Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-01-16
LIBERTY ST. IMPRoVEMEEr
What win Be Done By the Council
Tonight on Public Work.

Tonight on Public Work.
At the regular meeting Of the council
bis evening will eotne up for consider
alton the Liberty street improvement
As many are perhaps Dot familiar with
the project The JOURNAL has looked
the matter up. Is is proposed to im
prove said street from the south side Of
Chemeketa TO the south side Of Ferry
tue full width, similar 70 the State and
Chsmeketa street improvement, thence
one block to the railroad track, "a
fOot I'LL is wanted. This fill it is ciAimej
can be made at very low cost with
the dirt taken from grading down the
hill across the creek. A bridge across
the creek from the railroad track to the
sOuth side will complete the improve
ment.
What will it cost?
There Is now on file with the city
authorities q petition Of a msjOrity Of
the properly owners abutting On this
portion OF Liberty street asking for this
improvement, aud agreeing to pay all
the expense except that of building the
bridge. The latter it Is claimed wall
1t cost over $500, aud it is proposed
70 pay that on; Of the mill r1ad tax
which is now to rem ,in in the hani>
Il the city instead OF being distributed
over the mud roads Of the county. In
fact, it is prop sd hereafter to uss this
fund exclusively for bridges and street
repairs.
What will it be worth?
This is the question which every tax
syer will ask, and will be answered.
liza variety OF ways, but the people
sloug the street Who want the improve
ment, and who expect TO bear the bulk
Of the burden, say it will be worth
more to salem than any other improve
nent that could be Undertaken at the
present time. 1t vii give a new outlet
for teams from the south. AT present
many farmers who dare not drive in on
Commercial street owing TO the pres
ence OF the electric railroad there,
Ime in on Liberty or High, but as the
latter is not available, are compelled t.
60 out TO Church street. or come back to
Commercial. The Liberty street bridge
would prove a natural outlet for this
traffic.
Just at the present any public work
that will give employment TO labOrers
would be dOubly appreciated by large
class iu our city who are in need of the |
means OF earning living. The peti
TONERS bad not lutte Dded to push f,r |
this improvement until spring, but
with this fact in view, want it 10 90 4
ahead now as rapidly as possible.
The expense il Is claimed will 4
not be felt oy tue property owners, a.
they can get ii on the ten or fifteen
year installment plan at 8 per cent. iu-
Jerest. However,it is believed a majGr-
ity Of the assessed would pay for the
improvement AS soon as completed.
Salem Is today admitted to be the
most prosperous city on this clast, aud
The employ ment Of large force Of men
1n the streets would at this tune add
not a little to her good name. The
question will probably be tested this
evening. as b whether the city wants
.hr work to go on.
Among other thIngs 10 come up will
1e a report Of tue Committee on ways
md means. reporting estimates for the
coming years expenses.
Toe matter Of improving Wilson
venue Will a'so come up this evening
q the form ofa report from City En-
rineeF Culver, who will submit two
'lans Of drainage, with estimated clst. ! q
Thene Is tax OF cutting down the
lumber OF men on he street force aud
Il reducing their pay 10 Is ceuts per !
'our, which with warrants at the pres 2
ut discount would give the men about
l.D per day. II any city employees 4
eserSe all the pay they are now get d
Ing It Is the men on the street. D,