The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-28
state that lie had had the original bill for
arta1. l,,el,S

state that he had had the original bill for
many weeks.
Srhnurmacher's interpretation.
City Counselor Schumacher. in reply to
Mr.. Murrel. said that the proposition could
be submitted to vote only upon sixty days
notice: a three-fifthS vote would be neces-
sary to carry the amendments. Mr.. Schnur-
macher proceeded to explain the purpose OF
amendments tackled on by the City Council
The object of the taxation amendment. he
explained. is to enlarge the city's nower to
put St. Louis on an equality with other
cities of the State.
Under the present Charter the city has not
all the authority to which it Is entitled
amendment would augment the city,s power We
to its proper proportions. Il am here. Mr..
Schumacher stated. ITO give any lni4rs or
nation that may be desired. Whether the
hill shall pass must depend upon the COM
VERY little improvement work has been
possible he Sda We te do not amend
the article pertaining to public im9rovS- prov;
ments, We must continue to have dilapi-
dated streets that resemble country roads
and sewers that will totter and fall after
heavy storms. sewers that are rapldis so'''s
to decay. 49,.
yidinC for the perpetual ownership of the
Waterworks by. the city. ,.,.
sentence that induced a hasty explanation
by Chairman Murrell. II don't think that
1 need say any more than MI SchnurI1
last appeared before this committee some
weeks ago." Mr.. Christie commenced.
I'VE didn't have this bill then" retorted
Mr.. Murrell. I'VE got this bill only last
:.Well," Mr. Christie continued, I'VE ap-
peared before this committee some weeks
ago and explained the bill in detail. then
told you about all l have to say: II you
wish to have any questions asked, l have
no doubt that City Counselor Schumacher
will accommodate you. as he says he came
here for that purpose"
Mr.. Campbell praised the commission and
its personnel and impressed upon the COM
ment to permit of public improvements and
at the same time offer favorable conditions
to property owners.
Fairback Opposes Bill.
In opposition to the bill. H. J. Fairback,
who was active recently in trying to have
Waterworks revenue reduced. expressed Ella
ton over the amendment allowing sprink-
ling throughout the year. He gave the i'm
preston that this new arrangement would
afford him extraordinary pleasure. Moth
ing in the bill, he said. appealed to him 80
the members of the commission, saying he
did not like the bill and it ought not to
pass.
Mr.. Fairback declared he would consider
the amendment for perpetual municipal
ownership of the Waterworks a good one
II a modification clause were appended pre-
scribing that the income from the Water
Department be diverted to municipal reve-
nue. Mr.. Schumacher said such law
would entirely wreck the Water Depart
ment in an extremely short time. and It
would not be long before the city would
cease to own the Waterworks.
John C. Heman. contractor, declared
the installment system providing for the
payment for street reconstructions at in
teIvals throughout seven years Is unjust.
He said the paper would not be negotiable,
and that contractors are chagrned because
the commission did not call them into coun-
sci. II have been In the contracting busi-
ness for twenty-five years" he said. II
of street improvements and 1 ought to know
something about these installment bills
Mr.. Christie advised him that bankers
had asserted that the bills would be nego-
Marcus d. Strait. an employe Of the
Street Sprinkling Department. strenuously
objected to the merit system article. He
characterized 1t as "the baldheaded civil
service reform scheme" and added:
There Is a growing sentiment. even
among Congressman. against this civil serv-
ice business, and it ought to be abolished.
don't believe the people of st. Louis
want the merit system
Mr.. Murrell hurried the hearing to an
end after the directors had presented their
statements.
don't know snythlng about this a,l bill" H.
committee hold back its report"
Delegate Sheridan seconded the motion
and it carried. Chairman Murrell said that
he does not know when the committee will
meet again. 1t is understood that Dele
gate Charles F. Kelly intends to tack on
free-br!dge amendment. There is so much
opposition in the House that all hope for
the passage of the bill is practically given
UP.