The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-19

tlon for month on the ordinance look
Ing to a mutual agreement between the
city and the Scranton Railway COM
pany as to the taxes that shall be levied
on the company.
Mr.. Vaughan opposed the measure on
the ground that its adoption would be
practically an acknowledgment on the
part of the city that the license ordi-
nance Of last year was not enforceable.
Mr.. Clemons did not look at it this way
and expressed the opinion that the
mutual agreement idea was a good
thing In view of the fact that 1t substl-
tuted sure thing for one that was not
at all definite. He also pointed out that
the lowest tax provided for in the new
ordinance would be productive Of more
revenue than Is at present derived from
taxes on the trolley company.
The Importance Of giving the meas
ure careful consideration commended
itself readily to the members. and, on
motion of Mr.. Coleman, action was
postponed for one month.
NOT APPROVED.
The resolutions, with the exception OF
the last. were adopted and the ordi-
nances passed on first and second read
ings. The resolution regarding trans
fers was referred back to special COM
mittee for an opinion from the city
solicitor on motion Of Mr.. Melvin.
The resolution directing the city So
licitor to release the liens against abutt-
ing properties in Section b, Fifth sewer
district, Providence, was returned by
Recorder Connell without his approval.
Because of the fact that the releasing
of the liens would destroy the assess
ment. which cost in the neighborhood
of $4,000. the recorder favors steps to
have the sewer built. despite the diff
Guilty of securing bids.
Donahoe & O'Boyle bid to do the
work for 1.94 per lneal foot Between
the time they submitted their bid and
the time the city was ready to have
them begin work there was consider
able of an interim, during which the
cost of labor and material increased to
such an extent that they refused to go
gests that if councils wants to release
the contractors it may do so, but it
should not destroy the expensive assess
ment already made.
The recorders veto was unanimously
sustained.
The recorder also vetoed the ordi-
nance fixing the number of newspapers
in which city advertising shall be done
and authorizing the recorder to enter
into contracts with such newspapers.
The recorder vetoed the ordinance on
the ground that councils have no au-
thority in the premises whatsoever. He
quotes the section of the new second
class city law which stipulates clearly
that "the recorder shall contract with
not less than three and not more than
four newspapers, one which shall be
printed in the German language"
1.-The provisions of this law" the re-
corder says, CLEARLY intends to leave
this matter in the hands of the city
recorder, and, hence, any ordinance Of
councils bearing on the subject would
be superfluous and invalid"
Mr.. Quinnan cOntended that the
Chaser to the new charter provides
that no contracts shall be entered into
by the recorder or other head of a de-
partment without the consent of cOun-
ellis, and in view OF this, the recorders
position is incorrect.
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
On motion of Mr. Clemons the matter
was referred to a special committee.
Chairman Oliver appointed on this COM
mittee Messrs. Clemons, Merrman and
Quinnan.
A resolution looking to the prevention
of the periodical overnows of the Pine
Brook sewer was introduced by Mr..
Maloney and adopted. 1t provides for
a lateral or relieving sewer on Poplar
street from the Fourth district main
sewer to the river.
Mr.. Merriman introduced an ordi-
nance for an electric light on the COR
ner of Gardner and Marion streets.
which was referred to come up in it's
regular order.
A resolution fixing a nominal tax of
800 year for ten years on the w. II.
Ashley silk mill property on Division
street.
The following ordinances passed third
reading: Repeating the ordinance pro-
viding for the $2S5,000 bond issue, pro-
viding for two sewer basins in the
Fourteenth ward providing for a bath
tub in hose house No l, accepting j. U.
Hopewelrs proposal for printing the
city manual, for a lateral sewer on
Meridian street, granting the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western company
permission to construct and maintain
telegraph and telephone poles on Ceme-
terry street, providing for flag walks on
Price street, between Bromley and Gar
field avenues, providing for narrowing
Capouse avenue between Green Ridge
and Delaware streets to thirty feet.
IN COMMON COUNCIL.