The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

I the work accomplished thus far. Aside
from the ordinary routine called for in
connection with the various depart
ments of a city of this size, the present
city council has participated in some
important transactions. 1t Will also
witness the final settlement of the
Kettle brook water cases, which have
hung over the city for the past four
years. This matter and the grade
crossing problem have been the ques-
tions of principal magnitude that have
presented themselves to this year,
government
The grade crossing matter was intro
duced to the city council at it's first
meeting, on Jan. 2, and since that time
has been almost constantly before
them in one way or another. First
came the report Of the Reed commits
sion. then the appointment Of an ex-
pet commission of engineers by the
mayor to consider the matter While
this commission was preparing it's re-
port, a number of men, who have seen
fit to characterize themselves the citi-
zens' committee and who have ex-
pressed themselves as unalterably OPP
posed to elevated tracks, came into the
field, hired an engineer and prepared
plans to show that depressed tracks
are feasible
On April the expert commission
made its report in favor Of the plan
for the elevation of the tracks. The
report was ordered printed, and for a
time the question seemed to drop out
Of sight.
At least nothing was heard of the
matter until recently, when rumor
went forth that an order was to be
introduced calling for legislation on
the matter. The depressed track fac
ton, through r. c. Taylor Immediately
presented a petition asking for hear
ing on their plans, but when the time
came for this hearing, the opportunity
was not taken advantage of.
The matter is still before the city
council. An order introduced at the
last meeting by Alderman Wall. au-
thoriZing the mayor to petition the
legislature for an act permitting the
city to go ahead with the work accord
ing TO the plans of the expert commits
sion, was laid over for one week, but
will probably be taken up tomorrow
night.
The city council of 1899 has also dealt
with a question with which few of its
predecessors have come in cOntact-the
matters incident to the recent war with
Spain. The question OF aiding families
and those dependent on those who
went out to aid their country, was
brought to the minds Of the city fathers
city or town in the country ha$ done
more to assist its soldiers and their
families than Worcester.
The day labor question has again
arisen TO confront the present council
and after the usual amount Of argu-
ment Cor and against. is laid on the
table IN the board of aldermen. where
it will remain IL certain members OF
the beard know anything about it, and
they claim thew do.
The city hall clock too. has proved
another popular theme not only with
the city fathers. but the public in gen
eral. who are DESTROYS Of having the
dials illuminated. Plans innumerable
have been presented and discussed, but
at present the question seems no nearer
solution than ever. The public build
ing committee has the matter under
Amusement ,Snd. IL is understood, viii
report inexHsdient 10 act.
Prominent in the way Of improve
ment is the proposed new system for
heat. light and ventilation at the City
Hospital, for which the city has ap-