The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-18

At its meeting at noon yesterday.
the board of trade heard the report
of Colonel l.. \. Watres W. r.
IIalistead and w. II. Taylor. the,
special committee appointed to sec
what could be done in the way of
ending the existing strike in this
city. The committee reported that it
had accomplished nothing. The re-
port follows:
N,a meeting Of the board Of trade held on
May ~ the board was reliably informed thai
OWING to the continued agitation aud resultant
strikes in this vicinity that there vas a rroba'
hility that the Delaware, Laukawanna and West
cru company might move their shops from Scran.
ton, and that Il appeared tho duty Of the board
of trade, ii possible, TO bring the contcnding
parties together and thereby save TO scranton
ono OF its most desired industries; and for this
purpose a special committee appointed by
the clair; that special commnittcc has now
requested the secretary to report that they
have had rumbcr Of conferences with both sid -
interested and that in view ot the fact that both
sides arc determined not to yield upon what
each considers the vital point at issue nothing
can be donc to adjust the matter in dispute, aud
they. therefore, respectfully asked to be dis
charged.
In accordance with the wishes of the
committee it was discharged. There
was no discussion of the report.
1.-THE "CtTASER" DISCUSSED.
w. II. Taylor called the attention OF
the board to a chaser" to the Rip
per- bill which has been passed by the
state legislature which gives the city
councils great scope in the matter of
levyinC taxes. This was a matter of
vital Importance to the city which he
believed called for prompt action by
the board. He suggested the appoint
ment of a committee To endeaNor to
prevent the signing of the bill if it has
not already been signed.
There was considerable discussion
over the "chascr' to the "Ripper'' and
twas the general sentiment voiced that
now, more than ever before. it be
hooveS the board to do what it can to
see that honest, sterling business men
are placed in councils who will see to it
that the tax levy is not raised to IL
point that will injure the city. Mr.
Taylor's motion prevailed and d COM
mittee was appointed consisting of Mr..
Taylor, Luther Keller and r. II. Pat
tcrsou. They will leave for Harrisburg
this mornng tn see the governor.
Tho report of Colonel T.. l.. Hitch
cock. who was the delegate from the
board to the seventh annual Convcn-
ton of the National Legislative league
at Rochester,, \. Y, on May s to II.
was read by Secretary Atherton. Af-
ter setting forth the nature of the
gathering and the business done, he
said:
COLONEL IIITCHCOCK'S REPORT.
The work Of this league s undoubtedly of the
greatest value in tho ncd of municipal rctorm
tho one weak spot in our governmental syst IN
Ii our city has in time pa, been afflicted with
the disease known Us municipal corruption: the
papers read at this convention all Indicated that
'lh,rc are ohc,s.' The disease is well nigh
universal. Even 50 favored city as Toronto
Canada, under the supposed specially favorable
British governmental system, has been saddicd
with Il city debt of over 81 900, or a per
capita debt Of over $40 and with little 10 show
for il. This debt of sl6o per CAPITA as compared
with our own dcht OF $50 would indicate thar
Scranton is not the deepest in the gull of
financial bitterness; That other cities have and
are suffering with ourselves; but it also shows
tho universal need of municipal reform. Its
accomplishment is matter oi careful education
and persistent agitation. To this end let us
assist and profit hy the work Of the National
Municipal league.
j. l.. Crawford, who was proposed al
tn" last meeting, was elected to mem
hcrShip by unanimous consent. The
resignation of Charles Iienwood, read
at tho last meeting, was accepted.
The applicatio of ii. G. Durham,
cashier of the Dime bank. for mem-
hership was referred until the next
meeting.
The finance committees reported bills
amounting tn S2S0.54 for the month.
which were ordered paid. A communi-
cation from the Merchants exchange,
of Buffalo, \. Y, was read, offering
the rooms of the exchange and their
convcnicnccS to the members Of the
board when they visit Buffalo.
Passenger Agent Ton Brock, of the
LackaWanna, sent a letter To the board
in which he stated that the Lacka-
wanna cannot grant stop-over privi-
loGes at scranton on its Pan -Ameri-
can excursion tickets, as requested by
the board. At the close of the meeting
lunch was served to those present. The
board will not meet during July or
August.