One Man, Five Badges, One Dollar a Month

The house of delegates went into special session yesterday afternoon to practically abolish the office of plumbing inspector, and agreed on an ordinance to be introduced at next Monday night's meeting placing upon that officer, in addition to his present duties, the duties of sanitary inspector, fire marshal, oil inspector and probably market inspector. The decision was reached after the delegates had discussed the plumbing inspector for nearly two hours. The meeting commenced at 2:10 o'clock with President Crichton presiding. The delegates present were James, Voigt, Gleeson, Little, Hard, Kistler and Chapman.

James, having at last Monday night's meeting given notice of reconsideration of the ordinance passed by the aldermen reducing the salary of the plumbing inspector to $1 a month — a measure aimed at the practical annihilation of the office — moved to reconsider. The motion was seconded and carried.

Gleeson said the sewer committee was thoroughly familiar with the duties of the plumbing inspector, and as its chairman he was satisfied that there was no more need for one in this city at the present time than there is for another fireboat or the fifth wheel to a wagon. His experience had been that a plumbing inspector does not give the public the necessary relief. If a property owner wants a good piece of plumbing done he wants to employ a plumber who is on bad terms with the inspector; where a plumber 'stands in' with the plumbing inspector, a poor job will be the result.

Kistler favored placing the duties of sanitary officer and market inspector on the plumbing inspector and giving him a fair salary. Chapman could not see where the city was going to save anything by practically abolishing the office. It might reduce expenses a few dollars a month, but in the end the city would suffer. He recalled that when the plumbing inspector scheme came up a year ago the chairman of the sewer committee referred to the position as one of the most important in the entire city government.

Gleeson said that at last Monday night's meeting of the council there was an alleged crack plumber in the lobby — a member of the union — who did a job for him while the city had an inspector, and charged him nearly $100. It was a miserable piece of work. Long before the city ever had a plumbing inspector, Gleeson said, he paid $70 for a job, and a better quality of work was never performed in the city.

Little said he wanted it understood that he was tired of paying officials to perform duties and then have them neglect their work. Crichton expressed the opinion that it would be bad policy to neglect the duties required of a plumbing inspector, though there was no question but that the duties were not being properly looked after at the present time. Voigt believed it would be better to abolish the office of market inspector and put his duties on the plumbing inspector, as the latter should be thoroughly competent to look after them.

The combining of the duties of the various offices met with the approval of all present, and it was agreed that such an ordinance should be prepared by the sanitation committee and brought in at the next meeting.

The city treasurer submitted his report for the month of March, showing the money on hand, including that in the vault and on deposit in the banks, to be upwards of $71,000. A communication from the Front Street Cable Railway Company called the council's attention to the fact that Front street at the foot of Madison, University and Seneca streets is in a dangerous condition and that much damage will result unless immediate steps are taken; it was referred to the board of aldermen. A petition presented nearly a year ago asking that the water system be extended to Odd Fellows cemetery was referred to a committee with instructions to bring in an ordinance, the committee to be satisfied that it will bring the city an estimated revenue of $25 to $35 a month.

An ordinance was passed regulating the licensing of dogs running at large, fixing the annual license at $5 for male dogs and $10 for female dogs, and requiring an owner to pay $1 and take out a license before an animal could be released from the pound. Heretofore, the delegates noted, the position of dog catcher has been a very profitable one, paying from $70 to $100 a month. Among other ordinances passed: authorizing the mayor to expend $500 as he shall deem best in the interest of the poor; authorizing coverings over the water tanks of the city; extending the time for the improvement of Kenney street; prohibiting the use of bells, horns or other instruments to give notice of public auctions; and authorizing the board of public works to advertise for bids for feeding city prisoners. A concurrent resolution compelling the Union Trunk line to run cars to Beacon Hill as provided in its franchise was also passed.