The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-28
SCHM|D7'S REPORT
ON STREET WORK
Annual Report Of Commissioner Of
Streets and Public Inn
provements 10
Adopted.
WORK OF DEPARTMENT
Policy Of Department Has Been to
Repair Old Streets and
Keep Down
Expenses.
WORK OF DEPARTMENT

The report Of F. T. F. Schmidt,
commissioner Of streets and public
| improvement, was submitted to the
city council today and approved by
that body. The report shows what
work has been done under this de
jpartment during the year ending April
I3C.
! Following is the report in fun.
To the honorable mayor and city
council OF the city OF keokuk:
The activities of my department
for the year 1915, have been reported
in the city engineers report in fun
detail and the citizens of the city ara
invited to judge the same as to the
/ real value it involves. The extent OF
this report is to enumerate what has
been accomplished, and for ready
reference l give you below some OF
the work which has been performed
Repairs to streets and other street
expenditures, not including new work
amounted to s17,275.21.
1t has been my aim to repair and
keep up old streets, rather than re-
new. them. thus keeping down ex-
penditures both on the part of the
city and OF its citizens, and by de-
grees bringing the old streets of the
city Of Keokuk into the best possible
condition.
The cost Of renewing and repair
ing crossings amounted to s553.S9.
Sidewalks including sidewalk In
spector and repairs, $73574.
Bridges including trestles. s1,1lO.57.
Our bridge work consisted mostly
of repairs to the Fifth street bridge,
which were necessary to put it on
safety basis.
Oak lumber for street crossings
was purchased amounting to S4l2.9o.
On account of opening new street
at Twenty-first, and Palean, We ex-
pended on the Peterson house for a
new foundation, moving house. paper
ing house and water service s345.SS.
Oiling Anschutz hill, $493.S0.
Cost Of fence alongside of same,
s20S. 90.
Both of the above were absolutely
necessary to avoid possible accidents
which might have cost the city IN
damages more than the amount eH-
pended.
The total expense of Rand park
amounted to ss,001.67. l''
Included in this amount is repairs
to driveways in said park by putting
crushed stone on same, S1,153.5S, cost
of plants s45S.OC, rebuilding and
painting music stand s97.G5.
Paving brick tester, S177.oO.
This tester enables us to test the
quality of brick put in by the con-
tractors throughout the city in new
construction work.
We purchased five new wheelers,
six drags and other scraper sup
plies, amounting to S253.40.
Occasional criticism is offered by
citizens that their respective sections
Of the city do not get the dement's to
which they are entitled. These crit
iicisms when made in the spirit o.
fairness rather seek to bring about
a more equitable expenditure OF
funds, and are always welcomed be-
cause they bring to our attention
many differences which by conference
and exchange of views can be ad-
iusted to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned. Very many criticisms, how
ever, are made without even an ap-
proximate knowledge of the real facts
in the case and are without much
justification. We have, however, en-
deavored to be perfectly. fair in such
matters.
7 wish to express to the other mem
bers of the council my appreciation
of the many courtesies bestowed up
on me, NV connection with the city
has been one of constant pleasure,
made so by your splendid co-opera.
ton and support. / also recognize to
the fullest degree the value Of faith
full service rendered by my assist
ants and the harmonious and pains
taking cooperation of the employees
of nv department, for all of which 1
am duly grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK T. F. SCHMIDT,
Superintendent of the Department Of
Streets and Public Improvement.