The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-20

FAVOR INCREASES
IN APPROPRIATIONS
Special Committees of Charter
Commission Submit Their
Reports to That Body.

Special comittees of the charter COM
mission reported last evening recon-
mending that the limit of appropriation
for the fire department be increased
from $215,000 to $245,000; for the po-
lice department., from $185,00 to $214,-
600, and for the board of public works
from 1855, 900 to 5000, and that pro-
vision be made for an appropriation of
$4,000. to be placed at the disposal of
the board of health for disposition of
garbage.
The session Of last evening was de-
voted very largely to the report OF
these special committees, which were
submitted in detail. All of the reports
were received and placed on file, and
at the close 1t was decided to take
them all up for consideration and ac-
ton at the next meeting, to be held
Friday evening, Feb. rs, at 1880:
The report of the committee on fire
department, presented by its chairman,
Z. w. Gordon, favors a sufficient APP
preparation to permit of advancement
of salaries in the department, as rec
commended by the fire commissioners
In this connection it is stated that the
salaries of firemen In ST. Paul at pres
ent are not as high as those paid in
Omaha, Kansas City, Detroit, Indian
apolis or Minneapolis The advance
proposed by the fire board would ag-
gregate $4,000 per year. The commit
tee recommends enlargement Of the
present facilities Of the department, as
follows:
Additional Equipment Needed.
By installing new engine house on the
West SIDE, at an estimated cost of IS $50
for equipment and 81 ,086 for maintenance;
adding an engine company to the house
at Payne avenue and York street. equip
ment $6,2SS maintenance $4,152; INSTALL
ing an engine and company at Dale and
University, equipment $18 600, main
tenance, $1,000; installing an engine and
company at Ashland avenue and Vic
toria, equipment $S,343, maintenance
1854, and installing hook and ladder
at Edmund and Marion. equipment 81 800
and maintenance 1924.
The committee particularly recommends
that the additions be made in the order
named. 1t Is also suggested that the
proceeds from the sale of condemned fire
apparatus be added to the fund of the de-
partment The report closes with the rec
ommendation that the provision of the
charter relating to the fire department be
so amended as to increase the limit of
appropriation from $215,OO to $245 ,OO0
Recommend Thirty More Men.
James D. Armstrong, chairman Of the
committee on police, submitted a report
which begins with declaration that the
present limit of appropriation is entirely
inadequate to the needs of the depart
ment. The report recommends the addt-
ton of twenty-five foot patrolmen and
eight mounted men to the present force,
and the installation of q new substation
on West Seventh street. The commit
tee advises that for the present the city
rent rather than build or buy accommo-
dations for the proposed new substation,
and estimates that this can be done at
cost of 81, 600 annually for the building
and $500 for maintenance. The report
states that the increase entailed by the
addition of the new men recommended
would be $27,280 and recommend a total
increase of 1000, the remainder to be
used in necessary improvement and ex-
tension of the police alarm system.
The committee on public works and
health department reported recommend
ing that the charter be so amended as
to give the health commissioner full su-
pervision of the collection and disposition
of garbage, and provided an appropria-
ton of $4,000 per year for that work
1t is also recommended in the report that
the public baths and their grounds be
placed under the control Of the health de-
partment, and the receipts from the
baths be credited to the health depart
ment fund for the maintenance of the
baths.
Should Retain Balances.
AS to the department of public works
this committee recommends that the
charter be so amended as to permit that
department to retain all unexpended bal
ances in its fund at the end of the year;
that sprinkling be provided for by assess
ment against abutting property, and that
the limit Of appropriation for this de-
partment be increased to $175,000
Following the presentation of this re-
port resolutions from the real estate ex-
change were read in which the exchange
favorS the present manner of paying for
city sprinl1ing. They were received and
placed on file. to be considered in con-
nection with the committee report.
The committee on water department,
through its chairman, Mr. Ives. present
ed a report advising against the propos-
ed plan of charging the city for water
used In sprinkling and washing the
streets. The committee recommends that
the council be authorized to issue water
bonds at the request Of the water board
when it may appear necessary to raise
funds for extension of the water sys-
tenn. Mr.. Ives pointed out that there
had been no water bonds since
1900 and that the water board pays the
interest on Sucn ponds from the water
rents, so the issuance of bonds would not
increase the rate of taxation.
School Board Satisfied.
1t was reported that the school board
had made no request for increased appro-
priation and had seemed satisfied with the
present charter as it applies to it's de-
partment. Mr.. Catlin, however, moved
that committee be appointed to inquire
into the affairs of the school board and
report at the next meeting the cost per
capita and the needs and requirements OF
the department.
Mr.. Michael suggested the advisability
Of some amendment of the present charter
as to its provision for school purchas-
ing board consisting of the mayor, city
treasurer and president OF the school
board. The city officers, he said, had no
proper knowledge Of the needs Of the
schools and this work could more prop
erly and more economically be left to the
school board. The committee appointed
consists Of Messrs. Webster, Catlin, Ives,
McNair and Gordon, and will meet at the
call Of the chairman.
Messrs Michael Armstrong, and San
born were appointed a committee to re-
port at the next meeting as to the pow
ers of the commission as to complete re-
vision of the charter.
A long communication from J. A.
-