The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-07
County Commissioner Pow
ers Protests in Behalf Of
Poor Taxpayers Against
Allowance of Claim and
Commissioner Seng Is.
Tired Of Grand Stand
Work"

county Commissioner Powers, at a
meeting OF the board yesterday. de-
clared that the recent Investigations of
the quality of the steel in the new
county jail was nothing more than
farce, and demanded that another test
be made. The other members on the
Toard took exceptions to the state
ments made by Mr.. Powers and a live
ly quarter of an hour of wrangling fol-
lowed, during which time some strong
allegations were made by both sides
to the controversy
Commissioner Powers has been at
outs with the other members of the
board ever since George G. GarrOW was
employed to make the test of the steel
and yesterday when the Garrow bill
came before the board, Mr. Powers
took advantage of the opportunity to
state his objections. The resolution
calling for test provided for an ex-
penditure of $25, but on account of the
thoroughness in which the test was
made, it was agreed to allow $50 for
the work. cWhen Mr. Powers learned
that the amount had been increased he
was on his feet in an instant, declar-
ing that such an action was an out
rage.
Thinks, $5 Would Be plenty.
why should we pay $50 for this
work." declared the irate commits
sioner when it could have been done
for 50. The test was a farce from be-
ginning TO end. The poor taxpayer
should have some protection, but he is
not getting it by this kind of work 1
move that the bill be referred back to
the committee ON grounds and build
ings"
After a warm discussion the COM
m1ssioners took vote on the allow
ance of the claim, but there were only
four members present, and with Pow
ers voting against the claim, it was de-
cided that it had not been allowed. At
this point Commissioner Seng moved
for an adjournment until o'clock and
the adjournment was taken, but before
the commissioners had left the room
Mayor Smith put in an appearance and
the commissioners We're again called
to order.
The Garrow> claim was again taken
up as soon as the members had taken
their seats. Mr.. Powers declared that
the claim was in the hands of the
committee and that the committee was
not ready TO report
Well I'm a member of that commit
tee, and propose to have something to
say Whethertwe are ready to report or
not" said Commissioner Wright.
rs the committee ready. to report ?''
asked Mayor Smith.
Mr.. Wright said he was ready, and
Mr.. Gray, the other member of the
committee, stated that he was also
ready. Mr.. Powers pounded the table
and said that the committee was not
ready to make its report.
Powers Opposes Report.
well, you're not the entire commit
tee, Mr.. Powers said the mayor and
the report was received and adopted,
Mr.. Powers voting In opposition.
Commissioner Powers again attempt
ed to go over the entire matter, but
was stopped by Commissioner Seng.
IF you have anything to say, say
it," said Mr.. Seng. Il am getting tired
of this grand stand work, and all of
this talk about, the poor taxpayer If
you have anything up your sleeve,
let us know what it isl
None of the commissioners were in
the best Of humor when the Garrow
matter had been disposed of and other
business taken up. The suggestion that
sergeant alarms be employed by the
county commissioners was not consid-
cred, although. it was stated that Louis
Liverpool was a candidate for the posi-
ton.
County Auditor Krahmer sent a com
munication to the board regarding the
100000 issue of new Jail bonds which
have been refused by N. w Harris 6,
Co., of Chicago, to whom they were
sold 1t was explained that the amount
included about $4,000 which was not to
be used in the construction of the jail
proper and for this. reason the bonds
were declared invalid. The board
adopted a resolution instructing the
auditor to advertise for bonds in the
sum of $4,000, and the balance will
have to be paid out Of the general fund.
The commissioners adopted a resolu-
ton introduced by Mr.. Seng calling
for an investigation of the telephone
rates charged the county. It has re-
Gently been learned that the county is
paying 81 per month for its telephone,
while the city is paying but $780,
A number of other small matters
were disposed of, after which the
board adjourned until Wednesday aft
ernOon.