Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-03-17
CITY COUNCIL.
Town Ditch TO Be Abandoned Street
Railway Franchise Forfeiture.
OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS.

City council held q llVely ana I'M
portant meeting last night, and con
siderable business was transacted.
Mayor Myers and Alderman Harrison
were absent and Alderman Grunsfeld
presided. Action was taken in regard
to abolishing the city ditch, a measure
unanimously favored by every council
man. Next in interest was the forfeit
of $1,000 by the street railway com
pany the franchise expiring at mid
night last night, and the councilmen
tool no action extending the franchise
as requested. AS several other street
railway propositions are under consid-
Grafton the whole matter was deferred
until the next meeting.
The abolishing of the city ditch,
which was referred to a committee to
investigate at a former meeting, was
brought up and widely discussed.
Chairman Rogers of the sewer com
mittee, who had looked carefully into
the matter, reported that the people OF
Barelas have q contract with the peo-
pie north of the city to keep the ditch
open, but that they would throw the
water ITOIn llt Clty ultNh hNC INV
Highland ditch for 500. The Barelas
people want the city to keep the High
land ditch clean, which was objected
to. The question was finally referred
to the city attorney, with instructions
to ascertain what contract could be
made with the Barelas people, and to
draw up a contract satisfactory to both
-z-.o. a. - ,atal npo, OF tho nnyt
meeting. A petition signed by a large
number of citizens, asking that the
ditch be closed, was presented. On
motion, Clayton & Co. were authorized
to insure the viaduct for 81 800 in the
British American Fire Insurance COM
pany.
A communication was received from
l.. c. Brooks resigning his position as
president and member of the park COM
mission. The name of Gov. E. S. Slower
was suggested for the position.
Engineer John Wilson, OF Ell Paso,
submitted figures on the cost OF con-
structing and operating three miles OF
electric railway. He estimated the
cost of construction at $44, 700, and the
udily tOtdl COot VI oPNiotihS wv '
including the wages of employees, etc.,
at $63. Not one comment was made.
The bad condition of the city fire
plugs was discussed to some extent.
Fire Chief Nash made a report stating
that an inspection had been made OF
fire plugs all over the city n they
were found in a bad condition., the
threads having rusted away, leaving
the hydrants in a dangerous condition
in case of fire, and that it was most
important the matter be attended to at
once.
Mr.. Hubbs stated hat a few of the
hydrants might have been injured by
the coupling with the city ~sprinkling
wagons, but not enough to damage
them to any extent.
The water company thought that the
city should repair them, and the city
takes the opposite stand. After con-
siderable discussion the question was
referred to the water committee and
city attorney with power to act.
A referred ordinance providing for
the sinking of wells to a greater depth
was referred back to the sewer com
mittee.
Early during the meeting a telegram
signed by John b. Simon and Rich
mond S%tateinstand, of New York, was
read. 1t stated that the contract for
the building of an electric railway un-
der the existing franchise had been
signed, and asked for an extension OF
the franchise. Eighteen months ago
the company put up $1,000 in forfeit
money with the guarantee that they
would build at least two miles within
the extended time. AS other railway
propositions had been presented the
council took no action in regard to the
franchise.
Hon. II. B. Ferguson addressed the
council in interest of Hon. o. A. Crom-
well, stating that at the next meeting
he would have a definite street railway
proposition from Mr.. Cromwell to pre-
sent. The council decided to listen to
any proposition regarding the building
of an electric railway at the next
meeting.