Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-22
ADVERSE REPORT.
Mr.. Mellen's Municipal Owner.
ship Bill Not Favored.
The Alderman Did Not Appear for the
Hearing Before the Committee on Man
ufactures- Remonstrants on Hand.
Special pispatch to the sny.l


milk cans. The result of the discussion
was the recommitment of the bill to the
committee on agriculture, but the de-
bate demonstrated one thing-that the
farmers of tine state do all they can to
send pure and wholesome milk to the
large consuming centres. If there is any
trouble with tine milk when it reaches
the consumer the farmers in the coun-
try were not blamed for it,
Representative Kenefck of Palmer
had the good behavior of the house in
his hands for the latter part of the ses-
sion. OF the various members that are
given opportunity to show their ability
as presiding officers, there are none
who excel the two members from the
western part of the state-Mr Kenefick
of Palmer and Mr.. Stone of Springfield.
Mr.. Mellen's bill for the municipal
ownership Of a gas and electric light
plant for Worcester, was adversely re-
ported on in the senate. This is the
second of the numerous matters intro
duced by Mr.. Mellen that has been un-
favorably reported on
The committee on ways and means
will shortly report the fire marshal s
appropriation bill to the Legislature, but
there has been a heavy cut in the
amount. The committee voted this
morning to cut the appropriation for
travelling and other expenses $780, also
to recommend the reduction of aids by
two and the abolition of the office of
chief Of the secret service These
changes reduce tine total appropriation
of the fire marshars department by
S4500 and the bill is likely to come in
today although it may not be sent in
before tomorrow
1t mas been alleged before the commit
tee that the receipts for the chief of the
secret Service have been signed by at
least three different men in the office,
and the committee Is of the opinion that
the duties Of this position should be per-
formed by the marshal himself or by his
deputy, Mr.. Steadfast
The committee on manufactures We're
to give hearing this morning on the
petition of James H. Mellen of Wofces-
ter, for legislation authorizing Worces-
ter to establish an electric light and
gas plant. Representative Mclaughlin
of Worcester was present to state to
the committee that he had sent no
tice of the hearing to Mr.. Mellen, but
that the latter was not present He
had heard that Mr.. Mellen wanted a
postponement of the hearing. Ex
Mayor Sprague of Worcester and
Messrs. Coughlin and Fairbank of the
Worcester Electric Light Company were
present as remonstrants, but no case
being presented by the petitioners they
offered no evidence. The hearing was
then closed.
John E. Sullivan of Worcester ap-
peared before the committee on judi
ciary in favor of the bill to increase
the ad damnum writs and processes
that may be served by constables to
$1,000, and to increase the bonds given
by them to $4,000 Mr.. Sullivan ap-
peared for the constables of Worcester.
IN THE HOUSE.
The committee on roads and bridges
reported the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Washburn of Worcester, pro-
viding for the payment of salaries and
office expenses of the highway commits
sion by general appropriation instead of
by the annual appropriation for state
roads.
Ought not to pass was reported by
the committee on cities, on the bill pro-
viding for the election of the superin-
tendent of streets of Taunton by popu-
lar vote. The committee on election
laws reported the bill providing for the
number of ballots go for every so voters
or fraction thereof to be furnished town
clerks for state and local elections
The committee on agriculture report
ed adversely on the petition for the es-
adjustment of peach yellow com
mission.
Mr.. Balcom of Marlboro presented the
petition of Louis P. Howe and others for
the Incorporation of the Lowell, Acton
and Marlboro Street Railway Company.
The petitioners want authority to allow
towns to subscribe for the stock of the
road, on vote of two-thirds of the citi-
zens in town meeting
The committee on public health re-
ported leave to withdraw on the peti-
tons for legislation for the establish
ment of board of house inspectors for
Boston; for the appointment of advisory
medical inspectors throughout the state
ana for the appointment of public phy-
sicians in cities of 25000 inhabitants.
MI, Hayes of Lowell made merry with
the Dill from the committee on agricul-
ture, providing legislation for the clean
condition of milk cans.
Mr.. Bennett of Saugus was called
upon to defend the measure, and told
pitiful story of the way in which the
producers milk cans were used after
they were received and emptied by the
retailers and consumers.
Mr.. Chandler of SomerVille opposed
the bill on the ground that the sections
providing for the washing of the cans
had been stricken out by the commit
tee. Mr.. Chandler said there was only
one thing to do with the bill, and that
was to strangle it.
Mr.. Dubuque of Fall River was ready
to vote for the bill when it was prop
erly amended
) Mr.. Parsons of Greenfield called the
attention of the house to the fact that
the milk producers removed from Bos-
ton were entirely at the mercy of the
milk contractors.
Mr.. Myers of Cambridge moved a re-
committal to the committee on agricul-
ture.
Mr.. Calendar of Boston, for the COM
mittee on public health favored refer
ence to the committee on agriculture,
believing that this committee could
draft a bill that would meet with the
approval of the house
The bill was then recommitted to the
committee on agriculture.
The DILL providing that substitute call
men of the Boston fire department shall
be placed on the eligible list for per-
manent appointment, after three years
service as call men, without civil SER
vice examination, provoked a brief dis
cussion.
1t was passed to be engrossed by a
viva Voce vote.
IN THE SENATE
Ought not to pass was reported on the
bill Of Representative Lyon of Boston
favoring the manufacture of gas by
cities and town for municipal purposes.
Ought to pass in new draft was re-
ported by the committee on fisheries and
game, on the bill of Senator Soule Of
Bristol, to provide steamer to replace
the Ocean Gem. The bill provides an
appropriation Of $35, 900 instead of
$4,000
Leave to withdraw was reported on
Senator Rourke's petition that Boston
may pay sum of money to the father
of James w. MeCabe; on petition of the