The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-07
WANT MORMSER
TO EXPLAIN
CoUNC1LMEN WOULD LIKE TO
KNOW ABOUT BIDS.
The Director of Public Safety Re.
quested to Furnish Select Council
with His Reason for Awarding
Contracts to Highest Bidders.
Committee Appointed to 1nvesti-
gate Certain Actions Of Controller
Howell-Sewer Contract Awarded.
Other Important Business.

| why Director OF PUBIC safety WOrin-
ser and ex-Recordcr Moir awarded the
recent contracts for a. fire engine and
| for fire hose to the highest instead of
to the lowest responsible bidders.
President Chittcnden introduced a
resolution at last nights meeting di-
recting Director Wormser to give coun-
ellis his reasons for this action, and also
requesting him to furnish to councils
the names of the agents present in the
interests Of the successful bidders. The
| resolution was passed unanimously,
without discussion.
| Council also decided to appoint a
committee of three to investigate the
alleged neglect of Controller Howell in
not furnishing statement of all de-
ficiencies to the councils at the begin
ming of The fiscal year and his action
in refusing to obey the councilnanic
resolution directing him not to coun-
| tersisn warrants for any bills not APP
| proved by the auditing committee.
| Chairman Chittenden appointed as
members of this committee three Of
the controllers outspoken opponents,
Messrs. Vaughan. CIemcns and Oliver.
The matter was brought up by the
reading of several communications
| from the controller One of these set
| forth that the amount of uncNpended
balances not subject to be merged re-
naming on his books from last year
amounted to $4,6l2.33. Another COM
municatcn set forth that there are
| row on file in the controllers office de-
| ficiency bills remaining unpaid to the
amount of Sy,79465. this in addition to
| the $4,000 worth of deficiency bills
provided for in this years general ap-
preparation ordinance.
| CONTROLLER HAS KNOWLEDGE.
Mr.. Vaughan claimed that the con-
troller had a knowledge of a large
number of these bills when the esti-
mates committee was meeting and he
censured him for not sending them in
at that time. 1t was finally decided
to refer this matter and still another
communication in which the con-
troller signtied his intention of con-
tersigning warrants for bills upon the
approval of the head of the proper
department only, to the above men,
toned special committee for investi-
ga ton.
In this connection it is interesting tn
note a resolution offered by Mr.. Mcr-
riman. One of the warrants recently
countersigned by the controller upon
the mere approval of the head of the
proper department was a warrant for
$40 drawn in favor of DR.. w. T.. Allen,
superintendent of the bureau of health,
the money to be used by him in pay.
ing parties who bury dead dogs.
After setting forth these facts and
noting that the payment of this money
to DR.. Allen was illegal because it was
an advance payment. Mr.. Mcrrman's
resolution directs the doctor to pay
back the money into the city treasury
and further directs the controller not
to certify any such warrants in the
future. 1t was passed unanimously.
Council also awarded contract, the
first awarded by any but the heads
of departments since the "rpper" bill
went into force This contract was
for the construction of a sewer on
Broadway, Moran court. Fourth
avenue. etc, and was awarded to
Donohuc e. O'Boylc. whose bid of
sl.6i per lineal foot was the only one
received. The bids for this were
asked for some time ago by coun-
ellis
TAN ORDINANCE.
Mr.. Cosgrovc introduced the license
tax ordinance prepared by city So
licitor Watson. under the direction OF
cX-RecOrder MOir. a resume of which
appeared in the Tribune some weeks
ago. 1t was referred to the license
committee without comment.
Other resolutions introduced and
passed We're as follows:
by Mr.. Misunderstanding for the pavement of
portion of Spruce street, between Franklin
and Penn avenues at the expense OF the city and
the property owners, each To pay half.
by Mr.. Schncdcr-Dircctng tho director of
public works 10 have fire hvdrant erected at the
corner of Beech street and Slocum avenue.
BY Mr.. Oliycr-Dmccting the city assessors to
file with the common council before July an
accurate list of the number of taXabIcs in each
ward
BY Mr. CcmonS Providing that a pavement
he laid South Washington avenue between
lackaWanna avenue and the lackawanna car
shops extending the time limit for the constr,lc-
ion Of the sewer in Section A, Tenth sewer dis
iIict sixty days; directing the city controller 10
eountcrsgn warrant tor the purchase of the
crenatory lot upon the receipt of a certificate
from the city solicitor setting forth that the
Iackawanna Iron and Steel company has delivered
TO him release of ground rent properly exc.
cuted,
NEW ORDINANCES.
The following new ordinances were
introduced.
BY Mr.. CTcmons-- Providing for the grading
Of Taylor avenue between Mulberry and Vine
streets
BY Mr.. Vaughan Providing for the conStruc'
,nm Of a sewer in the Seventeenth sewer district.
BY Mr.. Mcrriman-- Providing rules and rcGula
ions for the government of the sinking fund
&c mmissoncrS,
Ry Mr. Schncidcr-Transicrring funds for the
purpose OF providing an appropriation for print
ing and for incidcntals for the department OF
public safety.
BY Mr.. Regar-Proyiding for an additional gate
man at the Elm street crossing of the Jersey
Central railroad.
When the ordinance providing for
sewer on Railroad alley, to relieve the
Lackawanna avenue sewer came up on
second reading, President chttenden
took the floor and succeeded In having
1t referred back to committee in con-
junction with the director of public
works, claiming that the sewer was
entirely unnecessary.
The following ordinances We're passed
on third reading: Providing for pave
ment on Carbon street, between Penn
Avenue and the Lackawanna river;
awarding the water contract to the
Scranton Gas and Water company at
sl2 900 year; providing for lateral
sewer on both sides of Alder street.
providing for a lateral sewer on Penn
avenue and l.arch street, in the Thir-
teenth ward.
Mr. Finn alad little iok, at the