Source:Firemen-get-no-increase
"Firemen get no increase: Mayor Magee vetoes bill to raise salaries: No money, he asserts: Eight measures are killed; 126 signed." Pittsburg Post, June 1, 1911, pp. 1, 4. Newspapers.com 86506085, 86506092.
Mayor Magee yesterday signed 126 ordinances and vetoed eight, practically cleaning up the big grist of measures passed by councils at the farewell meeting last Monday night. The mayor will leave the city to-day for a short rest and will likely attend the convention of the National Civic association at New York the last of this week.
The most important ordinance on which the mayor swung his official ax was that of fixing the salaries of firemen. As the bill passed councils it provided that the graded system of pay specified should become effective February 1, 1911. It is said councils agreed to make the date February 1, 1912, but failed to do so. His opinion in the matter is that there is no appropriation for the current year to cover the increases entailed by the ordinance. It is understood he favors an ordinance similar to the bill vetoed and will endeavor to have the matter taken up by the new council.
POLICEMEN BILL IS NOT SIGNED.
Mayor Magee did not sign the bill providing a progressive system of pay for policemen, but it is said he may do so later. If not, he probably will have a new ordinance introduced in the council to be appointed by Governor Tener, covering both the salaries of policemen and firemen.
Mayor Magee vetoed a resolution to pay Philip Rodgers $684 for putting a hard wood floor in the second story of the Southside market house. He gives as his 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.
Other measures vetoed by the mayor and the reasons for each veto 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 Northside, 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.
Cabbage Hill Reservoir Site to Be Condemned.
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.
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 epidemic.