The Portland daily press., 1896-12-09
DEERING.
An Address to the Citizens Regarding THO
Odd FaIIoxvsS RuiIdinp.

An Address to the Citizens Regarding the
Odd Fellows Building.
The following address to the citizens
OF Deering regarding the offer OF quar-
tiers for the city government in the ne"
Odd Fellows block is self explanatory:
To the Citizens of Deering: The sub
scrlDers had regared the proposltlon
made by the Odd Fellows Hall Com
pany TO the City government Of Deerins,
to provide them with large commodlouss
ofnces, with sanitary arrangements, al
heated, and janitor service provided, AZ
the most convenient place In the city
for the sum of $500 year, as an oppor-
tunity which should not be missed by
the city, rather than as a private scheme
to be avoided, and go it was with great
surprise that We have learned of oppOsl-
tion to it's acceptance coming from Ward
2, and it was with still greater surprise
that we read In the papers the report
which it is said Alderman Gowau pro
poses to make to the city, as minority
report from our committee. Without
rehsarsing his statements, the facts are
these, as can he easily ascertained by in
quiry at the office OF City Treasurer.
The City Of DeerinG paid in 1895 the
sum. of SS14.9 so for rents, janitors, clean
ing, repairs, etc, all of which together
with good deal more. is included In
the proposition of the Hall Company.
For 1896, as far as Mt present it is re-
vealed, the sum will reach 1904; and this
leaves our school committee, and several
of our various boards to the generosity
OF their members, who oourteously open
their parlors for. the use OF the city, free
of expense; nor does it include any pro-
visions for the electrical appliances OF
the city, which are now gratuitously
cumming upon our accommodating cleo
trician, Mr.. Moody, occupying half of his
building; nor does it include any decent
sanitary arrangements for the City hall
q nd police station.
But there is only little less than 5000
between the present cost and trese new
quarters at $500, $3.50 of which would
come back to the city in taxes, whereas
from our present. building we get Moth
ing back. This leaves the increase only
$3.50 for which, the city may move from
their present total inadequate and un-
healthy quarters, into nine large light,
centrally located and cred liable offtces( in
Guiding large council chamber) which
are provided with vaults. steam heat.
and all modern improvements, and
which would be credit to the city,
rather than subject for apologies. II
this is not am exceptional opportunity.
what is it? If we let it pass, when can
we match it hereafterp If we are to have
the building it must be settled bsfore it
is built for otherwise it will be planned
differently. The company have gener-
ously consulted the ideas of the repre-
of the city, making expensive
in their plans, and including
vault and lookup arrange
ments, which they can leave out if the
city does not accept their offer. But
what about the city? They cannot stay
where they are much longer, and 1t is
too bad to have to occupy such quarters
now. No other city in the state would
tolerate them moment. Will they
build? The Hall Company lot cost over
$4,000 and the heating arrangement will
cost $4,000 N ore. the architects say; and |
certainly building large enough and
good enough for the purpose would cost |
at least eight or ten thousand more; add
six per cent interest upon the invest |
meat, the salary of jantor, who must
give his whole time. GOAL bill, water,
lights, etc. and where shall we land ?
Certainly not within $500. And where |
issthe land so centrally located? On each |
side of the Hall Company, the county
has allowed 80 cents a foot for land, be-
sides the buildings, and both parties
have appealed from their award. Shall
we go up Some side street to save few
dollars, and hide our public building ? |
Shall we go back to the old town houseP
That is in Ward z: perhaps this is the
plan uf that ward A corporation with
nearly sa.0O0.e0 rapidly increasing it's
assets and growing beyond comparison
with any in the state, opposing an i'm
provement which involves but $3.50
year, and one SO much needed. 1t sounds
like country uown, not modern, pro
always back and fill, before they accom-
plish anything?
We think that every citizen will feel |
it his duty to call on the alderman from |
his ward and tell him without hesitation |
that no Ia morally bound to look at this |
matter from prudential standpoint |
rather than from political one, and re-
guest hin to give the matter his support. |
G. W. SMALL
ELRRIDHE t. CORR