El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-22

parties in interest and have the matter
Strengthened out.
Asked for Reduction
Mrs. L. NJ. Bell and Mrs. a. P. Coles
now due upon the Pierson hotel re-
Gently destroyed by fire. The petition
was ordered received and filed.
Wanted Alley Filled.
property owners of block on Myrtle
avenue, requesting the council to fill
up the alley adjoining the property,
and to give them sewerage.
The city engineer said that he had
looked into the matter and had found
that the lots adjoining the alley were
so low that there was nothing to hold
the alley if it was filled. He under
stood that some Of the property own
ers were willing to fill up their lots to
grade, but some of the property was
owned by non-residents and what ac-
ton they would take was problematric-
al.
Mr.. w. E. Porter, who was present
with Mr.. Fink as representatives of
the petitioning property owners, in
formed the council that it was simply
question of getting a sewerage con-
nection, or being compelled to abandon
the property, as the present conditions
were imperious to health. Mr.. Fink
stated that he personally was willing
to fill up his lots and he believed other
residents wound do the same if the
non-residents could be forced to do
their share.
After some further discussion the
matter was refererd to the committee
on streets and improvements.
New Fire Engine Needed
The clerk read communication
from the officers and directors of the
fire department., signed by John Julian,
as president. Frank Powers, as chief.
and w. T. HiXson, setting forth that
due to the action of the water the tubes
of the steam engine had been eaten al
most entirely away; that the boiler is
in bad condition and dangerous: that
it would be necessary to put in a new
boiler. and therefore requested that
the council purchase a new No. steam
fire engine, and recommended the
Metropolitan or La France machines.
They also asked that the present en-
CINE be put in repair
Mr.. Julian addressed the council in
support OF the request. He said that
if fire broke out upon windy day
like that of yesterday it might be a
very serious affair with the engine in
such bad and dangerous condition
In reply to Mr.. Burton's inquiry why
he had not mentined the matter before,
he said that as long as the engine OPP
Grated it did not seem necessary but
when the engine broke down they had
the condition and found
it as they now represented it, Mr.
Julian also called attention to the fact
that there were several fire insurance
in the city, and that one of
them was present at the Pierson hotel
fire when the fire department had I'M
fortunately benn unable to get ade-
quate supply of water due to a want
of pressure. Ell Paso was now rated
as city of the first class, but he feared
partment was maintained the in
surance rates might be increased one
third
Upon inquiry it was ascertained that
such an engine as was proposed would
cost in the neighborhod of $4.5O0.. At
ter some further discussion upon the
subject it was refererd to the fire and |
water committee in conjunction with |
the president and chief of the fire de- !,
partment. with instructions to ascer-
-ain the cost and report back.
Water Supply Discussed.
Alderman Clifford called the atten-
ion of the council to the fact that the !,
contract for the city water supply |
would soon expire. He believed that
water could be obtained from the mesa
1t a much cheaper rate than at pres
mt paid. He was satisfied that a con-
ract could be made with private par
les at 90 per cent less than the pres
mt rate. No action was taken in the
natter.
City Lighting Question.
In connection with the, suggestion as
o the water supply Alderman Clifford
brought up the question of the present
condition of the city lights.H He said
he council should have an immediate
with the company as to
he price the city would have to pay
or the arc lights. Considerable dis
ussion followed, and Alderman Bur-
on interjected the remark that as far
IS the present facilities were concerned
he city might as we'll be without
lights. City Electrician Peticolas sta
ed that he had kept track of the time
vhe nthe light was put on, and found
hat on the Ell Paso street circuit the
urrent was turned on between 1890
nd IL O'Clock. He was informed,