The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-09
SOME TART THINGS
4 IN COMMON COUNCIL

Chairman Masters, Mr.. Whitfield
and MI. saIan Have Something te
S. Say About Settlement of Suits
Against the City-The Forbes
Damage Suit Precipitates the Dis.
cussion.
An otherwise duh session OF com
mon council was enlvened last night
by expressions of opinion of severa
members as to the proposed settlement
of the suit for damages brought by
Mrs. Ann Forbes. a former resident
but now Of New York city
TO begin with common council at it,
last meeting repudiated the suggestion
to agree on Il settlement of the Forbes
case out Of court. at the same time in
dicating the city solicitor to proceed to
the defense OF the city when the me-
cessity arose. Last night Mr.. Hunter
Of the judiciary committee made re-
port in which he informed council that
at a meeting of the committee on Mo-
vemblr 2S, called, hc said by the city
solicitor The damage suit VAS dis
cussed and was left in the hands of
the city solicitor to effect Il settlement
lbn ~ sun. not 10 tStttu Fppv.
MI. Hunter had scarcely finished be-
fore ChuilH@n Masters exclaimed: 1T
seems that some OF the city officials are
afraid to do their duty. When council
takes action on II matter like this 1t
uught 10 be hint TO the city solicitor
that he should contest this case. 1t
seems strange that such action should
he taken when council had already dis
posed Of hc matter"
"What's the judiciary committee or
anyone else to do with this case?' in
purad M. Whitfield, as aoon as the
chairnan finished. Common council
decided tliat this suit must not be
snt,lel ouc of court, 50 What business
has t;" committee to deal with it,
"Nciihsr ;he city solicitor or COM
mitt"e." faloWe,. MI $ahm, have any
business in my Judgment to settle these
cases out Of court. y person who is
entitled to dan,agos should get them.
Probahly one of these days We'll have
q claim OF $",OGO which might be settled
for $1,000 when the parties are entitled
to more. This is not right. Councilmcn
ar" not qualified to pass on or appraiSe
damages in such cases. Its time we
put Our foot on this thing: we are hay
ing too many of these
Mr.. Hunter. in answer to Z sugges
ton from Chairman Masters. said that
the city solicitor expressed the opinion
TO the committee that it would be very
unwlse to test this case when it WAS
the last of several claims growing out
Of the same matter.
The chair replied that this was not
the fact: that there was anotte" UNI
settled case, the Rafter claim
Council finally decided to take no ac-
ton on the report presented by Mr..
Hunter, The matter, the members
agreed, had been disposed of by coun-
Gil two weeks ago, when it decided not
to settle the suit. The Judiciary COM
mittee, they said. had no business or
authority to take up the matter.
Storm Doors Condemned.
Mr.. Sahm introduced resolution, |
which was adopted. directing the storm |
doors to be erected in trGnt Of the post !
Office. He supplemented the resolution |
with q few words TO the effect that new |
doors be provided. The present ones" |
he said. ARE disgrace to the city. |
They are Il menace as well. Til wager
that I have seen twenty-five persons |
struck on the head or body by these
doors nip-tsopping IN strong breeze.
We should use the old excuses and |
make shifts temporarily and have
new style built ut once
\ resolution by ATr Thompson was
adopted giving the street foreman au~
thority 10 enforce the sidewalk cleaning.
ordinance, ellis were ordcrc paid and
council adjourned