Grand Rapids Herald

COURTS ARE TO SAY
How Much Authority the Council Possesses
IN ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS

Mandamus Proceedings to Be Begun Against the Board of Public Works to Test a Point.

"Are ye lookin' for your desk?" was the war cry of the aldermen as they charged about the council chamber last night immediately before Mayor Stuart called the council to order. During the past two weeks decorators have been at work in the council chamber and the desks of the aldermen had become misplaced. As the key to one desk will not fit any other desk there was a lively scampering about the room each alderman hunting for a lock to fit the key in his possession.

Residents on West street asked for a sewer. Referred to the committee on sewers.

The Gamewell Fire Alarm Manufacturing company warned the city against purchasing goods from the Municipal Fire Alarm company, which it claims has infringed on the Gamewell patent. Referred to the board of police and fire commissioners.

Joseph Houseman asked the council to allow three poor men to peddle for a pro rata charge for the balance of the year. He represented that he was going to pay for the licenses for these men that they might earn an honest living. A motion to grant the petition was lost by a vote of 8 to 11.

The secretary of the Children's home asked that the society be relieved from a sewer tax. Referred to the committee on ways and means.

Comptroller's Report.

The comptroller reported bills calling for sums from the various funds as follows:

General fund $911
Fire department fund $by
Police department fund $lis H
Poor department fund
Street fund 13
Superior court fund 17
Justice court fund
Park fund 2
John Ball park fund
Lincoln park fund
Bridge fund Ia
Cemetery fund ny
Valley City cemetery fund 3.6
Greenwood cemetery fund 7 (u)
Fire hydrant fund
Second bazaar fund
Third highway fund
Fourth highway fund 11
Fifth highway fun-L 63
Sixth highway fund
Seventh highway fund
Eighth highway fund
Ninth highway 1a
UNSORAAKAY
Tenth highway fund
Eleventh highway and second sewer district fund 13
Sidewalk relief fund 10 'U
Waterworks fund
Waterworks income fund 24 n3
Total warrants $13,225 37
Special improvements 902 61
Grand total $2,297 98

The report was adopted.

Bonds Reported Sold.

City Treasurer Sorrick reported the sale of the Bond street improvement bonds placed in his hands for sale. Passed.

City Treasurer Sorrick asked for instructions regarding settlement with the county treasurer. He was ordered to refuse to settle on the basis proposed by the county treasurer.

City Treasurer Sorrick presented a complete statement of the condition of the various street improvement funds, which was ordered printed.

Stopped a High Priced Contract.

The contract for improving Paris avenue was tabled on motion of Alderman Gilden. He said the engineer's estimate of the cost was too high and the contract came in higher. The people on Paris avenue do not wish to go to so great an expenditure at present.

The special committee to which was referred the petition of J.M. Weston to have a tree in front of his property on North Division street recommended that the petition be denied and that the tree be cut down at once.

On recommendation of the aldermen of the fourth ward the Grand Rapids Brewing company was given permission to lay a pipe from Rusterer's spring north of Bridge street to the Rusterer brewery.

Sidewalk bills were ratified and McDowell street opening.

Furniture east improvement. Bostwick street water, Farmer avenue sewer.

Writ of Mandamus Against the Board.

Alderman Steuart called up the report of the board of public works wherein he had refused to proceed with the improvement of South Ionia street according to the dictation of the board. Mr. McGrath moved that the city attorney be instructed to begin mandamus proceedings to compel the board of public works to proceed under the order of the council. The city attorney was called for his opinion. Mayor Steuart said the mandamus proceedings be commenced. He says the board of public works had not asked nor received an opinion from him on the subject. Mr. McGrath's motion was carried almost unanimously.

On motion of Alderman Campbell, George W. Taylor was ordered to place fire escapes on his factory on the east side of Canal street, south of Bridge street. Those escapes are first erected before August 15 proceedings will be begun in court to enforce the order of the council. It is now more than one year since the first attempt was made to get Mr. Taylor to place escapes on the building.

HEARD EX-CHIEF.

Miss Field Well Pleased With Ex-Chief McLaughlin's Ideas.

Miss Emma Field, who was at Mack's hall Sunday and heard ex-Chief McLaughlin address the assembly of "The Cause of Crime," is very enthusiastic on the utterances of the ex-chief of Chicago's police force. She said she attributed more crimes to gambling than is commonly done. He urged the necessity of good healthy labor for prisoners to perform them. When warden of Joliet prison he had seen prisoners weep on departing from the prison on battle with the world again. In regard to the duties of a police man he said it would pay if there was not one dope than sue for ale prime in a year but a man to be a letter he. It is probable that the lady society will attempt to get Mr. McLaughlin to come to Grand Rapids and give a lecture on crime and their causes.