The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-05

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increase The section of the city where
the most valuable property is located is
but insufficlently patroled by "A meager
and Inadequate number of officers spe-
cial officers, paid by individual property
holders, are made u necessity by these
conditions. BY far the greatest danger to
life and property however. by reason of
insufficient police protection, exists in the
suburban wards Of the city. There the
patrol beats are necessarily of great ex-
tent and crimes of every character are
made possible by our failure TO provide
proper protection. Another danger which
arises from our neglect in this respect Is
that which nightly threatens the officers
themselves who are compelled to patrol
large areas of lonesome territory lar
from the possibility of aid from their
brother officers That we have not, ere
this, been called upon to deplore and
make provision for the death of an Off
Ger whose end was traceable to our fail
ure to provide him the aid which every
other American city affords its policemen
is indeed a matter for wonder and for
self-grntulation. II is criminal folly and
criminal negligence for us to longer de-
lay the remedying of this state of things.
And, In come ctiun with this subject, let
me further call to your attention tho
fact that, no matter how long, how faith
fully or how braVely an officer has served
the city or Scranton his only reward and
recognition is the seventy-five dollars
which he receives each month. For this
he is expected to risk his life and endure
exposure to the elements and various
other hardships. 1t is a tribute to the
zeal and the fidelity of our policemen
that they have done so much for such
scant recognition. Other cities have seen
fit to establish system of pensions and
rewards for long and faithful services
and we could do no better than to follow
SO good an example.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
1t afforded me great and particular
pleasure to sign the ordinance providing
for an increase in the pay of permanent
men who work twenty-four hours in eY-
cry day at the several engine and hose
houses. It would afford me even greater
pleasure to sign an ordinance making the
fire department of the city of Scranton
an entirely paid organization. In this
connection, ] would propose an improve
mcnt in the service of the fire depart
ment which II is in your power to make.
At present six assistant chief engineers
are provided for at an annual cost to the
city of 5000. These men. for the pittance
which each receives, cannot and are not
/ expected to give much If any time to the
work of the department. | would suggest
thai instead of six assistant chief engi-
neers, one assistant be named and that
in consideration of a slight increase over
the combined salaries of the six, he be re-
( uuired to devote his entire time to the
service of the department. The wisdom
of such change is apparent. What |
have said pertaining to a proper rccog-
milton of policemen's services applies with
equal force to the services of Scranton's $
gallant firemen. l congratulate Chief
/ Hickey and his men upon the excellent
work done by them during the past year
and bespeak for them your consideration.
THE CITY'S STREETS.
| Vigorous and timely has been the dis
| cusson aroused by the condition of the
| asphalt pavement on Lackawanna ave-
| nue. and Washington avenue. 1t is evil
dent that re-surfacing is the only practi-
! cal and permanent remedy. Amy repairs
which are of the nature of patchwork
.tin n hn NJ raI
and unsatisfactory Charcter. In my judg-
cment the only solution is new asphalt.
AS the cost of this work falls upon the
city it becomes necessary to look about
for the requisite revenue. The ordinary
income of the city, of course. Inadequate
to meet this demand and the bond ordi-
nance, to which l have heretofore re.
ferred, is the only apparent way out of
the difficulty. While we are considering
street repairs it is becoming that we
should also pay attention to the pressing
needs of the outlying wards. Some of the
city's most travelled thoroughfares are
disgraces to our spirit of cleanliness and
thrift. Sections of them are dust heaps
in dry weather and veritable quagmlres
during rainy seasons. MaCadamiznS
these streets should also be con-
sidered In framing the proposed bond or
dinance. Councils have done well in tax
! ing the necessary preliminary steps for
the opening of Wyoming avenue. i trust
that nothing will occur to check this need
ed Improvement.
THE NECESSITY FOR SEWERS.
The most necessary requisite for the
health of a city is a weli-planned and
| wel-Constructed sewer system. 1t should
| be system which would embrace every
poulated section of the city. Scranton S
| need in this respect, is only too apparent
| 1t is true that We are compelled, as a city,
| TO assume the cost to large extent, OF
| these sewers but this fact does not maze
| the need for their construction the less
| urgent. nor does 1t lessen our responsible
| ity. Means should be found, and that
| right speedily. to provide for the city's
| proper and sufficient sanitation. | would
in this connection, renew the recommen-
dation made in my January message fol-
a system of garbage carts for the purpose
! of conveying Offal from all sections of the
city to the citys crematory.
THE CITY's PARKS.
1t has been the general experience OF
municipalities that nothing produces more
! marked returns in the way OF happiness
| than Judicious investment i'll public
parks. Scranton's experience in this re.
| spect is rather limited as yet and it re-
! mains with you to say whether or not the
limitation shall continue. well-ar'
ranged wel-kept, well-regulatcd ark is
place of recreation where every one
poor and rich. young ana old, may find
health and rest, 1t is the summer resort
of the invalid who, because of unSind cir.
cumstances cannot leave the city, 1t is
the fresh and invgoratnS country unC
the cool and health-giVing mountain fol
the poor children FROM the congesred sec
tions of the central city. Vt should ht
equipped and beautified with all the ac'
cessories which go to make up a beau:j,
tul, convenient, delightful place for the
amusement, recreation and health OF oul
citizens. 1t is unnecessary for me at rt!s
| tins to suggest 10 NUu what these aCCes
series hould he. That is a matter Whicf
will De well cared for by the efficient
board of park commlaSol1rs when The
revenues therefor have been provided tS
you. 1t is all in fact a question Of rev
enuc, and | again recommend to you the
consideration of the need for well
equipped public park when he PROPOSED
bond ordinance Is being framed. Iu luN
judgment II IS we'll to fit mp Nay Aus
park properly before taking up the small
er ana outlying parks this upon the we'll
grounded principle that it is better to uer
feet one work than to leave several works
hat done.
REPAIR THE CITY HALL.
/ understand that ii was only lack Of
revenue which deferred councils from
providing for the tiling, frescoing and tht
is Il matter which more nearly cnncei NJ
our municipal pride than any other. II
my last message, l mentioned the matter
at some length. The need for the repair.
is before your eyes and it is also befOr,
the eyes of every visitor to Scranton wh,
includes the City Hall in his round of sigh
seeing. ! trust that the mere reiterat tiOI
of my former request will prove to be al
that is necessary TO bring about this i'm
proVement,
REGULATE BICYCLE RIDING.
The astounding increase in the number
of bicycle riders has created a new cOndi
ton which you are called upon to NEE
by the framing of suitable ordinance
BY a suitable ordinance. | mean on,
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