Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-20

 yesterday afternoon, Mayor Elton pre- siding, and all the members being pres ent except Mir Wade. A few questions came up which threw interesting side lights upon former boards, but owing to the efforts of MT Cairns very little light was thTown on the canvas, and as a result seekers after information got very little of it.
 Richard Mccarthy, a member of the fire department, appeared before the board and asked what course he should pursue with reference to a suit that has been instituted against him by City Attorney Kellogg for street as sessment levied against him for the layout and grade of Washington street, east of Sylvan avenue. Mir Me Carthy represented that he never owned anything abutting on any part of Washington street, and that the lot listed in his name in that district stands in the rear of Richard Bacon's place and Is at least 150 feet from Washington street. His lot abutS upon proposed street which will run south from Washington whenever it Is opened.
 Mayor Elton asked for the assess ment map of that street, but Mir Cairns gave him an evasive answer, stating that while he knew nothing about 1t, it was but fair to assume that the board that had to do with the matter knew what it was doing. This nettled his honor somewhat and he replied that it was not a question of what the board knew, but what the map shows, add ing that 1t was but fair to assume, too, that a man knows what he owns and where it is located. Then Commission CT Brown expressed a desire to see the map, whereupon MT Cairns said that the board could see everything in his office if it wanted to. You don't seem to be getting us that map very quick, though" chimed in the mayor, looking at the engineer with a face akin to that of kind father who wishes to rebuke an unruly son and yet not show bad temper. Whether 1t was what the mayor said or the way he looked that moved the engineer to obedience nobody could tell, but any way he walked across to the telephone and told MT Root to look up the map of Washington street, from Sylvan avenue to Dublin street Then all hands smiled with the exception of the engineer, but there was something in his conduct which showed that he was going to have his smile bye and bye. And he did. MT Root brought out three or four maps, but none of them proved to be the. right one After a good deal of discussion on the Ques- ton, MT Mccarthy was informed that the aldermen were the only officials competent to deal with that question. MT Goss said that while 1t was a hard ship upon the petitioner to have to em- ploy an attorney to agree on the facts with MT Kellogg, still he saw nothing else for. him to do. He didn't think it was anything that the department of public works or the ctty1a attorney should be expected to look after: sc7
 The following innocent looking little communication created anothed pass age at arms between the chair and the engineer:
 Hon ]. F.. Elton. Mayor, Waterbury.
 Conn:
 Dear Sir: Tn regard to the proposed laying of twelve-inch water pipe by city of Waterbury on West Main street. Waterbury, Conn, crossing un- der main track Highland division, N. Y., N. Fl. and H. R. R., I would beg to inquire if 1t could not be arranged to have this pipe laid to conform with proposed grade of West Main street in the elimination of this grade crossing : in connection with Waterbury i'm provement. It is proposed to depress the present grade of West Main street three feet below present base of rail at center of Highland division crossing the new grade meeting old grade of street about POO feet east and 100 feet west of present Highland division. If this could be arranged 1t would great Iy facilitate the work of elimination when undertaken at this point
 Yours truly, ss
 F.. J. EASTERBROoK, Asst Eng.
 The mayor expressed himself as being very much in favor of complying with the request, but the engineer con sidered the communication too indeh- nite. It didn't state whether that was to be the grade or not. nor did 1t say anything about bearing a portion o1 the expense incident to the change as they claimed they were willing to dc when they talked the matter over here some time ago. The mayor said thai he had had some business relations with the railroad people and they used him all right, and he didn't think they would throw him down on this if there were any expense connected with il they ought to bear. 1t was a small matter. anyway, he said, and if neces sary he would guarantee that the com pany would pay it's share. MT Cairns figured up that the whole bill would amount to $50. The board thought this hardly worth talking about, but the engineer curtly remarked that the railroad was better able to pay it thar the. taxpayers of Waterbury. It was finally decided to do as the railroad de sired. the mayor remarking that fl would cost less to do it now than later and that it was a friendly act on the part of the company to give the city the tip.
 The next bomb came direct from tht mayor He wanted to know something about the street leading to the Null cahy school. "What's the mattel there anywayr' inquired Commission CT Jackson. CT guess after you look into it." answered MT Goss. you'll find 1t jumbled up like a handful of jack straws. There is $50,O00 schoo building there. though. and there oug'l to be some way of getting to it." The mayor asked former Commissionel Scully what was the present status o1 the case there MT ScT1lly said thu In45 If