The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-09
TO ISSUE BONDS.
Citizens of Radford Will Vote
Upon This Question To-day.

RADFoRD. Va, Aug. S.-[Speciall-
From outward appearances one would
think that very little interest in being
taken in the election to be held in
Radford to-day for the purpose of decid-
ing whether or not the city council is to
be authorized, by the freeholders, to
issue bonds to the amount of one hun
dred thousand dollars for public i'm.
provements. A TIMES reporter called
upon number OF prominent citizens
and found that they were not only
heartily in favor Of the appropriation,
but were using every effort to bring out
full vote in favor Of it.
at recent meeting of the council. a
motion was made to appropriate $780,
O00 for the improvement of the city
generally, that sum to bediyided EQUALLY
between the two wards. After consid.
cradle discussion, it was decided to sub.
NIT the question to the freeholders OF
the city for their decision. Each ward
will have voting place and the major.
lty OF the total number of votes poiled
IS to decide the question. Should the
result be in favor of the appropriation,
IL wall be, as far as can be learned, OK
pended about as follows:
In the east ward, in all probability.
the first thing will be thorough system
OF waterworks and sewerage, improve.
ments to school buildings, streets, and
good sidewalks. In the west ward 81, 900
Will go toward the erection Of hand
some brick school house, at the corner
of Pendleton and Fifth streets. in the
extreme west end, to accommodate tue
rapidly increasing population OF that
section. lot has been donated by tho
land company, provided tho city will
erect this building.
Next in order will be an electric light
plant, complete system of sewerage,
better sidewalks and general improve.
ment of streets.
From careful and thorough investi-
CATION conducted by special com mittee
appointed by tho council and which
consumed months time, it was found
that Radford has over million and a
half Of taxable property, and this is
considered by all to be an exceedingly
low estimate, from the fact that nearly
all property was assessed at about one
fourth OF what it cost the present
owners.
M. A. Rife, one of Roanoke's most
wide awake and progressive business
men, has secured from the council of
Radtord franchise for street railway
and has filed fve thousand dollar bond
to have the same completed not later
than December, 1892. Until an cleo.
trio plant is established horse power
will be used, and after that is completed
electricity will be used. Like unto the
city OF Washington, Radford is one of
magnificent distances and this much
needed enterprise will fill long felt
want. Too much praise cannot DO ac-
corded Mr. Rife for his interest in the
upbuilding of the Magic City and should
it be Radford's good fortune for him to
locate within her boundaries she will
never regret having offered him any in
ducements.
What does Radford most need? What
would induce foreign capital to invest
in her midst? What would add more to
her advancement and future welfare?
What would arouse some of her so called
spirited citizens 10 action? A
board OF trade composed OF from ten to
fifteen energetic. pushing. thorough
business men. The material is here
but who is willing to take tie respon-
sibility OF instilling into their minds the
Importance OF waking up. pulling them.
selves together and making Radford
what she should be. Let the land com.
panies do the building and the like, the
majority OF them say; but awake to the
fact that Radford must now look after
herself.
The land companies have made her
what she is to-day and are now simply
what all OF us are, holders Of pr ,perty.
They have been and are now willing to
assist all thoy can. They have, in other
words, taught us to crawl and even tod
die, now we must shift for ourselves.
What has made Roanoke what she ia,
more than the influence Of her splendid
board of trade? Call meeting of the
citizens and devise some means to get
the wagon out of the ruts and awake to
the fact that we are no longer nero
toddler but heal by, thrifty. rapidly
growing city.
Big Fire in Baltimore