The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-22

1t was 9.45 o'clock when the license
tax ordinance was reached by select
council last night, and in view of the
wholesale amendments awaiting it's
appearance. 1t was decided to post
pone action.
on motion of Mr.. Chittenden it was
recommitted with instructions to the
committee to consult with City Solici-
tor VOsburg in making the measure
conform to the law, particularly
wherein It imposes a tax in excess of
800 a year on corporations, which 1t
appears is unwarranted by law. In
terested parties, 1t was suggested by
MIR. Ciemons, should appear before the
committee with any complaints they
may have to make.
Mr.. Chttonden suggested that the
comrottee might be instructed to mod
ify the five per cent tax on street
car companies by making 1t lin lien
of all other taxes" A number of
voices declared "it can't be done legal
ly," and Mr. Chittenden did not fur
ther press his suggestion.
There We're a large number of men
interested in the ordinance occupying
the spectators seats.
The speakcasy ordinance, giving the
police power to raid unlicensed sa-
looms, was called up on third reading
by Mr.. Chittenden, and passed by the
following vote:
Ayes -Messrs. Thomas, Williams,
James, Melvin. Chittendcn. Schneider,
Lidstone, oliver, Clemons, Wagner,
| SchrOeder-11.
Nays Messrs. Roche, Mccain.
O'Boyle, Coyne, Vaughan, McAndrew--
| 6.
MIR. ROCHE'S DIRECTIONS.
Mr.. Roche explained that his opposi-
tion to the measure was based on the
assertion of the mayor that the police
force was too meagre to attend to the
duties IL already has to look after.
Mr.. Oliver shouted out, "If the mayor
would only put TO work some of the
policemen who are drawing pay for
doing nothing that difficulty would
probably be overcome somewhat He
referred to the mayors refusal to re-
instate ] ieutent mt Spellman and Pa
trolman I. F. Jones. The ordinance
has yet TO go through common coun-
Gil.
A proposition was received from the
Nay Aug and Elmhurst Boulevard
company. through it's president c. d.
Simpson, offering to sell the city the
company's right of way through Nay
Aug park and also the Nay Aug bridge
for $iI 200, the amount represented by
the comrany's outstanding bonds, pro-
viding. however, that the city main
tain q free road to the boulevard.
Mr.. Roche thought this an easy way
out of the toll-gate -the-park squab-
BILE, and moved to refer the matter tc
the city engineer, city solicitor, park
commissioners and park committee
The motion unanimously prevailed.
Mayor Moir SEM a communication
nominating Harry w. Peters as in
spector of Schultz court sewer 1t was
referred TO committee. He also made
report on the Patrolman Potter case
which he was asked tC investigate
Mrs. Bingham who rented a house tC
Potter, complained in q letter to th'
councils that he owed her $50, which
he would not pay The mayors repor
showed that the claim was based or
a teChnicality aud that Potter has con
fessed Judgment for the amount. Pot
ter il appears. relinquished the houSt
because the premises We're not re
paired as he claimed they should be
The key was left with the office boy
of Mrs. Ringham's agent, George Is
Davidson. and was accepted unde.
, protest The claim is for the rent &C
cruirg during the period the lease haC
yet to run.
ANENT THE INSURANCE. BILLS.
; Another communication was received
from the mayor complaining that tn
, foolish dallying with the insuranc
bills on the part of the auditing com
mittee rendered the policies WORTHLESS
and advising that they be settled. O
motion of Mr. Roche, the special com
/ mittee of the auditing committee, hav
ing the bills in hand, be directed to FL
their report at the next meeting.
; Street Commissioner Thomas sent
: communication recommending that tn
, $3.50 appropriation for repairing TIL
West Mountain road which was trans
ferred be reappropriated, to be eS
! pended while the county Jail prisoner
: are at work there. 1t was referred
: committee.
An adverse report was made on tn
resolution directly the street commits
sioner to remove the additional trac
laid by the Scranton Railway compan
on Providence road between Carlo
!, | and Sterling streets. The report wa
: adopted A communication from Cit
Solicitor Vosburg accompanied the RI
port It set forth that under the Pee
pies Street Railway company franchiS
: the company was entitled TO build "or
! or more tracks with turnouts on an
" route they might select between Scrar
ton and Providence or other places
c Under this franchise, Mr.. Vosburg sal
the company was entitled to build II
extra track, and advised that if II
: street commissioner obeyed the resoll
ton It would plunge the city in PR
tracted and Improbable litigation.
TO INVESTIGATE SLoWE.
Under the head of new business M
Roche introduced the following:
Whereas, 1t is current report that certa
district engineer did, without cause, lay yole
hands on a peaceful ard inoHensiye citizen d.
ing the progress Of the fire at Mahon's shoe sto
quite recently; therefore be it
Resolved That the fire department commit
be, and they are hereby directed TO investiga
and report the facts to this council at its ne
meeting.
Mr.. oliver, with Mr.. Schneider as
second, moved to lay the resolution
the table. Mr.. Roche explained tn
the statement of the case was made
him by a reputable citizen, and to b
mind it was something calling for 1
yestigation. Mr.. Roche said he did n
taf, tat obi faf