Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-05-18
COUNCIL TALKS OVER
MANY IMPORTANT MATTERS

The city council met last
night with Mayor Mcconnell presid
Ing and all councilmen present. e.
f. Schalles acted as clerk In the ab.
sence of C. l., Russell.
A written opinion from City Attor-
ney Reese was read to the effect that
the city's ranches should be exempt
from taxation. and recommended that
a bill for all taxes which have been
enormously paid on such ranches be
presented TO the county commission.
ers. On motion of Alderman West
and seconded by Alderman Hanno,
the clerk was authorized to return the
proper tax schedule to the assessor
and to ascertain the amount of taxes
enormously paid. Mayor Mcconnell
suggested That the finance committee
also inquire into the amount
Mr.. Balster. on insurance, re-
ported that there was $500 insur.
ance on the machinery AT the old
pumping plant, $500 on the boilers and
1880 on the building He recon-
mended an increase of $1,000 insur.
ance in view of the fact that the
plant was worth $4,000, but the mat
ter was not thought Of much import
ance as the risk was considered
slight. Bids we're read from local
agents Of bonding companies for
bonding the city officials. On motion
of Mr. Rivers the matter was referred
to the finance committee witn power
to act.
Herman Berndt Of the streets and
alleys committee, reported that quite
a number of prisoners were being
worked on the streets and tnat an
extra policeman was required to look
after them. He was being paid 81
and Mr. Berndt recommended his sal
ary be raised to $3.50 a day. The
matter easily carried. Mr.. Casey
stated that he was in favor OF paying
not only this extra policeman $3.50 a
day. but he favored paying every man
who worked for the city $3.50; II was
impossible for a man to keep his fam
lily on 81; other towns were paying
the same and 1t was a bad example
for Durango to set to pay starvation
wages. His remarks were interest
ing. He said q nungry man could
eat a quarters worth of meat at a
meal, and then what were his wife
and children going TO do? II would
take dollars worth to do for the
meal The rent was high and every
thing else high. Living was
cheaper In Silverton than in Duran
90, and Silverton paid y for eight
hours
Alderman Hanno reported that
three bids for piping the North Du-
range park az follows: Stubbs &
Jakway. s215; F. r. Graham. SPAS;
10 Jackson. 1856.
Mr. West thought If the city put
the pipes and water in the residents
Of the north side ought to be willing
to turn the water on 30 as not TO
have a hired man do II. Mr.. Casey
| said he for one would willingly dc
his part. The contract was awarded
to Stubbs & Jakway.
Mr.. Logan OF the city hall and jail
| committee reported the contract fol
painting and papering a part Of the
| building had been let to George Good
man for S28. His committee had al
| so mad an estimate for building ar
addition to the fire house. 50x25. Of
stone and brick, corrugated Iron roof
for $3.50 or 500.
Mr.. West was opposed to makini
any addition to the ire house: h'
believed 1t was In the wrong place
and he believed that II the city pro
gressed the way we expected in th'
next twelve months, we could sell th'
present nall for what II Is worth
when we could build q hall In thu
right place. Mr.. Casey argue'