The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-27
q bsIng exempt FROM Improyenen. tas !.

Of being exempt from improvement tar,
in other words exempt from paying other
peoples taxes.
Parties interested in property could Sc.
lect with positive knowledge OF what
: the improvement tax would be, and Il
they desired unimproyed property they
could select 1t, knowing that they had no
special tax to pay from which they need
expect no direct benefit.
The objections urged against this sys-
tenn are: First, that the tax being as
sessed per foot front Is unjust, as some
property Is more valuable than other, and
as such, should pay more than It's portion
Of the cost computed on the front.
We answer that It Is the only equitable
y way to collect this kind OF tax; II Is the
simplest way, not open TO the errors in
valuation or benefit assessment. And as
arule, VIC may say that the most objec-
tionable location on q street, and conse-
quent least valuable (per foot 'front.' de-
riyes the greatest percentage OF benefit
from improvement. We may further say
that the value OF city property increases
and decreases nearly as the front increases
and decreases.
The improvements on AUDITING prop
erty should pay no part Of this tax. They
are temporary at best and may DO swept
away mt any time, but the land remains TO
still be benefited by good street, and
further the benefits derived, are generally
in proportion TO the front. But allowing
the objection to DO well taken, and the
system Is still much better than the one in
use, as the present system collects I'M
proyement tax from all OF the property in
the city and large portion Of this prop
erty in side streets and out wards derives
no benefit, and il the system Is continued
they cannot hope 10, during the present
generation, as necessity compels certain
streets to be kept up, and the most oil them
require renewal.
i The second objection, that as some
streets, owing to heavy traffic do not last
as long as others, and for this reason the
city at large should build them. This is a
long since exploded objection. As expert
ence has shown that IN case a street Is go
situated that it is subjected to a heavy
traffic and that this traffic does not add
anything to the earning capacity OF the
sist in paying the expenses to tho extent
vi NetH Vftl LuS htCiaSO Vi okACl
streets. This can only occur where the
heavy loads are hauled over residence
street. 1t has been found that in the BUSH
ness portion OF all cities the cost OF good
streets kept in repair is IN about the same
ratio to earnings OF property. In other
words where great amount OF business is
transacted rents are high, and vice versa.
Ii Wheeling has any streets that should
require assistance the test OF time will GER |
tainiy show what ones they are, and the |
matter will then have to be adjusted as
many other tax problems are.
Others object thatunder this system the
manufacturer does not pay as much as he
should, being one OF tho class that use the
improved streets the most' II is impossi-
bic for any system to reach all classes, un-
less we return to the old toll gate system.
The manufacturer will be one OF the first
to avail himself OF good street and pay
his pro rata. But the present system im-t
poses an improvement tax, but does not
furnish him the road. AS many OF them
cannot avail themselves Of the little good
road we have in the city, and this can be
said Of large portion Of the people paying
this tax.
The objection urged against the change
is, that as portion OF The city has been
improved by the general levy, they Those
on unimproved streets) desire To continued
in order to get even. This ia certainly a |
very natural way oflooking at the matter
but have they computed the number Of
years twill require at the present rate OF
progress? There has considerable work
been done this season-yet to be paid for.
Then every cobbie stone pavement in the
city requires immediate renewal, and to |
make good streets new materials must be |
used. This will require all the fund.- that
can be raised under the present system for |
some years to come, so that the immediate
prospects OF therebeing any improvements
made in outlying portions OF the city are
not flattering, and unless change is made
those unimproved portions can again con-
tribute to the rebuilding OF these old
streets.
liza change should be made now, we do
not see that any streets excepting those
lately paved would have the advantage to
any great extent over unimproved streets
AS in most cases the streets are SO nearly
worn ont that they are OF little value, and
the conditions are probably as favorable
now as they ever will be, for the change
10 be made.
Would It not be well for the people to
thoroughly investigate this matter Before
asking any special legislation. The prac.
investigated in the city of Cleveland, Ohio,
where it has been used for fifteen years.
The sewerage system should be. treated
something in the same way, only tho city
should be divided into sewerage districts
and the application in this csso would be
more extended, as main lines should be
built by tho abutting property along the
street through which it is laid assisted by
all OF the property along the lines OF every
lateral sewer draining into it; and The tax
should be assessed in tho same way and
tho amount could DO accurately deter
mined from o well digcsted plan Of the
entire system, 1t appears 10 have been
the policy Of the city in the past to build
It's improvements first and make plans and
estimates oil cost after the work Is com.
pleted. This way cannot DO relied on as a
rule to give good results, or satisfaction,
as any extension or addition requires
more or less patch work.
Now, in view OF all OF the facts would IL |
not be well for the city to disContinne the
"rule Of thumb" plan and initiate tho ex-
ample OF our cities that have fne improve,
ments, viz: Make plans and estimates Of
all improvements in advance Of construc-
ton. Use only such materials as time
and experience have shown TO be the best
for the purpose. Manipulate these
materials in the beat way known to en-
cheering science, and marked change
in the general appearance Of the city will
DO the result The time has passed away
Wntsied materials at the expense Of the
public, R.
Whseli,g, January 90.
Do YOU wish freedom from aches, pains,
sores, etc., Then purify tho blood,