The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-02

needed
NJ. CuttinO stated that the steamer
vas very heavy for two horses and
that he had written to the American
Lar rance people to find out the cost
oi apparatus, SO that three horses
cou q be hitched abreast to the steam
er. The cost was $3.50. He was in
- Ected to find out the cost Of ap-
parntus of similar nature from
other houses.
he thought that steps ought to be
taken to have people driving vehicles
prevented from driving over the
hose when it was stretched ont at
hres as damage and delays are caus-
ed by it. Mr.. McKeiver thought that
l, was the duty Of the policeman
who attended fires to see to this. A
resolution was passed making it
misdemeanor for any person to drive
over the hose at fires.
Mr.. Jennings stated that he had
consulted the board of health con-
cernlng the matter and recommended
Dr. Mills as president Of the board.
he next discussion came up on the
matter Of changing cutters emptying
water from the roofs of buildings on
the sidewalks so as to carry the water
under the sidewalks Mr.. Jennings
stated that the property owners were,
generally in favor of putting the graf
ings in and that he had taken tseps
10 have his own installed. He said
that the property owners wanted the
work taken up by contract and in this
way it would be done cheaper. Mr..
Lee stated that he had secured bids
from number Of parties but had
not yet made any contract for the
work. Mr.. McKeiver moved that in
view Of the recent bad weather, when
it was impossible to have the work
done, that property owners be grant
ed respite Of ten days more in
which to do the work.
Mr.. Cuttino stated that he had been
requested to bring up the matter Of
drainag, for Hardy avenue. Every
time it rained the water backed up
and blocked the street. Mr.. Lee stat
ed that the only remedy was to have
the pipes in that section taken up and
cleaned and sandtraps installed.
Mr.. Jennings then handed to the
clerk a paper embodying recon-
mendatiOns disco ntinuing the office
of city engineer for the next two
years and reducing the salary Of the
street commissioner, as expert work
would not he needed during that time
as the city's finances did not allow OF
any importent construction being
done. Majc Ice, the city engineer
who was present stated that as far
as The oiilce Oh city engineer was
concerned, he could see the need Of
this recommendation. He said that
he saw no need for the city engineer,
except to inspect the plumbing put
in and II good man was put in
charge Of this work there would not
he need for city engineer.
Mr.. Jennings stated in his recon-
mendations that he had been consid-
ering the matter for some time and in
making the recommendation he did
not mean to say one word against the
persons who now held the two offices.
He simply thought it expedient from
a business point of view as a saving
to the city Of $4,000 a year. He stat
ed that the present Council would
have to hold over until some time in
August when their successors would
be elected, owing to the commission
form of government bill which had
been passed at the present session Of
the General Assembly. He therefore
recommended the discontinuance Of
the one office and the reduction in
salary Of the other office at the first
Of April, the city engineer to make a
complete map Of city during the
month he remained in office.
Council then went into executive
session over this matter, the result Of
the discussion in executive session be-
ing that council voted to adopt Mayor
Jennings recommendation as to the
Office Of the city engineer and as to
street commissioners salary with abe
amendment that it be reduced to $50
per month, after the first of May and
not after April l.
n Correction.