Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-09-11
TREET GRADE
BILL FOR $3.50
uses Warm Discussion in the
City Council.

| The first discovery made by the
council last evening after 1t had for
mally convened was a practically ex-
hausted fire, water and light fund.
The discovery came when acting clerk
Ralph Morgan made the announce
ment that he had in his possession
three bills which had been allowed,
but for which he had not drawn war
rants because there was not suffi-
cient money in the fund to pay them.
One of the bills was that of the Con
sumers company for $141, ard the
other two were for sprinkling, one
amounting to $150.S0, and the other
for $4,000. After the matter had
been revolved for several minutes
in the mind of each councilman with
out solution being reached, 1t APP
parently occurred simultaneously to
them that 1t was proper question to
submit to the city attorney, and he
was called upon for counsel. He
suggested that the warrants be drawn
upon the current expense fund, and
after this question had been settled
the council informally discussed the
ACCESSIBILITY of curtailing expenses on
the water and light fund. CouncH-
man Bodler suggested that less
sprinkling might be INDUCED in at
the park as the weather was turn
ing colder. The mayor said it seemed
as though things might be cut down
along this line, and asked Council
man Hedal how many men were now
employed at the park. The reply re-
ceived was that there were two, be-
sides the gardener, and that they
would be needed until October /.
The discussion developed the fact
that there had been 1929 paid out
for sprinkling the park during the
month of August, but in this case,
like all others where the curtailment
of expenses was the subject no ac-
tion was taken and it at no time ex-
ceeded the stage of discussion.
The next matter that presented it.
self to the council for solution was
tangled and mixed piece of council
manic business with reference to
grading done on Lakeside street, and
an alley. The problem presented to
the council for solution was as to
who had authorized this grading,
and as to who was to be made liable
for it. The street commissioner at
a former meeting had appeared be-
fore the council and informed II
that the property owners would do
the grading of their own accord, pro-
vided the city employ an engineer
to set the stakes. The minutes, 1t
appears, were made to read that the
| council would both set the stakes and
do the grading The council last
evening contended that this was an
| error. but whether 1t was or not
the chairman of the committee on
streets and alleys, J. T. Sullivan,
had gone ahead and hired an engi-
neer to set the stakes, and secured
the services of a Mr.. Switzer to do
the grading. Councilman McEuen
disclaimed any participation in Sc
curing the services of the gardener,
and so did Councilman Landt. and
both stated that the work had never
been authorized by the committee,
and that the city was not liable
for 1t. Councilman McEuen stated
that the contractor had come TO him
after the completion of the work with
relation to the matter, and he had
informed him that he need not look
to the city for payment. The work
of Mr.. Hughes the engineer amounted
to $10.50. and Councilman McEueD
objected to the payment of this bill
until credentials we're filed showing
that he was a licensed engineer. and
made a motion to this end. The may
or stated that one of the property
owners where the grading had been
done had come to him and stated
j that a charge Of SIC for each lot
had been sought to be imposed upon
him. and gave Il as his opinion that
this was excessive. Councilman Nc
Euen again took a hand in the dis
eussion and stated that one Of the
property owners, NJ. D. Wright.
had stated that he had never
been consulted with relation
to the grading, and would not
pay for his share Of the cost. Judge
Morgan here informed the council
that Mr.. Sullivan had come to him