The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-20
DEFICIENCY BILLS
WERE CONSIDERED
AT A MEETING OF JOINT AU-
DIT1No COMMITTEE.
A Bunch Of Fire Department Bills
Amounting to $1,640Ne, Some
Over Two Years Old, Referred to
the Estimates Committee, with
instructions to Incorporate Them
in the Appropriation Ordinance for
the Coming Fiscal Year-Some Of
the Bills Not Approved by the
Former Chief.

bills, some of which were two wears
old. amounting in all to $1,549.96. were
last evening considered by the joint
auditing committee. They were ac-
companied with a letter from the con-
troller stating that they had been in
his office so long that something should
be done with them. a letter from
Chief Walker was also received. stat
ing that he had no knowledge Of the
bills and that they had been contracted
by his predecessor in office.
Considerable discussion was INDUCED
in as to what was the best thing to
do in the premises, the bills being,
with one exception, all correct. but no
funds for their payment being avail
able. Mr.. Tewkesbury expressed the
sentiment of all present when he said
that before purchasing new things the
city should have paid for the old
things first. He moved that all the
bills except that of the New York Noz-
zle company be referred. to the esti-
mates committee with instructions that
provision be made for their payment
in the appropriation ordinance for the
coming fiscal year.
The bill of the New York Nozzle
company has very peculiar history,
if the one recounted at the meeting
last evening is true. 1t is for six shut
off nozzles and the price charged up
for each is s25. The nozzles, it ap-
pears, were ordered by ex-Chief Hickey
in 1898, yet the bill is not approved
by him. Chairman Zizleman volun-
teered the information that the COM
pany had agreed to contribute 800
Cot, mr. q
the city paid the bill.
The members present thought 1t was.
to say the least, rather peculiar that
the company should be willing to pay
! 500 to get $3.50 and the bill was &C.
cording taken out Of the bunch re-
ferred to the estimates committee.
Mr.. Zizleman in the meantime had
| been searching through the records
| and came across a letter sent with the
| noZZcs by the company. 1t contained
| the information that Il after care
| full and thorough trial" the nozzles
| were not satisfactory. they could be
returned. 1t was decided that they
| had not proven satisfactory; that they
had been given a whole two years
| careful and thorough trial" could not
| be gainsaid so it was further decided
| that the chief of the fire department.
send them back.
| Some one suggested that a photo
grarher be engaged to secure photo
! graph of the secretary Of the company
as he opened Chief Walkers letter.
but though the suggestion met with
| general approval it was not acted
! upon.
Another bill which was discussed pro
and con was one presented by p. +.
and NJ. II. Howley fer work done on
! the Eagle engine hous" amounting 20
! s7304. 1t was explained that Chief
| Hickey directed that work amounting
to SAB be done and that when this had
been finished Councilmcn Reyan and
Clarke stepped in and ordered extra
work amounting to the above men,
toned s73.O4 done.
The chief approved the bill of $ll6.0i
for si3. leaving the balance Of $73.0i
due. No one disputed that that amount
Of work had been done but Mr.. Wagner
raised the point that the committee
had no right TO pass on bill for work
ordered done by a councilman or coun-
c!men. He thought it dangerous
precedent to establish. but on motion
of Mr.. Schroeder it was ordered paid.
Mr.. Wagner then wanted to know ii
he went into the Relief Hose com.
pany's home and ordered 1t repainted
and renovated. would the COMMITTEES
pass the bill The members were silen!
on this point
Another bill which has been due foi
over two years was ordered paid. II
was from the Finch Manufacturing
company and was for S1G5.90. An ex.
ceedingly large number Of other bills
were approved, including r. V. Lewis
bill Of $50 for services rendered as as
sistant sanitary officer.