Source:Mass-of-bills/content

From Pittsburgh Streets
MASS OF BILLS APPROVED BY MAYOR MAGEE
Eight Measures Passed by the Old Councils Were Vetoed

Mayor Magee signed, yesterday, 115 ordinances passed by the old select and common councils at their final meetings Monday night. He also vetoed eight measures.

The ordinance establishing a graded system of salaries for firemen was among those vetoed. The bill provided that the new system go into effect on February 1, 1911. It is claimed that there was an understanding that the date was to be changed to February 1, 1912, but councils failed to make the alterations. Is [sic] is understood that the mayor will have a similar ordinance submitted to the new small council. The mayor did not act on the ordinance grading the salaries of policemen but it is stated at his office that he may do so later.

Other measures vetoed by the mayor and the reasons he gave for his action follow:

A resolution authorizing the erection by the W. C. T. U. of a drinking fountain at Fifth and Liberty avenues, for the reason that no plans or details of the proposition had been submitted to the public works director to show the area of pavement needed or the nature of the fountain.

A resolution establishing a branch office of the city treasurer on the North Side, because the measure was not in proper form and the branch office is unnecessary.

An ordinance, re-establishing the grade of Coleman street, Fifteenth ward, for the reason that it would cause serious damage to abutting property and would result in heavy damages being assessed against the city.

An ordinance appropriating property belonging to Ledidio Grante for use as an approach to the reconstructed Larimer avenue bridge, because this and other property needed will be taken under another proceeding.

A resolution exonerating Hugh Hanlon from payment of taxes amounting to $99.44 on a vacant lot in the old Twelfth ward, because the mayor believes the matter is beyond the power of councils.

An ordinance changing the name of Foxhurst street to "Epiphany" street, because there was no reason to support the change and the constant changing of street names adds considerable cost to the city in advertising, as well as a confusion to the public.

A resolution to pay Philip Rodgers $684 for putting a hardwood floor in the second story of the South Side market house for the reason that Rodgers as lessee of the floor for a skating rink, made the improvement on his own account, and the city is not legally or equitably liable for the cost.

Among the important measures signed by Mayor Magee were the following: Authorizing the condemnation of the Cabbage Hill reservoir site; authorizing the issue of $1,065,000 councilmanic bonds to meet claims and judgments against the city; authorizing contracts relative to the abolition of the Try street grade crossing; paying $1,263.52 to the H. J. Heinz Co. for building a pest house in Allegheny during the smallpox emidemic [sic]; providing $2,000 for a temporary fire engine house in Beechview; reducing the city license fee for horse-drawn vehicles 50 per cent from the present tax; providing for the extension of Hamilton avenue and the relocating of Morewood avenue from Forbes street to Woodlawn avenue, which is a part of the beautifying plans to be carried out by the Carnegie Technical Schools; regulating automobile garages in the city; changing the name of Epiphany street to Washington place, permitting the New Era Club of Pennsylvania to erect a drinking trough at Fifth avenue and Solar street, authorizing the vacation of Roup place from Aylesboro street to Northumberland avenue; providing $30,000 for the erection of a bridge over Everett street in line with Hoeveler street; regulating the duties of plumbing inspectors and of plumbing in house; permitting contractors to use hollow tile in the construction of buildings; improvement of ball grounds in Olympia and McKinley Parks, and construction of shelter houses in Olympia and McKinley Parks.