The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-05

The resolution was introduced by Mr..
Chittenden. 1t refers the controllers
communication to the sewers and
drains committee with instructions to
draft an ordinance submitting to the
vote of the people the question of
bonding the city to the extent named.
Mr.. Fellows had another proposition
which looked TO the levyng of a special
tax to provide the funds in question,
but as there was a question, raised by
Mr. Sanderson, as to the court having
power to order such Il levy exceeding
as it would the city's constitutional
limit of Indebtedness it was referred
to City Solicitor Mckinley for an opin-
ion.
CONTROLLER CRITICIZED.
Mr.. Roche criticized the controller
for sending the communication to
councils after he had certified some
pf the contracts. Il understand" said
Mr. Roche" that he certified one Of
those contracts for a North End sewer
in which the city's share Of expense
was S1S, 900. and refused to certify one
in which the city was called upon to
pay only $500, saying that there was n
question as TO whether he wouldn't be
personally liable for certifying a con-
| tract for which the money had not
been actually appropriated"
Chairman Williams said something
about including the West Side Viaduct
| among the improvements to be pro-
vided for Mr.. Roche called his at
| tention to the fact that only such
measures We're to be included as had
| been directed by ordinance. Mr.. San
dersOn added that the people would
not vote for an omnibus measure. If
we COntine ourselves to the improve
me.nts projected, he said, the people
will favor the issue. He also thought
| it more advisable TO raise the koney
| by q bond issue which would distribute
| the burden over Il number of years,
| than to raise it by a special levy which
would inflct the tax upon the people
| all in one year
Action on the resolution appointing
| a special committee to deal with Dunn
| Bros withdrawal from the South Side
sewer contract, was deferred until
| next meeting on the strength of an an
nOuncement by Mr.. Roche, that nego-
| tiations are under way for the carry
| ing out of the contract.
| Mr. Sanderson introduced an Ordin-
ance approprating for asphalt repairs
the $l7,52O item which Mayor Bailey
scratched from the appropriation or
| dinance. 1t was referred to commit
tee with instructions to report it print
ed if it was reported faVorably. The
preamble Of the resolution has a clause
reading: And whereas, a doubt eX-
| lists as to the validity OF the mayors
veto" and then goes on to say that to
| make assurance doubly sure, it is best
to re-appropriate the item.
| Mr.. Melvin, chairman of the special
committee appointed to consider the
| recommendations contained in City
| Engineer Phillips annual message,
| submitted a lengthy report, dealing
| mainly with the asphalt repairs and
| the viewer" robbery. The report
considers the Barber contract IAN ad-
| vantageous proposition and character
| izes Mayor Bailey's action in vetoing
| the asphalt repair contract as mis-
| judged zeal" Approval is given the
! engineers idea of paved cutters ben.g g
| preferable to curb as an accompani-
ment to flag sidewalks on unpaved
streets. and applauds him for securing
the laying OF better street car tracks
| ENORMOUS INCREASE IN COST.
The statement OF the engineer that the
| cost of making views on sewers and
| like improvements has grown - IN SO
cents to sl4.20 per lot is cited, and
| his suggestion that viewers he p
| pointed from the engineer cCros as
heartily approved as was also his
| idea of permanent inspectors.
| Later a resolution was passed for The
| appointment of a special committee TO
| join with the city engineer and city
solicitor in ascertaining from court
whether or not it could be arranged 10
| have all viewers selected hereafter
| from the city engineers corps, the
| understanding being that they are to
| do the work without cOmpensa tior
other than their regular salary. They
| can do the work, it is estimatAi, IN
about one-tenth of the time rel Iired
by laymen.
Mr.. Ross said he favored this :dea
A sewer in his end of'the city which
cost $4,000, he said. was viewed at a
cost of $500.
The communication from Controller
Howell suggesting a transfer Of $1,50l
| he u,