Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-14

the absolute suppression of vice and
immortality, but we have aimed par
ticularly to suppress 1t to point
where the securing of information
and convicting evidence Is extremely
difficult" He stated also that in every
case where sufficient evidence could
be secured arrests were made and
the violatorS punished. He mention
ed a so the efforts of the police to
stop gambling.
Praising the men on the present
police force. even though 1t is a
known fact to the public that gov
ernment authorities did not call
upon Harrisburg patrolmen to aid
in disorderly house raids, the mayor
said he is certain every officer is do
ing his best. In speaking of the SAL
ary increases granted to the police
and other city employees the increas-
ed cost of living is mentioned.
Need of a Clerk
The work of the bureau of law in
connection with legal proceedings in
the Hardscrabble. fight Is considered
and the solicitor and assistant are
praised for their work. A brief re-
view of the number of property own
ers affected in the North Front street
district is included.
4NSCo VI a ClSih II III lliC ObiSS VI IihC
bureau of weights and measures is
urgent, Mayor Keister stated, as fire.
quently persons call at the office. but
the inspector Is out making trips
over the city. The curb market which
was started at Kelker street, met
with only moderate success and has
been discontinued.
Although there has been a big
improvement in realty assessments
this year, the mayor expressed the
opinion that with the triennial re-
vision the valuations still are not
high enough in some places and as a
result they are not entirely just and
equitable. The creation of the office
of assistant city assessor met with
his approval and the hope is express
ed that when the next revision Is
made about two years from now mis-
takes now existing can be corrected.
Streets Kept Clean
The part the city highway depart
ment will have in carrying out the
Capitol Park extension work, includ-
ing paving of North Third street, has
been considered by the chief execu-
tive after he praised the good con-
dition in which the streets are kept
and the efficient street cleaning
force. Referring to the park work,
the statement made follows: "It is
indeed gratifying to know that Har-
risburg's representatives in the pres
ent session of the State Legislature
/ Will be in a position to state to that
body that this city is ready to do her
part in the further development
work and has made adequate appro-
priations to carry out the program of
the State Department for the coming
year."
Water department statistics for
the year have been included showing
that the total pumpage during 1918
was S,779, 9,535,300 gallons; pumped
from the old reservoir to covered
reservoir, 64,53S,S1S gallons; daily
average time run of pumps 22 hours,
o minutes amount of coal used, 49,
217,656 pounds.
Water Facilities
A review of the past years work
has been made with reference to the
rate revision after recommendations
We're made by ]. w. Ledoux, Phila-
delphia; improvements at filter
plant, purchase of the Fourteenth
ward mains; the water shortage ear
ly last year when one of the pumps
was out of service and installation
OF the new electric pump.
The mayor pointed to the possi-
bility of an early necessity for re-
modelling and rebuilding the pump
ing station and the provision of ad-
dltional reservoir facilities. He rec
commended the employment of an ex-
pert water superintendent to have
charge of the bureau under the di-
rectlon or the superintendent of
public safety.
Better housing conditions and
|
evidence of the fact was furnished.
the mayor explained, by the small
poX and influenza epidemics during
1918. He urged early action which
VIII result in the erection of a suit,
able contagious disease hospital and
revision of city building laws.
The Ash Problem
Referring to the unsatisfactory
ASH and garbage collections during
the ten-year contract period which
ended last February, the change in
the system is explained, the Mayor
stating he hoped the present bureau
OF ash and garbage inspection would
be able to solve the problem of Civ
ing satisfactory service. He advo-
Gated, the early passage of a law
which would permit third-class cities
to own and operate their own equip
hleHI lor Collect1On work.
The satisfactory city lighting sys-
tenn is discussed, together with a
brief review of the police and fire
alarm telegraph system and the ex-
tensions in the Fourteenth ward.
While no new work of any account
could be done in the city parks, the
work of that department in main
tanning them Is praised. Mayor Keis-
ter mentioned the possibility of an
early decision on the location of the
Donate statuary, The Dance of
Eternal Spring" The large crowds
using the parks, and the excellent
work done each year on the play
grounds brings worthy and merited
commentator to those who are di-
rectly responsible for them.
City's Fire Hazards
Taking up the important fire pro-
lection measures, a suggestion is
made that every possible effort be
made to prevent the accumulation
of rubbish in buildings and yards
and Council is asked to consider the
advisability of employing an assist
ant engineer and inspector to make
regular inspections of cellars, yards
and defective chimneys.
The complete motorization of the
department has been mentioned, to-
gether with the probability of the
need for a new company in the Four
teenth ward. The purchase of coal
and gasoline by competitive bidding