Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-24
WATERS THREATEN
CITY BUILDING
REPORT BY THE BUILDING
SUPERINTENDENT
Salaries Of Engineer and Assistant
Are lncreased--The Oil Inspector
Wants More HeIp-Present
Franchise Petition


sented a report to the council yester-
day upon the causes of the flooding OF
the city hall. Recommendation accom-
panied the report which it Is suggested
will remedy the conditions complained
of, If adopted. The water is said to
greatly endanger the building.
The salaries Of the engineer Of the
city hall and the assistant engineer
were increased from $50 to 800 per
month to $1OO per month. An applica-
ton for similar increase, made by
two of the deputies in the city clerks
office, did not fare so well. This appli-
cation was referred to the committee
of the whole.
Oil Inspector Blackmar notified the
council that he needs an assistant In
his office and suggests that the civil
service commission be asked to hold an
examination for assistant oil inspector.
The need of making the appointment
arises on account of a council order re-
Gently passed which provides that no
more men shall be employed under the
requisition system, but that all of the
city's employees must be provided for
by ordinance.
A petition was presented from resi-
dents and property owners in the vicin-
ity of Boyle and Stevenson avenues
asking the council to offer an electric
street railway franchise for sale. The
petition, which had about seventy-five
signatures appended, was referred to
the board of public works. The route
of the proposed line is from the inter-
section of Boyle and Stevenson ave-
nues, south along Boyle avenue to
Seventh street and west on Seventh to
Spring.
Street Sweeping
Street Superintendent Hanley pre-
sented a report upon his investigations
of the subject of street sweeping. Ac-
cording to the report the street super
intendent has found that the difference
in expense between sweeping the
streets under the contract with Frank
lin & Alexander and sweeping them
with the pneumatic machines owned by
the city is slightly in favor of the ma
chimes. The comparison was based
upon reports of 100000 square yards of
surface swept. The report was re-
ferred to the board of public works.
Poor Cement
e. H. Misal made complaint about the
poor quality of the cement work on
Sacramento street. Misal contended
that the specifications for cement were
faulty, in that they did not specify the
exact kind and quality to be used
Misal said there are several kinds Of
cement and the contractors are In the
habit of using the poor grades when
the specifications do not provide other
wise. He advised the council to ad-
vertise for imported Portland cement.
Engine House Site
Richard Duval offered the city a lot
at the northwest corner of Central ave-
nue. and Fifty-second street, to be used
as a site for an engine house. The
price Of the property is $685. The
Vernon Improvement association rec
ommends the purchase of the lot in
place of the one formerly recommended,
concerning the purchase of which there
was some dispute.
The former was an inside lot and the
price was slightly higher. After max
ing vain effort to unraval the tangle
yesterday afternoon the building COM
mittee referred the case back to the
council again.
For Care of Hydrants
Bids were received for the care of
the street sprinkling hydrants. A large
number of bids were opened. All of
them were referred to the supply COM
mittee. The prices asked for the work
averaged about $1.5o for keeping each
valve in order, the city to furnish the
materials. Under the old system the
cost of keeping the valves in order has
been much greater.