The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-21
Ser Department Men
I Iarted Work at 6 a. IN.
8 and Kept at 1t
10 HE THOUGHT
FOOD DESIRABLE
Telling of Expense. Says
He Is Saving City S1OO
per Month

!
meeting Of the Barre city council was
| enlivened last evening when Water SUI
| perintendent Ruggles appeared and
made reply to criticisms advanced by
the aldermen a week ago on sand.
| wich-and deoffee bill Of So for water
department workmen engaged in con
Meeting up the water pipe wnere new
bridge is being built on the East Barre
road and also on overtime charges in
the water department.
Water Superintendent Ruggles pre-
faced his remarks by stating that he
wished if the council had criticisms to
make it would invited him in to hear
the criticism.
Taking up the matter of expense in
the water department, the water su-
perintendent read list of figures
showing the cost of labor in the de-
partment during the past six years
and five months, together with the
average monthly cost. These figures
showed that the average monthly ex-
pense of labor in the first FIVE months
of the present year was S250.65 as<
compared with monthly expense OF /,
S25724 in 1916, S5a0l5 in 1917, $340.50
in 1918. s453.20 in 1919, s470.sa in 1920
and S392.90 in 1921 Moreover, tie
price for a foreman now is s4 per day.
compared with So in 1916 and the price
for common labor now is SO or less,
compared with $3.50 in 1916.
This year, Superintendent Ruggles
stated. the department is trying to dc
just the necessary work at the lowest
possible expense and that by letting
men go, by cooperating between the
engineering and water department and
by going out and doing some jobs him.
self he was saving the city at least
800 month.
Mayor Shield. at this point, declared
that the only criticism came up at the
last meeting and that the aldermen
would have preferred to have Mr. Rug.
giles present. if possible. to explain
the sandwich and coffee bill, Dill
which nobody seemed to know any
thing about.
Superintendent Ruggles then pro
ceeded 60 explain that bill bv saving
that it had been the custom during
overtime work TO furnish light lunches
when the men were kept continually al
a job instead of working eight hours
and then quitting. He said it was
necessary in some cases to stick 10
Job till the job was done. II had hap.
pened twice recently, once when wa
ter leak in the cellar OF hank was
TO destroy securities in the
banks basement vault and again at
the water pipe connection job on sbe
East Barre road Sunday. June 4.
In the latter case the men went "a
work at o a. m. and along about 10
he tRugglesl thought they would
work with better enthusiasm if served
4 few sandwiches and coffee; 50 the
were ordered of Smith
the Dvlgout man, near whose premises
he work was being done.
So with that explanation by the wa.
.er superintendent and by some re
marks by aldermen that they did not
wish the refreshment custom TO oe
'ome general, the matter rested.
Routine business, as already stated
vas rather dull Building permits
we're granted Emslie a Co. to build ar
addition to their greenhouse in the
lorth end of the city and to Mrs
Nary Brusa TO reshingle roof at IS
Berlin street. Application Of A. Fine
md others to build an addition to
-srage on Granite street was referred
O the fire committee.
The Montpelier & Barre Light 6
'ower Co. was given permission to sef
pole on Hill street at the intersec
ion Of Perry street.
Fireworks vendors permits we've
ranted to G. Pacetti, 5l7 North Mair
treet, j. G. Shadroui, South Msir
treet. Luke Gallagher, North Mair
treet. and TO Kendall and B. Marian
\ the open space near the Jones 4
Iall stable ON North Main street
John +. Farr's application TO be
All fireman was referred TO the fire
ommittee The applicant has passed
he examination.
Complaint about the need of a sur
sce sewer on Granite street between
he railroad track and Main street was
,ferred to the street committee and
ty engineer. Purchase of coal foi
ne city hall and fire station was con
dered but no action was taken by The
,uncil. The Central Vermont rail
,ad will be notified of the had condi'
on OF the oyerpass bridge on ~Pres.
ential fat" An order for 700 tons
crushed rock for road construction
Enosburg Falls was received and
in be acknowledged.
The following warrants were resc
I'd ordered paid; City clerk payroll
'e.07; street department payroll
,5O.ls; engineers payroll, SSo.32; wa
r department payroll, ss2ies; FIRE de
Irtment payroll, s202.70; police de
lrtment payroll. $3.50; c. l.
10Th. janitor. $50; william Murray
rs; Drown Motor Car Co, chemical
nk. s225: Houghton & Robins. $40;
,bert Christie. sl.7O; Union Clothing
mpsny, sl59a3; Cheney Paper Co
5.45. city treasurer, cash paid out
rect and water superintendents' OF.
r.. S2a.36. II. Mueller Manufactur-
? Go. slO.a4; Builders Iron foundry