The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-03

need repairing this year.
These small wooden culverts I expect
to replace with iron pipe or stone, as
the life of wooden culverts is only two
years at most, and where iron pipe Is
used, or n paved gutter as the case may
REQUIRE, they will last a decade.
The sewer basins of the city, In my
mind, have not received the necessary
amount of care, owing TO the inadequate
appropriation made each year for the
closing Of the same, as a large part OF
the sewers are built wholly or partially
upon unpaved streets, and after every
heavy rain storm the basins are filled
with sand and other refuse that may
have accumulated upon the said streets,
thus necessitating double the amount of
cleaning required by those which are oi.
paved streets, and with the increased
number of basins which are now being
constructed in the different sections Of
the city, and these almost wholly upon
unnaved streets, will require much addi-
tional work, without any extra appropri-
alton being made for this branch of the
department.
PAPER RECEPTACLES.
According to my opinion, 1t was rather
unfortunate that your honorable bodies
could not allow the appropriation for
paper receptacles asked for, as in al
most every city Of importance in our own
and nearby states, they use some kind
of a receptacle for holding paper. ETC.,
and have them placed along the principal
thoroughfares of the city; the public
soon recognize the purpose for which
they are placed there, and insteade of
throwing paper or banana peeling. and
other ma liter upon the streets, they de.
posit the same into the receptacle, this
keeping the streets clean from paper,
ETC., which causes an otherwise clean
pavement to look dirty. 1 made several
inquiries about them before submitting
my estimate for 100. and found that for
three hundred dollars, we could purchase
enough for the use of the central city,
and 1 still believe they would have saved
the city more money this year than they
would cost, and hope before long your
honorable bodies can make an appropri-
alton for the purchase of a sufficient
number for the use of the central city
and the business portion of the outlying
districts.
l also wish to call your attention again
to the kind of wagons used In the city
for the purpose of hauling refuse. which
are known as LOB wagons" and owned
by parties who make a business of cart
ing refuse. Some of the wagons referred
to, are disgrace to the city because of
their looks; others have not closed bot
toms and sides, and allow ashes and 9TH
er material to drop on the streets over
which they pass. When we consider how
much money II costs the city each year
TO keep its streets clean, and then to al
low these wagons TO be driven about
depositing dirt upon the streets; think
your honorable bodies should enact laws
designating who should be allowed to
cart ashes and matter either by private
contract or by placing the same under
the supervision of this department. SO
ma NJ mi tnte hox hnn
this office in regard to this matter, and
the dumping of the same into the river
and upon the streets and courts of the
city. l have employed a man, known as
general street inspector to look after this
matter. With his help and the aid
expect the police department will give
me, / expect to make a decided improve
ment over previous years in this branch
of the department.
THE NEW STREETS.
Another fact to which I feel IL my
| duty to invite your attention, is the new
streets which are being opened within
| the city limits by different parties, which
| are not at grade, and in some cases are
| only old ravines, in some way they usu-
| ally become the property of the city, and
the city must repair and put the same
to grade. ! would suggest that your
| honorable bodies pass an ordinance maxi
| ing 1t unlawful for any one to open a
| street within the city without first sub
| mitting map of the same to the city
| engineer and the street commissioner,
showing the condition they expect to put
| the said street in, which street must be
| put to grade and in such repair as in the
| judgment of the city engineer and the
street commissioner the case may require.
In conclusion my thanks are extended
| to his honor, the mayor, and the honor
| able the select and common councils, and
the various heads of the departments for
| the many courtesies extended. / hope
| the good feeling that has existed during
| my short term of office may continue
during the coming year.
During the year the following
amounts were expended by the depart.
ment Cleaning asphalt pave, 81. 769. 63
cleaning sewers and drains, "a, lie 46;
| repairs of sewers and drains, SO, ,762 Is;
cleaning stone block pave, $1,413.06; re.
pairs of stone block pave, s69999 re.
pairs of bridges and culverts, SO, ,S63 96
| repairs of Elm street S249.17; repairs
| of Jackson street, $293.31; repairs oi
Mulberry street, $23S.1O; salary of en-.
gineer for road roller, s215; repairs an6
supplies for road roller Ills; repairs
of Abingdon turnpike $1,49S.46; printing
and stationery, s74.S1: incidentals
s53.04; amount of pay roll, s2s, 1929.
During the year 729 permits were is.
sued bV the departmpnt