Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-20
CURLING AND GUTrERING.
Report OF Appraisers for Two Miles Of the
Same, Approved.

Report OF Appraisers for Two Miles Of the
Same. Approved.
The special meeting of the city council,
| was called for yesterday afternoon, to hear
| objections to the assessments made by the
committee appointed to distribute the ex-
expense of curbing and guttering, recently
completed, and also OF that ordered by the
council. The cost of this work has been
| assessed, not at so much per foot, but upon
! basis, that the committee considered
more equitable one. The idea adopted,
| was that all of the lots in each half Of
block should constitute separate district,
| in paying for the work. This was the plan
adopted not only because the cost of the
work in front Of the lots would be gradu-
ated in proportion with the height and
thickness of the curb, but also sfor the
reason that the relative locations Of differ
ent lots, made difference in their values.
No difference was made on account of the
improvements, the law only contemplate
ing the ground value Of the property bene-
fitted. The total amount of the assess
ment placed in this way, upon all of the
lots in a half block, was divided by
the total cost of such portion of
the work, as is placed in front of the block.
Under the law the work done at the cor
ners and also at the intersections and
under street crossings is borne by the city.
The cost upon private property for this
improvement is assessed on lots half way
through that particular block, measuring
at right angle from the line of the curb
ing and guttering, to be paid for. because
the surface of one half of the block is,
- Il ;,,3a ha
cutters.
The curbing and guttering under con-
sideration is almost two miles in length.
Since all of this was ordered nearly one
mile more of the same sort "a cement COM
position forming an. artificial stone) has
also been let.
There have been some questions asked
by many of the property owners in front
of whose lots the material has been either
of an inferior grade, or improperly put
down. For their information, it should be
stated, that the contract between the city
and the contractors stipulates that the
work is to be done under warranty to
last given time and the city and property
owners are not even to pay for any portion,
which the city engineer does not accept.
Also, the work must be renewed, if within
the time guaranteed, it should prove de-
fective. Some portions of the work put in
this winter have failed to prove salts
factory in composition, but this defect is
attributed wholly TO the fact that the
material was mixed in too warm state
and upon being placed in position cooled
too quickly, which now causes the sur
face, in many portions of the city, to scale
and look soft The city has the work
guaranteed and the contractors in turn
have a guarantee from the manufacturers
of the preparation. The latter have al
ready assured the city authorities that
they will renew the parts which the city
has refused to accept, at an early day, free
of additional cost.
The new curbs and cutters are vast
improv ement over the unsightly cracked
and disintegrated rock concerns which they
have replaced and add as much to |
appearance and character of our business
streets as anything which could have been
instituted for the same amount of money, |
or that would make as good a showing. |
One very advantageous feature about the
same is that it can be repaired quickly, |
easily and at slight expense.
The average cost per foot for this i'm
provement can not be stated, but it was let
at from 81 A to S1.71 per lineal foot, the
difference being on account of the varying
height of the curbing.
The expense is to be paid in three years,
a .~ortion being paid each year, the interest
being reduced as the principal is, which
makes the average interest on the total
cost only about five and one-third per cent
per annum, instead of eight
When the council met yesterday after
noon there were present Mayor Allen,
Clerk Schattner, Attorney Dyer and Coun-
cilmen Realy, Buckeridge, Downing, Pratt,
Glaze and Slower There were also several
property owners present, who desired
either to see what the assessments were on
their property, or to have the same mCdi-
fed. The complaints, however, were very
few and very mild, which may be taken as
an evidence that the committee had per-
formed its duties in satisfactory manner
After all inquiries and requests had been
heard and satisfactorily answered, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Pratt the following resolution
was regularly adopted:
Be it resolved by the mayor and council
men of the city of Wichita, That the valu-
ations as reported by the appraisers and as
now adjusted by the mayor and council
for curb and gutter assessment, be hereby
confirmed and adopted.
After the business for which the meeting
had been called was disposed of there was
an informal discussion in regard to the
manner and time of issuing the two hun
dred and sixty five thousand dollars worth
of sewer bonds for the sewer system now be-
gun. Without taking any action or reach
ing any conclusion, the council adjourned
with the understanding that special
meeting TO consider this matter will be
called at an early day.
THE CHURCHES.
Reformed Church, corner of Topeka