The Portland daily press., 1898-01-15

Alderman Cobb presented an order di-
recting that the committee on lights and
water be instructed to contract with the
Standish Water Company for the payment
of 81 per foot for the privilege OF laying
their pipes in the trench with5the sew
er pipes on Forest avenue from Pleasant
| to Maple streets.
This question caused lengthy discus
sion and it was found by referring back
on the records that this matter was set
tied a few months ago by leaving the
question of contract and settlement in
the hands of the sewer committee. AL
derman Cobb then withdrew the order.
| Alderman Cram presented claim of AL
| bert Cobb for damage sustained by horse
and team, caused by defect in Stevens
| Plains avenue. the result of improper care
| Of street when used by the Portland
Water company.
The claimant axis for s25. Referred.
Alderman Cram presented all order
directing that the sum OF $685. the amount
TO he received from Black stone & Smith,
for the old safe owned blythe city, be
transferred to the accounts of inciden-
tails. Passed.
The sensation ct the meeting developed
at this juncture. Alderman Cram asked
Mr.. Gowan OF the committee on public
buildings if the committee was to provide
1000 pound bell for the new High school
building. to be used for fire alarm pur-
| poses.
MIR. Gowan thought 1t couldn't be done
unless the plans were changed to provide
at a great expense stronger tower.
MIR. Cram supposed the plans had been
changed. He said the bell was5 needed
to notify members of fire department. liv-
ing at great distances Of fire. When the
plans were accepted it was understood
there was to be such bell.
Alderman Gowan said it would cost
81, $50 to support the bell and 81 900 for
tho bell itself. The city couldn't afford it.
Mr.. Cram thought the building should
n of have been built in the winter.
Alderman Lane sail there was none
too much time for 1.-The completion of the
building.
Alderman Aver complained that he
could not find any plans of the buildings
| He wanted to know what guarantee there
was that the building would not cost
more than $4,000.
| Alderman Aver introduced an order
providing that plans of the building and
contracts be placed on file with the city
clerk.
Alderman Cobb regarded the bell as
uEeless expense.
Alderman Cram was not pleased with
this suggestion and called attention to
the fact that $500 had been expended to
grade the lot in front of the building
before the building was completed.
| Alderman Gowan-'The committee de-
cided to fix the lot when it could be done
| the cheapest"
Alderman Matthews then stepped into
| the arena and asked Of the Mayor II the
public buildings committee had ever been
authorized to grade the lot. He thought
not. eff we are going to start aain on this
business of identifying the grounds, why
wouldn't it be good idea to send to
l.Australia or elsewhere and got some
shrubbery or something of that kind to
put on the grounds. 1t seems to me that
an unnecessary expense is being entered
into"
This proved hot shot for Alderman
Gowsn who suggested that it would be Il
good idea to put Alderman Matthews in
charge of the public buildings commit
| I,a
street work. With an appropriation of
s14, 600 the expenses had run up to nearly
$23, 600.
| Alderman Matthews said he had been
in favor Of stopping the work on the