The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-19
NEITHER SIDE IS
WILLING TO GIVE.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL FAIL TO
SETTLE CONTROVERSY.
Representatives of Gas Company and
Electric Company Are Willing to
Waive Rights Gained Under Motion
to Adopt Gas Committees Report,
but Patterson Company Holds Out.

Mayor David P. Jones and the mem
bers of the council committee on gas
had long discussion yesterday after
noon over the proper method of award
ing contracts, but could come to no
agreement and the committee adj
for correcting the error pointed out |
by the mayor in his communication or
street lighting. The meeting was at
tended by City Attorney Frank Hca-
ly, President A. E. Merrill and repre-
sentatives of the Minneapolis sGas
Light company, the Minneapolis Gen
son Street Lighting company.
After the mayors communication
had been read. it was freely discussed.
In this message Mr.. Jones called atten-
tion to the fact that the practice Of
awarding contracts by the mere adop-
ton of committee report was in con-
fiict with the city charter aud was not
the best practice, as it deprived him
| of his right to review the action Of the
council.
In response to a query from Alder
man Schoonmaker, MIR. Hea1y said that
| the contract had been regularly award
ed. The council could pass resolution
! forwarding the contract, but it would
be Of no effect unless the contractors
waived the rights they had gained I'M
/ der the motion to adopt the commit
| tees report. &
Patterson Stands Firm. Z
The representatives of the gas COM
pany and the electric company there
upon declared that they were willing to
waive their rights and have the ques-
ton Of awarding the contracts resub-
mitted to the council. Mr.. Patterson
of the incandescent lighting company,
however, took the position that the
contract had been awarded, in com+
pliance with the provisions of the Or
| dinanoe, and objected to having the
matter resubmitted
Mayor Jones then explained his posi-
ton in detail. He admitted that he had
frequently, both as alderman and may
or, acquiesced in the practice Of award
ing contracts on mere committee re-
port. He had no criticism to make,
but was Of the opinion that the meth
cd was illegal: 1t developed during the
debate that the system had been de-
vised by Joseph L. Izmchli in 1899, the
main purpose being to save the expense
entailed by the official publication of
resolutions.
City Attorney Healy thought that the
issue was now between the mayor and
the contractors. Alderman E.. G. Chat
mayor was late in making his protest.
Alderman Plat B. Walker also criti-
cised the attitude Of the mayor.
Hertig Sides with Mayor. -
Alderman Wendell Hertig sided with
4 the mayor and argued that the charter
4 did not provide for the awarding of
] CONTRACT on simple motion. The coun-
4 Gil had adopted the report of the gas
4 committee, but had not legally acted
upon the contracts. Mr.. Healy, how.
4 ever, ruled that the motion adopting
a a. report was an act Of the council.
TO s bring the question to an issue
4 tions awarding the lighting contracts
be prepared, but there was no second
. Mr. Hertig could not second the mo-
ton, as this would commit him to the
I incandescent lighting contract, to which
he is strongly opposed. The committee
It is possible that if Mr.. schoon
! council meeting next Friday evening
he can obtain second and in that even
a there will be some excitement.
y The Minneapolis Gas Light company
gas to the city, the Minneapolis Gen
eral Electric company, which has tn,
electric lighting contract, Bayne {
= Hewett, who have the steel contract TO
J the Washington avenue bridge, an,
other contractors whose, contracts ar
held up by the mayor s refusal to sig1
. them are entirely willing that the con
VI tracts should be rewarded by resolu
ttss ton. The only opposition comes fror
W W the Patterson Street Lighting company
LII That Mr.. Jones will veto the incan
~. descent contract when it comes to hi1
u may now be accepted as certain, an
IT, this fact is calcul ated to bring terro
J, to the Patterson faction in the council
y A short time ago the incandescent part
IN had enough votes to pass the matte
oee ger that some of the strength may b
at lost in view Of the recent agitation.