The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-01-14

- n Nr1e3 \ & 81 y - ~ ~ N tf
was stated that somAthing was the
matter with the department. Dur-l
Ing the past year there were fifty-nine
alarms and one OF the french had
been absent from tnirty-three Of
these Yet he drew the same pay asl
the fellows who had been to all Of the
fires. Others had been absent from
twenty-five. twenty, and SO on. I'll
was stated that considerable bitter
| feeling existed In the department
from some cause and the council A.
nally ordered thorough investiga-
ton of the matter by the fire CONS
mittee, to report at the next regular
meeting, aand they are instructed to-
have an ordinance drafted defining
the duties OF the CHIEF and giving
him more authority than is delegated
him under the existing conditions.
A number of tax matters were
brought up and dismissed with the
usual result.
Councilman Harry Sewers having
become impatient at times at the tar
dy appearance of several of the coun-
cilmen at the sessions of the council,
offered a resolution looking towards
the filming of any councilman in cases
of hardness. The matter brought
out some warm little speeches and
some Of the councilmen took shot"
at each other much to the amusement
of the others in the meeting. The
point raised is carried by the rules OF
the council
| Opera House Safe.
/ Councilman O'Hearne, of the First
ward, brought up the matter of the
| condition of the Masonic opera house
with reference to fire protection.
! The fact was developed that Mayor
Williams had made careful examin-
/ alton into the matter. He made re-
port that the house was generally re-
garded as one Of the safest to be
/ found in the entire state. There is a
i standpipe on the stage that will
throw water to the top of the build
ing in case of fire. The stage has
two exits. There are five exits from
the lower house. The gallery is pro-
. vided with fire escapes and the jump
to the sidewalk in case of a panic
would be but very short distance.
The mayor found the windows on the
east side Of the building covered
4 with bill boards on account of the an.
noyance that had been caused by
boys climbing up to the windows
This obstruction was ordered re
moved and also the metallic obstruc.
lSion that have been lodged in the
windows will be taken out so that in
case of fire or panic the windows
\ may be made exits In addition to
this separate light system for the
halls and exits is to be installed indie
4 pendently of the lights operated from
the stage. In case of fire on the
I stage or accident to the light there
operated, the other parts of the house
will be nghed The house has nc
asbestos, curtain, but under the cir
! cumstances it is, thought not to be
! necessary.
New Fire Limits.
4 The new ordinance defining thu
, fire limits of the city and repeating
! former ordinances was brought III
, and placed on it's second reading
The ordinance brought out length.
) discussion as to certain portions
The controversy was concerning thu
limits in certain directions and a:
, to whether or not a frame building
covered with metal was to be allow
ed. With the revision and the passage
of the ordinance only such building:
will be allowed erected within the
fire limits as are constructed O
brick, stone or cement blocks. Tht
revision was referred to a COMMITTEES
to be brought up at the next regular
meeting for consideration.
I. Street Cleaning.
The problem of street cleaning oc
cupied the latter part Of the evening
: and plans were formulated for this
, spring campaign in this direction
Better work in the street cleaning
department was desired, but how te
get it with the available funds was .
. problem After much discussion and
viewing the problem from all points
it was determined to advertise fol
bids upon the work of cleaning the
streets covering term OF three
years. The city clerk will prepare
the advertisement and publication
will follow in few days.
i Council adjourned but it is possible
that a special session will be called
to consider matters during the month
C. n. Hare Dentist, room 10,
Evans biocK, horne Phone 29o