The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-18
AID. KENNY WANTS TO KNOW
HE SUSPECTS THAT POLICE ALARM
sUPT. KING is INCOMPETENT

He Asked the Council TO Investi-
gate, but the Motion TO SO In
quIre Was Lost on Tie Vote
of the Board of Aldermen.
Supt. King, OF the police alarm sys-
tenn, had his competency for the posi-
ton he now holds questioned at the
meeting of the board Of aldermen last
night.
The matter came up when Mr.. King
wanted the council TO call at the cen
trail police station and inspect a new
police alarm system which had been
set up by the same company which fur
nished the new system 10 the fire de-
psrtment.
In extending the invitation. Mr. King
explained that the present system was
thirteen years old, and while II had
proved success up 10 two years ago,
the operation OF the street cars by pow
er from Minneapolis had damaged the
system. and IL was now worn out and
defective.
Aid. Sanborn moved that the invita-
ton OF Supt. King be received and
filed. Aid. Kenny moved that COM
mittee be appointed to investigate the
system now in use. and also the COM
potency Of the superintendent in charge
OF the same
The man is entirely incompetent"
said the Third ward alderman. He
had not been in the position three
months before he was before the coun-
ell insisting that a new system be put
In. He is now about the city looking
for jobs 10 wire buildings, and that is
about as much as he knows about the
business He would make q good
wlrer and that Is all. The other par
ties engaged in business in the city are
finding fault with an employe paid by
the city taking work from those in the
business. Last spring Mr., King came
TO me just before election and informed
me that IL | did not put up my hand
and swear 10 support him for the po-
sition he now holds he would go into
the Third ward and defeat me the
same as he had defeated StutZman in
the Second ward. Any man who is
competent for the position would not
insist on having people vote for him
on any proposition"
Aid. Sanborn informed the members
that the conference committee had au-
thorized the mayor 10 appoint a COM
mittee 20 investigate the police alarm
system. and that it would be advis-
able TO await until this committee had
reported.
Aid Murphy thought the aldermen
could easily investigate as 10 Supt.
Kings competency. He had been in
formed by the gentlemen who had
charge OF the system previous 10 Mr.
King taking charge that a very small
outlay would put the present system in
good order.
The motion to receive and file the
invitation from Mr.. King was carried,
and then vote taken on the motion
OF Aid. Kenny to have a committee Of
four appointed to investigate the pres
ent system and the competency OF the
superintendent.
The motion was lost by tie vote.
those favoring the investigation being
AIDS. Kenny. Bantz, Murphy, Blom-
quist and Allard. and those opposed
AID. Bell, Knauft. Reeves. Sanborn and
Shepard. President Donahower was
absent.
The assembly met on the adjourn
ment OF the board and took up the
lighting specifications.
Assemblyman Craig insisted on the
clerk reading each OF the specifications.
but IN order 10 save time and the
clerks voice and temper, Mr.. Albrecht
explained the nature of the specihca-
tons for the benefit OF Nr. Craig. In
the explanation MI. Albrccht said that
the c. uncil was unwarranted in in
creasirg the expenditure for street
lighting next year.
We have many expenses 70 meet in
the next year or SO. he said. and the
Increase in the taxes There IS to be
about 500 coo expended in new school
buildings. We also have the market
house problem on cur hands. y new
police alarm system Is a neCessi ~.
Then there IS the acquiring OF Phalen
park. which VIII probably have 10 be
paid for by the city NJ large. In ad-
GitiOn TO these. there is n library pro-
position and the special assessments
for street paving and sidewalks. The
streets are in a very bad condition and
will have TO be paved. In the face OF
these facts. We are not warranted in
increasing the lighting expenses one
penny for next year.
On the vote 10 approve the specifica-
items for electric lighting SIX OF the
eight assemblymea present voted for
them. those opposing being Messrs.
AlbTecht and Denny.
A provision in the gas lighting spec
ficstions provided that the number of
gas lamps should not be less than
Zoo. and In case any Of this number
was displaced by the location OF arc
lights the lamps should be relocated at
other points, the city TO pay for the
removals.
Assemblyman Albrecht wanted this
clause stricken from The specifications.
The effect" said Mr.. Albrecht is
that by relocating the gas lamps dis
placed by electric lights. you do away
With a gasoline lamp which costs SS.S4
per year and put In a gas lamp which
costs SIS, and 81 additional 10 remove
f."
Assemblyman Thompson said that
for fear however, that the knocking
out OF the CLAUSE would Increase the
cost OF electric lights he would have
70 vote against the proposition.
The other members all voted against
tia elimination OF the clause with the
exception OF Mr.. Albrecht.
The specifications were then APPROX
ed and bids ordered.
Auction Sale OF Unclaimed baggage.
The 500 Line sale Of unclaimed baggage
will take place Saturday, Nov. Is beginning
81 30 a m. az Hubert Bown's Auction Rooms
u and s South Seventh street. Minneapolis