Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-06

Council was probably one of the most
interesting that that body has held
in some time and probably more in
formation and facts were given the
members than ever before at any one
meeting. In fact, one councilman
made the remark that he had learn
ed more of the city's affairs at that
meeting that he had ever been able
to learn before This is encouraging
10 the public because they like to
know what there is to know about
city matters.
Present at the meeting were Mayor
Protein w H. Bowers, Councilmen
Holt, Wiltshire, Cline and Wolford,
Recorder Zirkle. Collector Lamar,
City Attorney Downs, Water Supt.
shaffer, Fire Chief Quinn and City
Engineer Sparrow.
Porter Ave. Discussed.
MI. Jacob Sites appeared for infor-
nation relative to the ownership of
the south end of Porter avenue. 1t
seems that when he bought the prop
erty that abuts on Porter avenue, he
believed that the street had been
dedicated to public use by those lay
ing off that subdivision but that since
then, deeds have been made to pri-
yate persons which include the
street, This was referred to the City
Attorney to secure information.
Mr.. T. Flagg Elchelberger also ap
peared again relative to the water in
the street before his Porter Ave. prop
erty. The condition here is deplorable
and the city attorney advised Mr..
Eichelberber that arrangements had
been made by the Engineer to relieve
this as speedily as possible, probably
within the next two weeks.
Curb Forfeit
The council has been holding back
ten per cent of the cost OF the King
street curbing from the contractors
to insure the completion of the work.
Last night it agreed to return half
Of this to one of the contractors pro
piding the other contractor agreed
to finish the work.
The Scavenger Business
Ono Of the very important matters
that came before the council was
brought up by Collector Lamar. He
stated that under the present sys-
tenn of handling the scavenger work
Of the city, about s725 more had
been paid to the scavengers than
the city had received from the prop
erty owners where the work was
done. Mr.. Lamar also stated that in
nearly every case where a bill was
sent out. there was dispute of some
kind and that the present plan was
not only expensive to the city but
that it also took up more time than
did any other department of the city
work. The figures presented to the
council showed that while the city
has paid the scavengers about $1,000
II had only received about $475 from
the property owners.
Council ordered every effort to be
made to collect the outstanding &C
counts for this service and then set
about finding remedy which they
succeeded in doing in the form of an
ordinance which passed its first read
ing last night.
The substance of the ordinance is
that the city through the health and
police department shall have power
to order closets cleaned when they
deem it necessary, that if the prop
erty owner does not attend to the
matter within Ave days, the city
shall arrest and fine the party. Also
that all scavenger work shall be I'M
der the supervision of the city for
sanitary purposes but that the scav
enger shall collect for his work di'
iectly from the party interested and
not from the city. Such work to be
paid cash by the property owner.
This should be much more satisfac'
tory for the property owner and
much cheaper for the city.
Light At X. D. Hospital
At the request of the Kings Dau-
ghters' Hospital, which complained
OF the noise, ETC., emanating from
Spring street near the rear of the
hospital, a light was ordered placed
there which will tend to make 1t
less Of a loafing place for the kids.
That Electric Pump
Supt. Shaffer brought up the mat
ter of@'tha electric pump which the
bond issue provided should be plac'
Cd at the water works. He was re-
uuested to get bids for such equip
meht and report back to the council
a, the next meeting.