Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-10
POSITION Of the CITY ENGINEER
Mr.. Pearse Says He VIII Not BE
Responsible For Work Unless IN
speetors Are Prov'ded-Var'ous
Measures From Lower Branch Acted
bv Board in Regular Session.

board tf aldermen uCNOtcd laiSe
OAR, of its time to Il discussion or
report from the highways and sewers
committee. recommending the appro-
priation OF $1,000 TO d"iray tn" cost
OF extra work in connection with the
street paving and to pay Tor addi-
tional assistance to the city engineer.
The committee reported that 1t would
be necessary TO employ an assistant
engineer and a rOdman. rs well aF
four inspectors, while the paving
work Is in progress.
Messrs Read and West and Dr.
Longan opposed the report, contend
ing that one engineer could do The
work and that the amount wanted
for inspectors was excessive. Mr..
Kellum urged that the report be
adopted as read.
During the course OF III" discussion
CITY Engineer Pearse addressed the
board several times. finally inform
ing the members that it would be
absolutely impossible for him 10 car
ry on the paving work without an
assistant engineer. and declaring that
he would not attempt 10 shoulder the
responsibility for the work. especial
" of that on the concrete curb and
gutter. unless the inspectors were
employed.
Mr.. Read moved that the report be
amended so as to cut out the apprc-
priation for the assistant engineer,
| goldman and inspectors. This was
lost by vote OF Ave to two-nays.
Kellum and Weston. .; ayes. Longan.
Read, Nelms. West and Robinson. ).
Six votes were necessary 10 adept.
One or two other amendments were
voted down and then the original mo-
ton TO adopt the report was lost.
Just before the board adjourned, how
ever. q motion was carried 10 adopt
the report after cutting out the pro
vision for inspectors. and cutting
down the period for employing an
assistant engineer and rodman from
four to two months. Mr. West. who
made this motion. said that II 1t de-
veloped later that the assistance was
needed for more than two months,
he would vote for an additional ap-
pr. priation.
From the Other Branch.
The following measures adopted by
the common council. were concurrei
in:
Resolution approrriating 800 to be
used by the joint committee appoint
ed 10 investigate into the ACCESSIBILITY
and feasibility e extending the city
limits
Resolution directing the replacing
of street light removed from War
wick avenue. beneath the Twenty
eighth street bridge.
Resolution sppropriatiny $l.Jo0 10
defray expenses in connection with
new sewer work to be done on &c
count Of the paving.
Resolution appointing Mr.. Vc!lines
driver OF hose wagon at East End
fire station.
Resolution appropriaiing $500 To
be used in repairing fire alarm sys
4 resolution appropria,ing s','oo t.
no used in bringing certain sidewalks
on Washington avenue 10 grad"
rec mmendcL b, the highways and
sewers committee. was referred back
TO he comit,cc. Mr.. Read and
this work paid for by the property
owners and objected TO paving fol
pavement prog Scd 10 be put dowr
in front of Washington square
a resolution granting the CheSa
pcakc 4 Ohio Railway Company per
mission TO retain in its possession
the plans for the Twenty nth snt
Twentyfourth street bridges. recon-
mendcd by the Highways and sewer
committee. was ad pied
A resolution. reported by sh'
buildings. grounds aud liCh' con-
mittcc. granting W. r. Barrett pr
mission 10 erect a frame addition &
building on Twenty fifth street. wa
adopted
Fire Chiefs Report.
The annual report Of Fir" Chief "
X STOW was read and ordered flied
Upon a motion by Mr.. Read. tn" cit
clerk was directed to express TO tn
chief and TO the volunteers and reg
usars Of the department the thank
Of the council for the admirable mar
ner In which they have controrc
fire In the city.
An ordinance providing for tn
placing OF gas lamps in front Of th
churches of tho city was voted dowr
A resolution was adopted instruc
ing the city attorney 10 take sec
Steps rs may be necessary to will
draw from Tho Newport News NaiioI
81 Bank funds on deposit there "a
the city.
Railway Companies Paving.
An ordinance, drawn by City a