The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-22

such as the construction Of sewers, re-
surfacing Of asphalt pavements, opening
of streets, building bridges, viaducts, en-
| gine houses, etc. many of those improve
| ments are very much needed at once
such as the Providence South Side Belle
vue and Patagonia sewers, without an
increase of the public debt. Should you
decide on submitting this question TO a
vote of the people, provisions should be
made for sewers in the Twentieth and the
north portion of the Fourth wards; also
| for safer and more pleasant road or
| approach to the central city, for the bene-
| fit of the people of the North End and tho
surrounding territory, than the present
unpleasant muddy road through the Dia-
mond Flats with its three railroad cross
ings, one OF which is very dangerous. as
well as the narrow and contracted Car
| bon street west of Penn avenue.
| This street, or road, from Penn ave-
| nue. to Court street, is undoubtedly a dis
grace to this city. The opening or ex-
| tension, of Ash street from Capouse ave-
nue. to the intersection of Providence road
| and Diamond avenue, has been suggested.
The approximate estimate of three
bridges, one over the Delaware and Hud-
| son railroad one over the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western railroad (Green
| Ridge branch) and he Lackawanna river
and one over the Ontario and Western
| railroad, with the necessary masona:y
and filing required on this route would
| cost about $4,000 without the right of
way.
Another route suggested is from the in
| tersection of Monsey avenue and Wal
nut street by bridge over the Delaware
and Hudson railroad, across the Man
| vile mines culm dump to the present sur
| face at the intersection of Nay Aug and
| Won Storch avenues on the Green Ridge
nj If ba maj
| avenues to Green Ridge street and on
| Green Ridge street to North Main ave-
nue.. On this route there would be but
one grade crossing, that over the Della
| ware, Lackawanna and Western railroad
| (Green Ridge branch), on which but one
or two trains pass daily. The approximate
| estimate for this improvement is 81, 700
| without the right Of way. The land re-
quired for this route is not one-fourth as
| much In extent, neither is it as valuable
| as that on the projected Ash street route.
Inquiries are made almost daily by city
| officials, councilmen and citizens, whether
| a certain street or road is city property
or directly in city care, and am unable
| to answer. Hence 1t Is time that steps
were taken to act on a suggestion made
| in n previous report and which / will re-
| peat here "That the city solicitor, in
conjunction with the city engineer, be
authorized and instructed to ascertain
and properly mark on the city map all
streets actually in possession of the city
| either by deed, usage or otherwise" This
would be an effectual method of prevent
ing the city from blindly placing electric
| lights, water plugs or making repairs on
streets not legally in its possession, and
virtually accepting the same by reason
of such improvements.
FORM OF RAILS.
In the fore part of the year the question
of changing the style, or form, of rail to
be used on paved streets was before the
councils, but no definite action was taken.
| inasmuch as there are good prospects for
the paving of part of Providence road,
North Main avenue, CapOuse avenue,
Green Ridge street and Sanderson avenue
this summer, 1t would be advisable for
councils to take up this question again
ard settle II in time. The Traction COM
pany would then have opportunity to or
der material as required and prevent de-
lays. On May the 9Th, 1897, / sent re-
port to your honorable bodies, with my
views and opinion as to the use of fiat
top girder or "T' rails I am still of the
same opinion that with proper foundation
and track construction the "T'' rail is the
best of the two, but the groove rail would
yet be preferable.
In conclusion, 1 desire to extend my
sincere and heartfelt thanks to the men,
bers of both branches of councils. his
honor, the mayor, and the various city
officials for the courtesies extended me
during the year. and ] hope that the
same friendly relations will continue dur
ing the year just commenced. My thanks
are also extended to the different mem
bers of the department for the aid given
me by them in carrying out the wishes OF
councils Very respectfully submitted,
Joseph 7. Phillips,
City Engineer.