The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-11
NEWS OF STEELTON
AUTO FIRE TRUCK asked
FOR PAxTANC COMPANY
Councilman Sellers, Chairman Town
Property Committee, Introduced the
Subject and Recommended Trucks,
Instead Of Horses

At the May meeting Of the borough
council, held last evening, the purchase
of an auto FIRE truck for the Paxtang
Hook and Ladder Company was pre-
sented by Alfred Sellers, chairman of
the town property committee, and a
committee to look into the matter will
soon be appointed by President Reyn'
ders.
Both the horses owned by the
"Hookies'' are unfit for use owing to
sickness. Sellers also urged the use of
auto trucks in the removal of garbage,
instead of the use of horses, which has
been the custom since the borough was
Incorporated.
The shade tree commission was given
an appropriation at the instance of the
finance committee last night. This
money will be furnished at the dis
eretion of the finance committee and
will not exceed 5000. While the COM
mission has the power to levy tax
of one-tenth of mill for its expenses
il WAS let down by council month
ago with money enough to pay for a
printing bill, which would amount to
about $50.
The finance committee last night
recommended that an appropriation of
$4,000 be made for improvements to
one of the filter beds. This filter has
been leaking So0,000 gallons of water
each day at cost TO the borough of
$500 a year. The appropriation was
passed.
The water board reported last
night on the delinquent and uneolleet-
ed water rents brought to its notice
some time ago by the borough auditors.
The uneolleeted rents were classified
as follows: Bills placed in the hands
of the solicitor, s2S1.6S; liens enter
ed, SS.S5; generations, S5S5.42, of
which S97.42 are questionable, leaving
balance OF s4SS gendine exonera-
tions, covering principally bills that
were rendered in error. Until May l of
the present year s767 of the total
delinquent rents had been collected. 4
motion was passed exhonerating the
department from the collection of the
s4SS, and these bills will be erased
from the books.
A supplement to the street lighting
ordinance was passed on frst reading
for three additional lights in the First
ward
Chairman Capslla, of the sanitary
committee, commended the borough
authorities for the work done during
cleanup week. and recommended
that a building code be put in force
so that conditions such as exist in the
famous "Bear Pit would be eliminat-
ed, along with other nuiSanees and
situations that are dangerous from the
standpoint of fire protection. He rec
commended a sewer inlet at Myers and
Franklin streets and an additional
sewer in the West Side along the Read
ing railroad,
The chief of police, highway COM
missioner and the plumbing inspector
will make a thorough inspection of the
borough for defects in sidewalks ami
otheE Objectionable conditions that
are TO De taken care of by the owners
of property where they occur.
Another request for the wiping out
of the bear Pit was made by the
burgess for j. Wilson Walek. who owns
a large part of the property there.
Councilman Caoella presented a mo-
ing the duties of secretary to the Board
of Health, plumbing inspector and seere-
tary TO the sanitary committee at a
salary of SIS per month. Former Coun-
Gilman Edward Lewis was recently
made secretary to the Board of Health
and Plumbing Inspector at a salary of
$40 per month.
Councilman Nelley objected to the
motion and said that as the borough
now has a health officer, whose duties
are similar to those that would be ex.
peeted of the holder of the new office.
no added expense should be put on the
borough and that one man should handle
all of the work. The health officer now
receives salary of $50 a month. Att
er a lengthy discussion the matter was
settled by passing the motion of Coun-
Gilman Henderson that beginning July
l the Board of Health shall be limited
TO SIS month for salaries. This action
means that after the stipulated time
there will be one man employed by the
Health Board as its officer. secretary,
plumbing inspector and secretary to the
sanitary committee.
Burgess Wig6eld again showed Coun-
ell the necessity for a reserve force of
police. Since the opening of the Hills
eamraign, he said, it has required three
patrolmen to handle the crowds there
and the town has been left during the
hours Of the service there under the
protection Of a single officer. No def
mite action followed mis- statements.
A special cell for women prisoners
to be arranged in the lookup and some
small Improvements in the police office
winch were held up last month were au-
thorized last night.
Aid will be asked from the State
for the paving of the section of high
way located in South Front street, be-
tween the stone quarries and the upper
limit of the borough of Highspire
An appropriation of s25 was last
night made to the G. A. R. to defray its
Memorial Day expenses.
The finance committee was author
lied to adjust a claim for damages
made against the borou IN through in
iuries sustained by an aged lady in a
fall on Lincoln street. Another sim
liar claim through an accident on Ridge
stEeet was put in the hands Of the same
committee.