The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-18
CITY GoyERNME MT.
The Work on the Lutheran Church
Tower will Go On,

Tower will Go On,
Alderman Mannix Brought by the CUES
tion of the Jefferson Theatre-Would
Vote to Close 1t If 1t Does Not Apply
for a License-some Animated Dis
cussion.
There was a special meeting Of the en-
tire city government yesterday afterno on.
In the mayor and board of aldermen the
city clerk was absent and Alderman Mer-
rill was chosen clerk pro tenn. Alder
men Sprsgue and Smith were alb sent.
Ths hearing on the remon STRANGE
against the erecting Of ninety foot tow.
or on the Lutheran church on Sher man
street was first taken up. Architect E..
d. Fassett was present with. plans of the
church which he exhibited to the alder
mon.
Samuel 81. Colesworthy, the principal
remonstrant against the erection of this
tower, said he objected to 1t on the ground
that the work was being done improperly
and because the ground was of such ma
ture that it would not support heavy
tower. ~
John A. Lidback.p who is chairman of
the committee innharge of the work was
called upon and said he visited the
church almost every day and was perfect
ly familiar with the work that was being
done on it. He did not think there would
be the slightest danger OF the church
tower falling. 81
Architect E. Il. 1Fassett said there was a
slight opening around the door sill less
than an eighth Of an inoh, due to the cor
ner stone. He considered he foundation
good and substantial and the building
perfectly safe.
The aldermen asked many questions
about the building of those present.
Mr.. Colesworthy took the floor and said
that he had erected four houses in the
neighborhood and knew something about
the subject. He knew that the land on
which the church is being built to be
soft and spongy and not suited to support
q heavy weight. The foundation Of the
building is not strong enough He ex-
planned just how the work is being done
and went into all the details.
Mr.. Fassett again addressed the board.
He said the foundation on Sherman
street was far heavier and stronger than
that under the Colesworthy block on
Exchange street. He said this building
was heavier than the church now build
ing and had less underpinning.
A lively passage at arms taen took place
between Mr.. Fassett and Mr.. Coleswor thy
which was brought to an end by the
mayor calling the gentlemen to order.
Rev. A. Aaron, pastor of the church,
said he visited the church every day and
did not think the erection of the tower
would make it unsafe. The land was not
made land but the foundation rested on
very firm earth.
Building inspector Ward said the
tower would be safe but he recommended
that an iron be put into the tower to
anchor it to the church.
After some further discussion it was
voted to allow the work on the church to
continue with the understanding that
such rod would be put in.
A petition received from George Libby,
justice of the peace, in relation to an in
sane case was disposed of by the board.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The Consolidated Electric Light COM
f1~ &tr v,01o1
various streets. The petition was ordered
on file and hearing ordered for Novem-
Der 1st.
Building permits were granted as fol-
lows, sub ject to the usual conditions:
Andrew Mack at IS Atlantic, G. NJ.
Benson at 70 Mellen, e. r. Hillm an on
Kennebec. street.
Lots were bargained as follows: 81
Payson street to Leonard D. Ward; 5
Roberts street to George W. Moulton, IA
Roberts street to s. a. Colesworthy.
Alderman Mannix said he would vote
at the next. meeting to close up the Jeffer-
son if that theatre did not tike out a
license and pay for 1t in accordance with
the city ordinance.
Alderman Rounds said he had paid his
license for Portland theatre and he would
vote to make the Jefferson do the same.
No application for license has been filed
as yet but it was stated that an applioa-
tion would be filed before the next meet
ing.
Alderman Rounds moved that if
license ba not filed bysTuesday evening at
& D. m. the city marshal be instructed to
close up the theatre.
No one seconded this motion.
Alderman Rounds-What are you afraid
of? would vote to close up the Boston
& Maine if they did not do what was
right towards the city. don't. believe
in one,lawyfor therich and another for
the poor. Why shouldn't this theatre pay
It was stated that the Gem theatre had
not paid for its license yet but the mayor
said they would be made to pay for it.
Alderman Rounds said it had come to
his knowledge within five hours that the
l. 49,