The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-02-03
COUNCIL
SESSION. !
Several Important Matters Were Dis
cussed Last Night
nupHInLI pnnINp CInuImInN
CHEMICAL ENGINE SITUATION
A Committee Prom the Rescue Hook and
Ladder Company Makes a statement
Council to Hold a Special Session
Next Tuesday Night.


Next Tuesday Night.
regular meeting Of the Borough Council
was held last evening and was attended by
the following members Messrs Mcclure.
lally, Coakley, Boehm, Magargle, Shoe
maker, James, Bell, Straughu, Neisweuter,
Brennan, Englert Murphy and Harkins.
MIR. 1. +. Miles appeared in behalf Of the
Shenandoah Firemen's Association and asked
that certain bills contracted be paid. In
speaking of the Association Mr.. Miles said
the organization had proved Of excellent
service to the fire department in bringing all
the companies together ina spirit Of harmony
and promoting system in work at fires The
bills were referred to the Law committee
with instructions to report at the next meet
ing on their legality
Mr.. Murphy reported that Mrs. Rees
Thomas, nf West Coal street, and Mrs. James
Doyle, of West Line street, had asked to be
exonerated from payment Of taxes The
requests were referred to the Finance com
mittee.
The Finance Committee reported that the
hnal note of $4,000 issued to w. l.. Torbert,
in payment Of water works land, was about
to fall due. The proper officers of Council
we're instructed to meet the interest and re-
new the note for ninety days. The Law
committee was instructed to look after the
0orough's interest in the matter, Mr.. Bell
having reported that the Sheriff has levied
upon Mr.. Torbert's property This step was
taken to guard against any defect in the title
to property before the borough makes the
final payment.
Gfrougb,
Council by precipitating a step to reduce the
High Constable's salary. He said the bor-
ough is now paying the High Constable S35
per month and the Health Officer $40 per
month for practically the same work. He
said he believed 1t was no more than right
and just to the people as a whole that the
salary OF the High Constable be reduced
He moved that at the expiration of the
present incumbents term OF office the salary
of the High Constable be SIS per month.
The motion was heatedly discussed. Mr.
Englert was opposed to the reduction and
thought the better plan would be to compel
the High Constable to do his duty and with.
hold the salary when he fails to do so.
Mr.. Boehm said be favored the motion and
believed that at the next organization of
Council three policemen should be dropped
last Spring the reason giveu was that the
town would be better protected with seven
policemen On the other hand, he said. we
find the force of night watchmen increased
| to four.
Mr.. Brennan objected to the motion. He
said "As a Democrat, l differ with Mr..
Straughn. believe our salaried officers
| should be the same as in the past"
Mr. Gtramgbu rafrtad Z ba
the motion was political measure. He de-
clared that the motion was but one of several
measures he proposed to advance during the
present year, and that it was made in good
| faith, and for what he believed was for the
best interests of the borough at large.
Mr.. Lally thought the better plan would
be to abolish the office altogether. He was
opposed to fixing salary as low as SIS pei
month.
Mr.. Mcguire said he believed the motion
should prevail, but he did not think it went
far enough. He believed the office should be
abolished so far as the borough could do So
He said that, if the Chief Burgess and
Health Officer do their duty there would be
no necessity for High Constable, except as
required by law.
The motion was finally passed as presented
Mr.. NJ. G. Wurm appeared and asked that
some appropriation be made by Council to
help the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company,
He said the company had been compelled to
put its chemical apparatus and team out OF
service, because it did not have funds with
which to keep them in service. He said
several citizens had promised assistance, but
thus far none had been received. The gen.
eral belief was, he said, that Council should
give the assistance, and thus place the ex.
peuse on the people as a whole.
There was some discussion on the matter
during which Mr.. Boehm deprecated the fact
that all the responsibility in the matter
should be thrown upon the shoulders OF
Council and that not one property owner in
the town had responded to the appeal of the
company that appeared in TIE newspapers.
! None of the COuncilmen evinced disposi.
tion to oppose the application, except that
the majority wanted TO ascertain figures and
facts upon which to base an estimate of al.
lowance. In line with this Mr.. James moved
that the matter be referred to the Finance
committee, with view to ascertaining "a
what amount it will be necessary to increase
the Rescue company's appropriation, and that
special meeting be held next Tuesday
evening to receive and act on the report.
The motion prevailed.
The next question that arose was as to the
service of the apparatus pending the action
of Council and the company's committee in
attendance stated that the driver had been
laid off and the apparatus put out of service
until Council should decide whether il would
give assistance. They also stated that, under
resolution adopted by the company
its members we're prohibited from using
the apparatus pending such action
under a penalty of FIVE dollars After
considerable additional discussion motion
that Council pay the cost of keeping the
apparatus in service pending the action o.
Council next Tuesday night was defeated
and motion that the Secretary notify the
Rescue company of Councils action in tn,
matter, and that the Fire Apparatus commit
tee request the committee of the company
present to put the apparatus in service il
case of fire pending the action of COunci
next Tuesday evening was carried.
Mr.. Murphy said the floor of the Columbii
engine room was badly in need of repair, anC
that an entire new floor would probably b,
required. The Construction committee wa
instructed to make temporary repairs i
necessary and report at the meeting mex
Tuesday evening as to what permanent re
pairs are required, and the cost.
The water committee reported that a re
! aqsassmant of tha horough had haan ,,odo g