pending Effort TO Get All
Parties observation-disclosures TO
Be nepaired at Once.
After lengthy discussion of the house
drainage work last night, the City Coun-
ell decided to have the contract drawn
for its completion in three, instead Of
four, sections. as heretofore agreed upon.
The house drainage committee was au-
thorized to draw the contract to be en-
tered into by the city with Miles & Bradt,
the successful bidders, and which will in
clude this change.
The discussion in open meeting was
brief, as the change had already been
talked over thoroughly in caucus Alder
man Owens introduced the resolution to
draw the contract on these terms. but
before it was put Alderman Thomas said
he was decidedly opposed to the change
for several reasons.
In the first place, do not believe the
city can thus divide the work and pay
cash for 1t without making an extra tax
levy" said Alderman Thomas. AT the
end of the present year the city treasury
will be empty. and there Will be no funds
with which to meet the amounts as they
fall due. I do not favor a tax levy and
feeling confident this will have to be made
II the work Is thus divided, / am decid-
edly opposed TO the resolution.
Another reason 1 wish 10 urge against
this change he continued, rs that 1t is
not advisable to dig up the streets be-
tween Nov. l and May /. The fact the
lanes north of Harris street are in filthy
condition makes it unsafe TO dig them up
later than April /, and If the sanitary
board takes the same view It viii not be
convenient to change the time, II the con-
tractors are required TO finish this work
IN three years"
Alderman Owens explained that most of
the work had been done in the section TO
which Alderman Thomas referred, and al
so stated the oldest physicians were of the
opinion the streets could be upturned until
May with safety. When the vote was
taken, however. Alderman Thomas stood
to his views, while the others of the
board voted for the resolution.
A majority of the aldermen seem to
think the city can pay for the work with
out inconvenience, and at the same time
have il done In three years. There are to
be improvements here soon, they assert,
and the earlier the city is gotten in per-
feet sanitary condition the better 1t is for
everybody. 1t is not desired to extend the
time any longer than can possibly be help
ed, and az the contractors expressed the
belief that shortening the time would be
| better, the aldermen did not disagree with
them. After the contract is drawn, it will
be submitted to Council for ratification
before any signatures are attached to Ii.
The ordinance giving the Central Rail
road a franchise through River street
came up, but there seemed to be no incli-
nation 10 dispose of 1t. There was an in
terruption while It was being read, but Al
deTman Davis moved that II be placed on
its passage. Alderman Charlton wanted it
held up, however. He said the street had
not been opened, and was not, therefore,
| in shape TO be disposed of by the city.
| He said he had had a con-
ference with the parties who favor and
| oppose the grant and thought there was a
favorable prospect of getting them to-
| gether. He insisted that action be de-
| ferred, and his motion to this effect was
| voted for by all except Alderman Davis.
BY resolution of Alderman Reid the COM
mittee on harbors and wharves are au-
thorlzed to advertise for bids for repair
! ing the wharves at the quarantine station.
! AS stated in the Morning News, the
| wharves are in a demolished condition as
a result of the late blow, and as 1t Is i'm
| possible to accommodate ships there for
! dlslnfection under the present conditions,
| 4 was decided to repair the damage AT
! once 1t is estimated the loss will foot
up in the neighborhood of 5000 The plans
| and specifications for the work will be
| furnished by City Engineer VIM.
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