The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-11


saying old and true. Unless the board
OF trade or the councilmanic commit
tee appointed to prepare amendments
to the existing second class city law
drops out of the race the chances are
that Scranton won't succeed in get
ting any second class city legislation
favorable to its needs passed at this
session of the legislature.
The board OF trade sent special
committee consisting OF d. B. Atherton
and Colonel F. l.. Hitchcock down to
Pittsburg last Monday to talk over the
question of securing amendments to
the present general act governing cities
of the second class with representa-
tives OF the boards of trade of Pitts
burg and Allegheny.
There was a long conference on Tues
day, with the result that the Scranton
committee was given full power by the
Pittsburg and Allegheny committees
TO have prepared a new general act.
This was to be submitted back to them
before being presented to the legisla-
ture.
In word. the Pittsburg and Ale
rheny people informed the Scranton
committee that they were so everlast-
class city acts and having them de-
teated by the legislature that they
would turn the whole matter over to
.hls city. Messrs. Atherton and Hitch
| cock promised to have this act pre-
rared at once by ex-City Solicitor j.
II. Torrey and City Solicitor A. A. Vos-
/ burg.
! AMENDMENTS PREPARED.
While this committee was away n
! Joint committee of councils agreed up
! on certain amendments to the second
/ class city act mentioned in detail in
| last Tuesdays Tribune, and directed
! City Solicitor Vosburg to draw them
up immediately. These amendments
We're drawn up and were given yester-
day afternoon into the hands of AS
sistant City Solicitor u. j. Davis.
! Mr.. Davis left last night for Pitts
burg, and will meet Select Councilman
John Il. Roche in the Smoky CITY,
this morning. The latter has arrang
ed for n meeting this afternoon of all
the members of the Legislature from
Pittsburg. Allegheny and the other
cities nearby. whose inter ests are
closely allied with those of these two
cities. A number of the more prom
inent citizens Of both cities will also
attend.
Messrs. Davis and Roche will pre-
sent the proposed amendments and
will ascertain whether or not they
are favorable TO the wishes of the
pittsburg and Allegheny people. They
will receive any suggestions which
may be made and will be back again
In nj N n a
row nights meeting Of the joint
committee and report. The matter
will then be thoroughly discussed and
final draft OF the amendatory act
decided upon. Steps will be taken tc
have it introduced in the legislature
next week.
The councilmanlc committee lead:
in the race ii must be admitted by {
good many lengths. Their amendatorl
act is prepared and is today beint
submitted to the Pittsburg and ALLIE
gheny people. The plans of the boart
of trades committee are. to use {
slang expression, up in the air"
Messrs. Atherton and Hitchcock ar
rived home yesterday morning AM
were very much surprised when they
heard what the councilmanic commit
lee niu uollt'
COLONEL HITCHCOCK'S VIEWS.
Said Colonel Hitchcock: Had W,
known that this councilmanic commit
tee was going to act so promptly,
don't think we would have gone /,
Pittsburg at all. l think that w
should have been notified that som
. such action was to be taken. TIL
board of trade represents the bushes
interests of this city more than do tn
councils and the business interest
should have some say in the shaping
of legislation which will affect this cit
when it enters the second class.
Il realize the fact that there mus
be harmonious action in this matte
and that there must not be two act
introduced in the Legislature. It's yer
unfortunate that We were not consult
ed or given any say as to what tn
amendments should be. They may b
all right, and l have reason to believ
. that they are, because the committe
is composed of the most Representative
men in councils. but to my mind tn
board of trade should not have bee
ignored"
Asked as to just what the board G
/, trade committee would do, the colonC
: said he didn't know, but that IT woul
: probably abandon the matter.
: One OF the members of the council
manic committee, who did not wish hi
name mentioned, stated TO a Tribun
| man that the Dlan DrODOspl by th