Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-16
MATTERS
of the
MOMENT.
Subjects IN Which, The Citizens of
freela'sd and Surroundings
4re Interested at tile
Present Time.

The movement to annex South Heber-
ton to Freeland borough is at present
receiving considerable attention from
number of people who are more or less
interested in the welfare of the two
towns. The agitation for annexation
arose simultaneously with the prospects
for greater Freeland, held out by the
Board of Trade, and up to the present
time it has been fostered by the board
as component part of it's duty. The
movement has been suggested at various
times. 1t was advocated at the time
that the Five Points became a part of
the borough, the reason given being
that the increased territory and popula
tion would result in getting better postal
facilities. 1t has also been mentioned
at other times with different objects in
view, but with never any arguments
produced as to its advantage to Free
land. However, it has never before
been accorded the recognition it receives
at present. The misfortune of the
movement in the past appears to have
been that the men who could have
boosted it along did not favor annexa-
tion and because they did not, they felt
disinclined to inform those who did as to
the proper methods to be taken to ac-
complish its success. This appears to
be its fate even in its present state.
The promoters of the movement seem
somewhat at sea, so far as their methods
are concerned, and this, coupled with
the disapproyal of those whom annexs-
tion will directly affect, has a tendency
to thrust the whole affair into confusion.
t I I
The only real worthy feature of the
possible advantage of annexation given
by its agitators is that which has been
defined by the Board of Trade, viz, fire
and police protection for territory which
will then be within the borough, which
is to be held out as an inducement for
the location of industrial plants. The
claim is justly made that the vacant
land within the present limits is held at
too high value to allow it to be used
for factory sites, but whether this claim
will outweigh the objections of the op-
ponents is questionable. Many taxpay-
ers fear that the additional expense
which the new territory would add to
the borough would not justify annexa-
ton. Additional fire plugs, electric
lights, sewers street repairs and police
protection are matters that have yet to
be considered.
/ /
The movement is at present almost
confined to the territory north of the
Public park, which has been chosen for
the site of the industries secured by the
Board of Trade. Now, if the borough
limits are to be extended at ALL they
should be run out to include Fern street.
Here is II section which could be annex
ed with profit to the town and the resi-
dents. The territory is included in Eos
ter township, yet the male residents
have no place to vote, and their children
have no place to attend school. The
street yields a liquor revenue which
would pay for whatever improvements
might be required, while scarcely rea-
son can be offered for allowing the
street to remain in its present irrcspon-
sible condition. If greater Freeand
and the good of the town is the object,
let it be pushed to successful end; but
that cannot be accomplished if the pro-
moters of annexation pass desirable sec
tons by, and throw the lines out too far
in other directions. Have the best in
terests of the borough the main consid-
Grafton in this movement, others inter
ests can afford to wait