The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-21

ing nuInoscs'
The sum Of one hundred thousand CsiOo,OOD
dollars is first set aside for the purpose OF fund
ing the judgments which have accumulated
against the city to this amount III recent years,
and which II Is impossible for the city 90 liv
off out Of its current revenues. The wisdom of
doing this at the earliest possible moment Is
so apparent that The proposition needs no dc
fcnse. The city at the present time Is paying
six CO per cent interest on this debt and Ivy
rounding il at three and onc.half C3ia) per cent?
which with its splendid credit it can easily hope
to do, there will he a net saving of 2ia per
cent each year OH this large amount.
The remainder of the issue amounting to 3lSj.
900 IL Is proposed to- devote to certain municipal
improvements, as follows:
Forty thousand 100000 dollars fof the cree.
ton of u building on the citys plot in the rear
of the city hail. to he used as n general fire
headquarters, and also to be partly occupied by
the bureau Of police.
Twenty thousand ($20OO0) dollars for the pur.
chase of land and the erection of fire house for
the Phoenix Chemical company on Iackawanna
avenue. and thirteen thousand Gl3,000) dollars
for lot and building for the Century Hose
company and the Fourth precinct station house
ut some suitable location on tho South Side.
Twenty-Five thousand (S25,OOo) dollars for tie
improvement of the city's parks and sixty.four
hundred ($G,l0O) dollars for the purchase Of adj
ditional land at Nay Aug park.
Fifteen thousand (Slj.OOO) dollars TO finish the
fourth floor Of the city hall and install an elc-
vator in the same.
six thousand (SGoOO) dollars for the purchase
of lot for yard and the erection of necessary
buildings on the same for the department OF
public works.
Thirty thousand four hundred $3.50, i0)) dollars
for the opening of living avenue, Vine street
and grading the same.
Torty.Rvc hundred (Si,jOO) dollars for opening
Monsey avenue.
Seven thousand $4,000 dollars for the opening
OF Wayne avenue.
Two thousand ($2, ,OOo) for the purchase OF lot
at the corner of North Main avenue and Marvine
street
Eleven thousand (SI1,OOO) dollars for a retain.
ing wall on Third avenue.
Twelve hundred $4,000 dollars for retain.
ing wall on Yard street
One thousand ($l,OO0) dollars for retaining
wall OIL East Market street bridge approach.
Twenty-Five hundred $4,000 dollars for pipe
drain on Ash street.
The wisdom of bonding the city for the ercc-
tion of the fire houses contemplated in the ordi-
nance will be apparent at once TO your honor
able bodies If you look for moment at the con-
ditions which now obtain. The rent which the
city pays at the present time, il continued at
the same rate for the term which it is proposed
to issue these bonds, would amount to figure
the interest Cn these bonds and provide for their
liquidation at the end OF the term. At the end
of this period, if this plan is adopted, the city
would have these three properties which would
have cost ii less than the actual rent which it
would otherwise have paid.
The two items of $4,000 and $1,000 respective
ly, devoted to the parks are worthy of your
favorable action 1t is proposed to spend $4,000
on permanent improvements at all OF the city s
parks, and while this sum is not going to COM
plete these places yet its judicious application
will go a long way towards putting them in such
condition as to make them crediablo recreation
grounds.
The $4,000 item is intended for the purchase Of
plot of land adjoining Nay Aug park which,
ior the future success of this park, it is essen
tal that the city should have. A part OF it is
especially adapted to the location of public
swimming pool and this is a convenience which
the city will be called upon to provide at an
early date.
The expenditure of fifteen thousand dollars for
the finishing of the fourth floor of the city hall
is in the nature of completion OF work
which left unfinished at the time this build
ing erected. The growth of the city aid
the consequent increased work of the departments
has made necessary the provision of more office
room and it has been considered advisable to
provide for its completion at this time.
The two thousand dollars set aside for the pur-
chase of lot at North Main avenue and Marvine
street is the result of condition caused by the
laying of the North Main avenue pavement,
where in the opinion of the director of public
works it would be wiser for the city to buy the
lot than pay the damages Which would no doubt
he obtained.
The balance OF the items enumerated in the
| ordinance are all for permanent municipal im-
proyemcnts, the cost of which would he tco
great to be borne out OF the ordinary revenues,
| and which can never he made in any other way
than by being provided for in n regular bond
issue. They are such works should be taken
up by the city at an early day, and will upon
their completion result in general benefits to tie
community at large.
| trust that you honorable bodies will give
this very important matter your immediate at
teuton, and ] also hope that it will not suffer
any further delay than is consistent with tie
thought and consideration due measure OF such
import. l have the honor TO remain,
Very truly,
W. L. Connell, Recorder.
FOR A VIADUCT.
Mr.. Robathan offered a resolution di-
recting the city engineer to prepare
plans and specifications for the erec-
tion of a viaduct on West Lacllawanna
avenue, from Seventh to Ninth streets.
The resolution was adopted without
objection.
A resolution was presented granting
permission to w. L. Smythe to take
| certain maps from the city engineers 5
| Office to make blue prints from them
| for use in the directory he is to publish
The resolution was not passed, the
opinion being expressed that no maps
or other such property should be taken
from city hall. Mr.. Smythe, it was
said, could use the maps all he liked
as long as he did not take them from
the building.
When the new building ordinance
was called up Mr.. Gulrell moved ia
have it referred back to committee fol
further consideration, After some dis
cussion, the ordinance was re-commit-
| ted, Ordinances providing for the con-
struction Of Section a, Eighteenth sew
er district in the Twentieth ward and
| fixing the salaries of police magistrates
We're passed on first and second read
| inGs.
The following ordinances We're passed
ON third and final reading: Providing
| a li.anSn IN IN,