NO BIRD HOUSE FOR ZOO.
Upper House Wants Street Sweepers'
Pay Raised First.
The upper house of the council last night defeated an ordinance appropriating $25,000 from funds unappropriated for the building of a bird house for a zoo at Swope park. Aldermen W. C. Culbertson and Isaac Taylor led the opposition tot he measure, their particular complaint being that it is wrong for the city to spend money providing pleasure for the rich and not provide funds to raise the pay of street sweepers from $1.75 to $2 a day.
"This ordinance reminds me of the man who cannot pay his grocery and doctor bills, but can afford to buy and wear diamonds," said Alderman Culbertson.
"Also," interrupted Taylor, who is a tailor, "like the man who lets his tailor's bill go unpaid and buys diamonds -- and that's where I am the sufferer. I love the birds and monkeys, but I love my fellow man who pushes the broom the best."
"Culbertson made a flowery speech here two weeks ago about his love for the street sweeper, and he promised to introduce an ordinance advancing the laborer's pay, but I have failed to see anything of it. Words count something but acts count more."
"I'll introduce the ordinance before this house adjourns tonight," retaliated Culbertson.
"Do it. I'll vote for it," promised Eaton.
The park board has accepted the lowest bid for the construction of the first building for the zoo in Swope park. The bid is about $23,000 and the board is to furnish the stone for foundations.
