The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-12
TIMELY TOPICS.

The success of the Smith-Singer en-
strated that Carbondale will support a
course, of this character, provided the
entertainers have merit and the enter
tainments are managed with view to
satisfying and pleasing the patrons
Too often a narrow spirit prevails in
such management and the only, or
chief, consideration is in the neghbor
hood of the box office. In Justice to
both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Singer, now
that the course is over and there Is
little risk of being accused of patron
i2ing or in palmer words, "jollying'
them. it must be said that they dis
played broad spirit ana enterprise
that was not for revenue only.> They
made some money on the venture, but
it was not a great deal of change that
was left. The course was an expensive
one, and as it was the first really am
'bitious endeaVor of its kind and there
We're many things they We're not
familiar with. they deserve a good deal
of credit for their conduct of the en-
terprise. Everybody seemed pleased
and pronounced the course Il success,
as a whole.
Now that it has been satisfactorily
demonstrated that Carbondale appreci-
ates and will patroniZe Il course enter
tainment. this enterprising pair, Mr..
Smith and Mr.. Singer, have decided to
conduct another course. What their
experience taught them this year viii
put into practice next year. While II
is, perhaps, too early TO predict the
success of next years course, the as
surance is given by Messrs. Smith and
Singer that there will be entertainers
of higher standing than this years.
Now that the popular taste has been
discovered, the best that can be pro-
cured will be offered.
The joint estimates committee of
councils deserves creditable mention
for the promptitude with which they
acted in providing for the repair of the
damages which was caused by the re-
cent Hood The prompt action in this
case is an exception ana calls for a
generous bestoWal of praise. 1t was an
item that, perhaps, might have been
overlooked in the rush of matters, and
its recognition was therefore quite
timely. city Engineer Kupp, at whose
instance the provision was made,
claims Il good share of credit.
The sum estimated to make the re-
pairs is $1,000, This, however, repre-
sents only the City's share Of the eX-
pense entailed by the flooding, ana it
is to be applied only to roadways and
cutters 1t gives only a faint idea OF
the aggregate damage and loss by the
storm, as scores of properties suffered
damages that will have to be met by
the owners themselves.
As stated in yesterdays Tribune, it
was the intention to resurrect the gem
eral sidewalk ordinance at Monday
nights meeting of common council but
the fears that it might be killed caused
Mr., Whitfield to withdraw his motion
1t is likely, therefore, that no action
will be taken towards effectlng its
passage until after the councils reor-
ganize. Then, it can he safely huz-
arded, the ordinance will be recalled
and the effort TO make it law will be
pressed with vigor, Whatever action
may be taken in this respect is TO be
commended and encouraged. for the
ordinance, if made effective, will be am
important bit of legislation. 1t can
NNN'A pN SsAiu ihiN' present con-
ditions, 1t Is an imperative necessity.
In many sections the streets, physi-
cally, are precisely the same ns a half
century ago. Perhaps this should be
modified or qualified. They are the
same, so far as sidewalks are con-
cerned. In more than one place, for a
radius of an eighth of mile, there Is
not a stone of tagging laid. In winter
the roadway is the best path, and i'm
spring, neither the road nor the path
that answers for "A sidewalk is more
than passable. This is certainly re-
Election on city that is over half
century old
In the new ordinance is remedy.
which Will also materially advance the
interests of the city, The provisions of
the ordinance are not harsh, or dras-
tic; on the contrary they are most
reasonable; but If there are any OBJ
features, they can be read
lily eliminated before its passage. The
trouble now is, OF appears to be- that
the majority of council is Indifferent to
the measure and for some reason would