Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-07-08
COUNCIL PAYS
MARKET OVERS
WARRANTS AUTHORIZED FOR
OVER ELEVEN HUNDRED DOL
LARS DEBT-CITY NOT BOUND
TO PAY ONE CENT OF CLAIMS.
ALDERMAN DWORMAN REPORTS
INCREASED EFFICIENCY WAT
Err AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT.
LOWER RATES COMING.

| BY Il very close vote and Alderman
DwOrman not voting. with Aldermen
Kirk. A. Browne and j. Browne voting
no and Aldermen Craig. Thorn, Cain
and Bcnayides voting yes the city
council yesterday authorized the issu-
ance Of warrants to pay "Over claims
Oh the market house to the amount of
over $l100. The city was not legally
or morally bound to pay one cent of these
claims. as the bond of the contractor.
secured the building of the Market house
at the amount specified in the contract.
and the city already had paid out that
amount These bills were for materials
used in the building which had not been
settled by the contractors. Montes and
Farias, and for money, which they had
borrowed TO pay freight charges.
1t was the sense of those voting yes that
us this money had actually been spent
in paying freight charges on materials
and us the materials listed in the bills.
which the contractors failed to pay out
IF the money they received for the cree
tion of the market house. actually went.
into the building, the city could afford
to make good these bills. as it had re-
ceived the benefit of the same
Considerable time was taken up on the
discussion of a reduction of insurance
rates which would result from the in
stallatiOn of proper fire doors and fire
walls ut the plant. but the council de-
cidcd that the city did not have the nee
essary $40O or $500 to install these just
at present. and it was passed.
The Brownsville Bank and Trust Com
pany was made the city depository on
the vote Of three members of the council.
the others not voting. Alderman A. A.
Browne announced to the city clerk that
he wished to be recorded as present not
voting
The meeting was called to order at $50
by Mayor Cole with every member of the
council board present. The remark was
made that this was the first meeting in
many a day mt which every member of
the board answered the roll call.
Besides the council and mayor, City At
torncy Kinder. Superintendent Of Water
and Light Plant Williams, Fire Chief
Hanson. Assistant Chief Of Police Puig.
and City Secretary Villarreal were also
present.
When Mayor Cole called for reports
of standing committees he took occasion
to express the hope that the standing
-.xX Irn fpnn
reports i'm the future. He stated that
the members had shown lassitude in
this matter. which should be done away
with and that the council could keep in
better touch with the different depart
ments of the city work if the standing
committees would come up more regular
ly with their reports.
REPORT ON WATER AND LIGHT
Alderman DwOrman made a verbal and
informal report on the condition of the
water and light department taking Occa-
sion to compliment Superintendent Viii
liams for his good work in putting the
plant OH more efficient basis, for pro-
viding more pressure, for keeping the
water clearer and for efficiency in Office
work.
During the course of Mr.. DwOrman's
remarks. in reply to question from Al
derman Craig as to when the city might
expect reductions i'm water and light
rates he stated that at the rate the plant
was coming to the front now he did not
think it would be more than sixty or
ninety days before they could begin to
consider the reduction of rates on water
and that within four months it might
be possible to give a reduction OF the
rate OH lights.
Mr. DwOrman said also that he be-
lieved the city could soon do away with
the twenty five cents monthly rental foi
| light meters. He argued that the meter
would not only prove an economical In
vestment for the consumer, but it would
prove paying proposition for the CIT,
and added that "a meter meant square
deal to all concerned.
He reported also that the superlnten
dent had been able to make saving III
oil of ten per cent the last month and
with oil at the present rate, this was q
considerable saving.
He called on Superintendent William:
to make any statement he thought pro
per.
Mr.. Williams stated that the city re
ceipts for the first month of installed me
TORS u-ould show a shortage owing to the