Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-18
COMMITTEE Is GIVEN POWER
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE VESTED
WITH FULL AUTHORITY.
Upper House Proposes 1t Shall he
Able to summon Witnesses md
Compel Answers-Other Do
inSs of the

The upper house of the council last night
adopted a resolution confirming Its re-
cent action in ordering an investigation in
10 the charges made against Messrs. George
]. Baer and George W. Ioumans. of the
board of public works, ana also an or
dinance prescribing rules and regulations
for the government OF such Investigations.
The latter empower the mayor or the
chairman of the committee to summon wit
nesses, enforce their attendance. and
compel them to testify. The rules, in short,
grant such committees the same powers
now enjoyed by the police commissioners in
the matter of Investigations and the ad-
ministration of oaths. 1t was thought
reason that some doubt existed over
the power of Il council committee
to take such action under the existing or
%dinarce. The measure adopted is SUI
cation of any city official that may be had.
BY its terms the reports of conclusions
ell and the latter body is TO, if the same
warrant II, certify the same to the mayor
or other official having the power of
removal.
The lower house ordinances ordering the
paving as a business street of the South
west boulevard from Main street TO the
state line were referred to the PUBLIC i'm
provements committee. Messrs. w. J.
Smith, Albert Marty, ]. C. Ford, c. ].
Hubbard. George +. Winter and other
property owners interested were present
and stated that they desired to be heard
before definite action was taken. 1t was
represented that property owners in that
section were still paying for a former paw
ing OF the same street over Il year ago.
The judiciary committee submitted a IA
vorable report upon the ordinance of Alder
mar Wyne, asking for the submission of
quallhed voters Of the city at the April
election providing for home rule In the po-
Ice department. AT the request of Mr..
Brown action was deferred. however, to
the next meeting for the reason ne stated
that he desired to offer an additional char
ter amendment for adoption at the same
time requiring all parties bringing damage
suits for personal injuries against the city
to file the same within three months from
the date Of injury.
An ordinance was passed giving. Treas
Westport tax bills. Mr.. Morgan bitterly
OF opposed the measure; y just won't yots,
then this clerk is not needed. Why. in a pa
per this very evening is a statement from
Mr.. Green that his work is up and that he
Is going to run for mayor
Some Westport tax bills came up and an
enort was made to pass them, but at the
urgent request of Mr.. Morgan they We're
recommitted for further investigation by
the committee. The finance committee had
iavorably reported an ordinance authoriz-
ing the employment of a ~janitor for the
public building at Westport at a salary of
$40 per month. Mr.. Brown urged that
there was no one to care for the structure
and that while the city had owned it since
December 2 last it was practically unpro-
tected.
Offices yelled MI. Morgan excitedly, Ego
out there and board the thing up."
You go out there and attempt to board
up that building" said Mr.. Morrison. with
That is a magnificent building and it should
be cared for by the city"
Discussion developed the fact tina it was
now being used as a fire and police station,
and after considerable discussion the meas
ure was recommitted to the committee.
with instructions to ascertain If some of
the city employees there could not care for
the structure.
In the Lower House.
me lower house passed an ordinance
granting Swift & Co., of the Kansas City
Suburban Belt railway. the right to erect a
and Grand venue The semi-monthly pay
roll was passed, as was the upper house
resolution and ordinance relative to the
Investigation of charges against city off,
passed by. the upper house at its, last meet
ing was also passed, and it now goes to the
mayor for signature. 1t will supersede all
gas regulations now existing. with the ex-
port of the ordinance revision committee
just adopted. in gas matters.
The proposition to establish a light at
Eighth and Indiana called forth an address
on the body that no money was on hand
with which to meet the expense. and, fur
Their. that the city was now some s.. 200 in
that must be paid. The ordinance was
passed. however. The Upper house had pre-
v:ously passed the same, and the light will
be established. Both houses of the council
accepted invitations to be present at Ly-
ceum hall at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the
Nicaragua convention. Considerable rou-
tine business was also transacted.