The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-13

The session OF the west SIDE DOdfu
of trade last night was well attended
both by members and by non-members.
The interest, too, was more evident
than usual. Invitations, both special
and general, had been issued by the
board for the purpose of a conclusive
consideration of the viaduct question
and thereby, the arrival at at definite
conclusion upon the matter as con-
cerning the residents of West Scranton.
Naturally. this being the main fea
ture of the meeting routine business
was quickly disposed Of and the via
duct question in all it's various phases
taken up. TO facilitate matters, Presi-
dent Holmes suggested that each per-
son present offer his views or opinions
upon the matter and at the conclusion
an understanding would be gained and
the board could then put itself on rec
ord conclusively ala definitely. This
suggestion was carried out and each
person as called upon spoke.
City Engineer Phillips, Select and
Common Councilman Horatio n. Eel
lows and Joseph oliver, of the Fif-
teenth ward; Select Councilman r. II.
Williams, of the Fifth ward, and Com
mon Councilman c. f. Wenzel, of the
Fourteenth ward, We're Etesent, the ma
jority of them being also members of
the board; and they were given first
privilege to speak by the president
The other gentlemen followed in order
as called upon
During the course of the discussion
four distinct plans or methods of build
ing viaduct were brought up, name
ly: The one, to occupy the present
street from curb to curb; one which
should occupy the southerly side of the
street by an increase of 60 feet of it's
width; one, which should extend from
the eastern end of the West Lackawan-
ma avenue bridge across the river,
Central Railroad of New Jersey tracks,
Seventh street, Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western railroad tracks to Nealis
court, and thence to Ninth street for it's
terminus, and lastly. one to start from
Sixth street, along Schnell court, across
the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern tracks and Ninth street, to Chest
nut street
Each of the above mentioned meth
DDS had one or more advocates, who,
in the course of his remarks men,
toned the reasons for the use of that
method. The 'southerly side" Viaduct
was agreed upon as the most feasible.
n motion was made by Hon. John r.
talr that this method be the one which
meet with the entire approval of the
board and the motion was unanimously
passed.
The other matters considered by the
board were: The repairs of Luzerne
street below Ninth street This neces-
Sary business was brought up by T.
Fellows Mason, and it was referred to
the streets and bridges committee
This committee will endeavor to have
the councilmcn of the Fifth and Fiji
teenth wards eXpend a portion of the
appropriations for these wards upon
this needed repair. The repairs n: the
Mt, Pleasant ravine were also consid-
cred. a CulVert would be built below
the street line and a filling put in and
then the roadway and sidewalks could
be laid on a substantial foundation.
Nominations and election of officers
for the ensuing term were quickly
made. The board expressed it's con-
fidence in and appreciation of the old
officers by re-eleCting them for the sec
ond term. They are A. b. Holmes
president; Dr.. p. F. Struppler, vice
president; Joseph Oliver, secretary,and
William Farrell, treasurer, will serve
another term.
AT the conclusion of the session. a
committee Of three, comprising r. Eel
lows Mason, u. Elsinger and Hon. !
H. FaiT was appointed by the chair
upon a motion to that effect to con-
Slder the matter of purchase of a new
steamer for the Franklin Engine COM
pany and report at the next meeting.