The record-union., 1891-02-15
THE QUESTION OF LOCAL M
PROVEMENT.

PROVEMENT.
1t is proposed to continue the work of
Improvement upon business streets
which was so happily inaugurated last
year, and to petition the Trustees to
make it general within certain limits by
providing for the removal of post avn
ings within year, for one thing. But
this proposition and others coupled with
it, has excited opposition, and number
of property owners are understood to
propose resistance to the movement.
The ground of their opposition is that
local taxation is very high, and that own
ers cannot, in very many cases, afford the
extra burden of new construction, and
that such an ordinance as is proposed
would be so sweeping as to work hard
ships, and in some cases seriously in
volve some people.
1t is not probable that this latter idea is
correct; but this plea of opposition is to
be treated with respect and considera-
tion. Owners of property affected are
entitled to be heard patiently and fully,
and their desires given due consideration
before the authorities take any decisive
action. But we think that if all parties
will calmly and with deliberation discuss
these matters, it will result in conviction
by all that the propositions referred to
are wise, and are really in line with the
best financial interests of owners of real
estate who are now objecting.
We take it that not one of them is op-
posed to city advancement; that not one
of them is proposing to set the city back,
or to hinder its progression. 1t is prob
ably rather a question of time within
which action shall be had than anything
else. 1t can be shown that values can be
enhanced by progressive movements
such as are contemplated, and will be in
jured by putting off the day when such
reforms must be had to prevent dilapida-
ton. The centers of population are now
determining in CALIFORNIA;; the cities that
are to remain and grow are those that
within the next very few years prove
their right to advance. Such as refuse or
neglect to avail of natural advantages,
and to supplement them by artificial de-
vices, viii not only not stand still, but
will retrograde, and new centers of pop
ulation will develop and rival the towns
and cities that wait too long.
One effective way to stimulate business,
encourage investment and promote pros
perity, is to make our business streets
presentable to strangers. We have be-
come accustomed to present conditions,
and therefore they do not offend us. But
we cannot be deaf to what visitors tell us,
or to the reports that strangers make of
the appearance of the business sections.
Nor can we be insensible to the damaging
effects of these reports upon investment
and development. If the appearances re-
ferred to tend to create the impression on
all sides that the city is ifeless, shiftless
and lacking in local pride, then great
wrong is done, and we should remove the
cause of offense. A question of fact is
thus put in issue. Its settlement viii
settle the improvement proposition, and
by that result we are willing to abide.
Concerning taxation and the increased
burdens of improvement, let us not forget
two important facts: First, that such inn
proyements as have been made have paid
well. They have, we are assured, given
Areat encouragement to investors, have
enhanced values of even distant property,
and have generally conserved business
interests and invited successfully new
capital and population; second, that we
are not receiving the revenue as city
that is our due.
Sacramento practically abandons reve-
nue. sufficient to reduce taxation by sc
or IS per cent Public business is not
rs economically conducted as it should
be. There are salaries that are too high,
some that are needless, and some officials
that could be dispensed with. And the
Legislature would readily give us RELIEF
in these particulars. 1t is possible here
to collect revenue in one direction, thai
in other California cities is the source oi
means that largely meet the cost of local
government. Political control dictates
municipal policy in directions that give
privileges without due compensation
We give away our franchises, licenses
upon luxuries are lower than in any
other city anywhere else, with single
exception. We undertake to say that i
the city government was conducted upor
a sound business basis its income would