The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-09
MAYOR MAY not
RATIFY CONTRACT
CITY's EXECUTIVE TAKES CoUN-
GLE TO TASK.
Calls Aldermen to Account for Letting
Important Contracts by Motion In
stead of by Resolution, and Says He
May Withhold His Signature from
Patterson Lighting Contract.

1hay VI DdVAu . coues mas cdileu VIC
city council to account for it's practice
Of letting important contracts by mo-
ton instead of by resolution. In
communication presented to the coun
ell last evening, Mr.. Jones called at
tention to the fact that the city char
ter specifically requires that lighting
contracts be awarded by resolution.
The message is as follows:
"Altho the matter of the new con-
tract for lighting the streets of the
city with gas has not been brought
at this time that do not consider that
the legal rights Of the city are suf-
fciently conserved by a contract based
entirely on the adoption Of committee
report; and should such contract be pre-
sented to me for signature ! would not
deem it advisable to sign it.
'Further, desire to call your atten-
in chapter Nv, section 5, paragraph II,
expressly provides that contracts for
lighting the streets shall be made by
ordinance or resolution, which resolu-
tlon or ordinance must receive the sig
nature of the mayor or be returned
to the council without approval. With
out doubt many contracts have been
by the mayor heretofore, but the piece
dent, thus established is unwise and not
the best practice. When the mayor is
deprived OF his right of consideration
and veto of an important measure, the
council, by indirection, enters into con
tract over his head by the mere adop-
tl0n OF a committee report. This meth
policy. D
"While I do not believe the council.
in the matter of the present contract.
intended to deprive me as mayor of
my veto right, they have, in fact, done
SO, and as / desire to express my views
on the subject as a responsible officer
stated, withhold my signature to the
pending contract until can communi-
cate with the council in a proper man
ner. Very respectfully,
-''D. P. Jones, Mayor
The communication was referred to
the committee on gas.
Outside-Wire Inspector.
The long looked-for ordinance Great
ing the office of outside-wire inspector
| cial committee. The duty of the out
| side-wire inspector will be to inspect
and keep informed on the location, con-
dition and operation of all overhead
and underground wires carrying cleo
trio currents for any purpose, 1nclud-
ing the wires and cables Of telephone,
| telegraph electric light and power and
all are properly constructed and in
sulated so as to prevent fires, accidents
or injury to property and persons; to
cause the removal, at the expense of
the owners, of all dangerous or unsafe
wires and appliances, and to perform
such other work as may be required
OF him by the city engineer. The in
spector will be appointed by the city
engineer after having passed com:
knowledge of electrical science. The
appointment is subject to confirmation
| by the council. This ordinance prob,
ably will be followed by another, defin.
ing, the underground district within
which all overhead wires must be
| To Invite A1nundsen.
On motion of Alderman Peterson, it
was decided to invite Captain Roald
Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer
who has achieved fame by locating the
magnetic M e' pole and successfully navi
the. Arctic coast Of North America, te
visit Minneapolis. The committee or
invitation, which will cooperate with
other local bodies, consists of Alder
men Peterson, Chatfeld, Holmes, Rano
and President Merrill.
A communication from the park
board announcing that this body haC
vacated Hennepin avenue from Grove
land to La Ike street, and Lyndale ave
nue. from Western to Twenty ninth
avenue N, as parkways, was sent tt
| the special committee which has hac
| the matter under consideration.
All bids for bonding the city treas
urer in the sum Of 100000 were re
jected and the city clerk was instructed
to advertise for new proposals.
Thirteen suits growing out of damag,
caused to property on Girard avenue
by the OVERLOOKING of the sewer il
1908 were settled for $1,000. The ag
gregate amount involved was $115,00O
Sidewalk Inspector.
Alderman W. E. Satterlee presente,
an ordinance transferring the sidewau
Inspector from the police department
to the city attorneys staff. This office
will probably be designated as CLAIM
agent.
Alderman G. A. Westphal offered al
ordinance providing that the gasolen
street lights be operated on the ali
night and every-night schedule instea'
of on the old moonlight schedule.
On motion of Alderman A. I
; Vaughan the council adjourned unit
! Dec. % in order that the Decembe
, payrolls could be passed in time t
give the city employees their money TO
} the holidays. --a ~.