Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-09-05
COUNCIL WON'T
RESCIND MEASURE


lContfnued From First PageI
had not been approved by the Plan
ming Commission, that the structure as
proposed would be a detriment to the
district in question, and that the pre-
cedent thus established might work
was also intimated that judicial pro
ceedings to test the legality of the
measure might follow.
Receive and File Letter
council unanim ously voted to "re-
ceive and file" the committee request
after the question had been threshed
out pro and con by Commissioners E.
Y. Gross, w. H. Lynch and w. L. Cor
gas.
Commissioner Gross intimated that
II the measure be not legal. the matter
could we'll be tested in the courts
| Council also adopted a resolution
calling the City Planning Commits
| sion's attention to the fact that the
time limit for consideration of the
plans for the proposed new Walnut
street bridge had expired and asked
that the Planners return the plans to
| Councu as soon as possible.
| Want More Time
The Planners had asked for further
time in the matter although in its COM
municatton on the subject it suggest
ed that the proposed construction, in
the Commissions opinion, was unnec-
| SoSebAJ IAdI dInpl0 1aCll1IleS IOF IlhHu-
ing the Hill traffic via the Market
street subway and the proposed bridge
at State street would be possible.
Following the adoption of this
measure Mr.. Lynch offered a resolu
ton authorizing the preparation of a
request to the Pennsylvania Public
Service Commission for a certificate of
public convenience for the proposed
viaduct-
WetzeI, Chief
Council also approved of Mayor
Meals recommendation of J. Edward
Wetzel to be chief of police tempo
rartly, to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of ]. Thomas Zeil. No sue
cessor to Wetzel who is now lieutenant
was suggested although in municipal
circles it is generally understood that
Sergeant Frank Page will succeed him.
The awarding of the paving con-
| tracts for River, Maclay, Honey and
Susquehanna streets to the Central
Construction and Supply Company by
Mr.. Lynch was approved and similar
action was taken on a contract ar
ranged between the city and Philadel-
phia and Reading railroad indemni-
| flying the city for possible damages in
cident to sewer changes made neces
sary by the construction of the Tenth
street siding crossing.
| No More Glaring Headlights
The ordinance prohibiting the use
of glaring headlights on motor We
hicles within the city limits was passed
finally. The measure becomes effec-
tive within ten days, although Mr..
Bowman wanted an extension of time
to thirty. Mayor Meals said that those
who couldn't afford the lights could
soap en-" Other ordinances passed
finally provided for the construction of
half dozen sewers on the Hill.
Discussion of the Swift e. Company
bridge measure followed the reading
of the Chamber of Commerce COM
mittee's letter.
CounciImen's Views
Commissioner Gorgas said he ques-
toned whether Council could act now
in view of the fact that the time limit
for reconsideration had expired. Com
missioner Lynch, who had introduced
the measure "by request" supported it..
IF there is growing manufactur-
ing district anywhere in town, it is at
this point, declared Mr.. Lynch, "and
L do not think we should interfere
with the progress and development of
the manufacturing section. l, for one,
can't see that there should be any OBJ
lection to it and I do not think it will
detract in any way from the surround
ing district"
Mr.. Gross made a more lengthy talk.
while do not wish" said the Park
| Commissioner, ito appear to be acting
in defiance of the City Planning Com
mission, we must remember that the
commission has no veto power, and
that because there are five men on
the planning commission and an equal
number in the personnel of the City
! Council, should it not be considered
that this question is a matter of five
mems judgment against the Judgment
of five other men?
personally. 1 don't believe the con-
struction of this bridge will detract
from the beauty of the surroundings
or the esthetic value of the section.
Inasmuch as the time for any recon-
sideration of the measure seems to
have passed, and inasmuch as the sug-
gestion has been made that the ques-
tion could be tested in the courts,
think that Council would perhaps do
well to let the legal status of the mat
ter be passed upon. l want to put my
self on record as having or wanting
nothing but the right to my own
opinion"
The Walnut street bridge problem
discussion followed the reading of this
letter from the city planners:
I'VE wish to report that the Walnut
street bridge plan was submitted to us
and after examination and discussion
on motion duly made and carried the
president was directed to inform Coun-
ell that this commission is still of the
opinion that the building of this bridge
would be a blunder from both eco
nomiC and traffic standpointS for the
reason that the widening of the Mar
ket street subway and the building of
a new bridge at State streets would
render unnecessary bridge at Walnut
street and that these two improve
ments could be made with the assist
ance of the railroad and the Common
wealth at a cost not much greater than
the cost of the Walnut street bridge.
However. if the matter before the
commission at this time is the mere
approval of the plans, we must ask for
more time in order to give you our
best opinion"
New ordinances offered to-day in
cluded the following:
BY Mr. Lynch-AuthorlZing construc-
ton of a 10-inch sewer in Manada
street from Nineteenth and Twentieth
and vacating Brown street from Fif-
teenth to Sixteenth. The vacation of
this strip of Brown street finally takes
the whole street from the map and
eliminates a bone of councilmanic con-
tention of many years.
ALLIES MAKING EFFORT