Evening journal., 1909-02-25
CITY OFFICIALS
DISCUSS BILLS
Legislation Affecting the City
Not Endorsed, as Yet,
by Council

Several proposed acts. on which the
Legislature may take action. at this
session, were discussed at conference
held IA tho City Council chamber last
night at which Chairman Lyons. ot
the law committee. presided. Ten
members Of Council were present and
ia addition Messrs. Shortiidge and
Bancroft members Of the city Execu-
tive Committee: President Howell. OF
the Board of Health; Representatives
Wolch and Connolly. and Senator's
Monaghan and Sparks were IN attend
ance.
The first measure brought up was
that which provides for a consolidation
of the various commissions and depart
mcnts of the city government. with tho
exception OF the Board of Education.
TO be known as the Board Of Public
Works.
No action was taken. the matter be-
ing referred for future discussion.
Tax Collections Discussed.
Among other bills discussed, was the
measure providing that the taxes OF
the city be collected by tho city treas
urcr and abolishing the present Office
Of assessors and collectors. and further
providing for n capitation tax on all
males whether they are property hold
crs or not
A similar bin providing for the col
lection of an receipts OF the city by
the city treasurer. Including water
rents. was read. This. with the other
measure. were referred for future con-
sidcration.
An important bill discussed was that
applying to tho F,re department. II
provides that Council shall have power
20 regulate The payment OF the appro-
priations 70 tho various fire companies
instead of the Legislature. and also
gives Council the authority TO elect the
fire officers annually from among tho
members OF any company in the de-
partment. This part OF the bill if
passed. will do away with the com
bine' and "anti-combine" organiza
tions. which now exist In the depart
ment. This bill was also referred
The proposed act permitting Council
to- borrow S265.Co0 for the Water De-
partment with which to build a filter
plant. was also discussed.
Mr. Sparks IN speaking OF the
methods employed in the conduct OF
the Water Departments affairs. said
gentleman" agreement.
He asked Mr. White If he had not
been present when the president Of the
Water Commission had stated that the
hoard received an appropriation Of
$4,000 a year. which was $4,000 more
than was needed and II appropriated.
this amount would be returned for the
use Of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment.
Mr.. White said he had heard such a
statement and Mr.. Lyons said he had
heard the same remark.
This hin was also referred. as neither
Water Commissioners Shaw nor Ford
WAS present.
M. Shaw Makes Explanation.
Speaking OF the discussion last night
AIR. Shaw said to-day that he saw
whore Air. Sparks charged that thu
Water Department had broken a
gentlemen agreement" Mr.. Shaw
'cnied that he had ever offered to give
'hc street and Sewer Department any
f the Water Boards money. "Tht
niy thing ina the agreement that wa.
broken said Mr.. Shaw. was the mat
ier of the purchase Of the Lea watel
rights on the Brandywine. This wI
could not do and build the filter at th'
same time. We had 20 pay $4,000 q
settle tho suit of tho American San.
Filtration Company which brought ac
tion against the city for breach Of con
tract aud We also purchased anothe
pump. ask ono OF the men who ]
now actively mixed up in the move
mont 20 thwart this departments wort
what would he hest to do, build IN
alter on buy the Lea water rights. an
DO advised me 90 build the filter"