South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-13
Reporters Urged to Take Seat
and Hear Discussions Con-
Cerning PubIiC'S Business
New Precedent for Admins
trati0n.
SOUTH SHORE PAVING
is OF WRONG QUALITY
Open Way for Harmon Coal
People to Build Sheds and
Resume Business in South.
Bend.

Right there in the open. just as
though the public gaze were nothing
TO fear. public knowledge of official
doings a right rather than a privilege.
and even representatives of the press
being invited TO sit and listen without
restrictions not to print, Mayor Kel-
lers board of public works established
a new precedent in publicity for the
present administration at its morning
session Tuesday.
It all came without anticipation. ye
reporter approaching the session room
unannOunced and without realizing
that anything was going on inside
until he had entered. Then observing
the board about the table, memory
recalled the anathemas SO recently
hurled at mere reporters for butting-
in. and he was about to run. when
Member Rice stayed the retreat by
mOtioning out a chair.
The board was discussing collection
from the South Shore Traction Co, of
the cost of paving between their
tracks on Main St, recently relaid,
and incidentally. the fact that the
same kind of pavement had not been
relaid as was torn mp; this, according
20 Clerk Perley. contrary to the or
ders of the old board.
Under the franchise of the South
Shore. as explained by City. Atty.
Seebirt, the city can require the com
pany to bear the expense of such pave
ment between and out 10 II inches be-
yOnd their tracks but the pavement
laid not having been approved. and
not being of the asphalt quality re-
quired by the board, definite action
was not taken. The South Shore
might vet be required TO take up the
brick pavement and replace it with
asphalt, when the weather again per-
mits.
Rubs Fur OF the Coal Dealers.
The board may also nave rubbed the
fur of local retail coal dealers a bit
TO the rough Tuesday by confirming
an assessment roll for the vacation
OF an alley ~ kaufmans addition
that viii enable the Harmon Coal Co.
of Chicago, 10 build coal sheds at its
Yards and resume activity here.
The coming of the Harmon people
10 South Bend was heralded with con-
siderable noise a little over a year
ago. and was answered by loud pro-
tests from coal dealers already here. !
The newcomers secured yards and
opened an office, but were unable to /
build sheds that would enable them TO .
use a Lake Shore siding because the |
Lake Shore didn't want the sheds and |
would not concede an avenue OF ap- /
roach
Use OF Kaufman alley. according to |
Atty. A. +. Martin, representing the /
Harmon people was the only alterna- |
tive. but the matter has been held up |
now for a year, the coal retailers IN |
sisting. though the money. $50, has
long been on deposit 20 pay for the /
ground. It is a strip by 60 feet, and 4
the Harmon company enabled to build /
sheds where il can fill them direct =
from the cars. without rehandling, |
Will be doing business in South Bend /
a gain before Ions.
VIII Supervise Poles.
Upon advise from Thomas II. Bean i
ing. superintendent of police and fire
alarms. that the Indiana x Michigan
Electric Go. IS erecting some poles IN
the city without requisiuOn, he was ,
directed by he board 10 see 10 II that
no more poles are erected until a /
permit is had from the board. The I
is TO keep them of the street .
as much as possible. and especially I
in positions that do not interfere with |
the police and fire alarm wires.
In the instance mentioned requi-
sition had been issued subject 20
Reaning's approval. which he did not
approve, and following his suggestion
as TO a change of location, the COM
pany was going on without having the
renewed the violation be-
ing largely technical
Another matter which the board
took up. and which is 20 be looked into
/
have telephones in their homes at
the expense of the city.
The franchises IF both telephone
companies provide Tor a certain num-
ber OF telephones fer municipal use,
at the city hall and department Of
fees and the Bell franchise further
provides that the common council may
shower telephones upon all city en-
plcyes. or as many as IL likes at a re-
duced rate Of . . per cent the city 10
pay the bills
No telephones for residences at the
expense OF the city. seemed 10 be the
attitude OF the board. unless the COM
mon council goes over its head. Clerk
PerIey has been requested 20 provide
the board with a list OF all the telc-
phones in use by the city, under the !.
franchise. cr Ior rent.
Approval OF the contract bond OF
r.. H Defrees. FOR S501, FOR building
brick pavement on Pine ST. and Otta-
wa court. together with the approval
of some bills and other routine work.
constituted the other Business OF the
Session.