Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-02-07
THE PUBLIC Opinion on Burning Cues
 tions of the Day, WHAT A FEW MEN SAY Concerning the Tucson, Calabas as and Northwestern By. And the sIOO.OOO Hotel Which it is Proposed to Build on Military
 Plaza.
WHAT A FEW MEN SAY

A number of citizens were interview ed as per below on the propositions now before the board of supervisors to vote S200,OCJ in bonds for the Tucson, Gala basas & Northwestern railroad; and the city council no donate the Military Plaza in return for a S100000 hotel.
 Gen. R. A. Johnson-I am opposed tC giving the entire plaza for the construc- tiDn of hotel because 1 think that if teen acres would be ample enough, As I understand it the plaza contains about thirty acres and 1 am sure the city could make a better bargain by offering the lots therein at sale and building the hotel with the proceeds. The plaza contains the choice building sites of the city. There has been an effort made several times to lay out thls land by leaving plot in the centre for a park and selling the contiguous lots for build ing purposes. A gentleman of means some tirle ago was discussing the feas- ibilty of a sanatarium and all that be asked was exemption from taxation for a period of five years with a provision that he would have to consult with the Southern Pacific as to whether he would be able to land material at less than the scedule traffic rates. This gent eman afterwards visited San Francisco and reported that they had agreed to do more than he could reasonably expect, but upon examination he became satis- fled that the exemption from tax was uncertain and would require more time than he could at the time devote to it. The matter was thus lost sight of. Now the sum he asked for amounted to a a little over four percent per annum on SlO0.C 0 hotel for five years the equiva- lent of twenty thousand dollars.
 The hotel will pay from the start as a ! demand has existed for such building for two pears past. 1 am willing for the city to donate to the new egterprise what would De fairly estimated at present property amounting to twenty-five per cent of the proposed cost of the build ing which appears to me to be big bonus. The time for the completion of the hotel ought to be limited and other necessary restrictions made. As to the railroad. We can well afford to vote bonds for that purpose when the taxation on the road will quite cover the interest on the bonds, not to ment. on the manifold advantages of the road in other ways. The bonds to be held in scroi in Arizona to De delivered only upon competitor of the road and the purchasing of the railing stock.
 Lionel Jacobs. As T general propos- ition am ln favor of Z" 7JIlng which can be done which will uevelop our in- terests or increase our taX-ble property. When anything the bOard can grant can be given to individI Ials who are willing and able to make improvements 1t should be done. 1 think II Is the duty of the board of supervisors If they de eide there IS merit in this proposition to submit the same to the people. lf the people want the proposition let the board surround 1t with all pos slnie guarantees that the proposition as made will be carried out. There Is no question of one fact that if the road could be built and properly equipped the future, If not he present would gam lncalcuiaOle advantages. To secure such would be amply worth what Is asked. Regarding the hotel 1t Is my opinion that in places where you desire to at tract people 1t Is necessary to af- ford them ample accommodations during their sojourn. It has been proven Tn other places that primarily the estab- lishment of such enterprises has not produced immediate results te the share holders. It Is necessary m my estma tion tD offer some inducements and the Military Plaza IS and has been nothing more than a barren waste If It could be made attractive and devoted to the purposes suggested large number of tourists would ue attracted here and not only tourists but permenant investors.
 J. A, Black. consider both propos- itions to the advantage of the city. With the proper safeguards about them to in sure an honest carrying out of the promises that have been made 1 see no reason why We should not embrace the opportunity as an excellent one,
 Francis J. Heney. think that with proper restrictions and conditions the city can afford to make a gift of the plaza if they have the power and exempt the building from taxation for ten years. 1 would compel them to run it however after it was built or the en- tire property should revert to the city. Concerning the railroad proposition am not in favor of it. In my opinion a railroad that will not pay for building will not pay when built.
 s. NJ. Franklin. I think the city can well afford to donate the Military Plaza to any party or parties who will erect a hotel to cost Lot less than Sl00CJ0, pro Yiding that 1t be completed within a limited time, and the deed to the prop erty not to be transferred till the building is satisfactory completed. l am also in favIr of the railroad propos- ition, the bonds payable when the road Is running.
 Judge Ferguson. The interests of Tucson and surrounding country de- mand imperatively the building of a hotel and esaDatarium. ArlZona's desir- able climate $ calculated to ill such a building eight months in the year. I am in favor of offering inducements for its construction elsewhere in the city. Also favor the railroad proposition.
 Judge Lowell. I heartily concur in whatlJ udge Ferguson says if there are no legal obstacles.
 w. c. Davis. I am in favor of the railroad proposition as I consider it an excellent business proposition. Con- corning the hotel favor that also but should exact that S5C00 in improve ments would be done within three months and the whole completed with in one year or be forfeited to the city.
 S.H. Drachman. If the parties mean business and will do as they say ID a specified time am heartily il. favor of