The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-29
Pending Danger.

Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: InasmuCh as numbers have asked
me why the three members of the upper
branch of councils have taken the stand
they have in opposition to the ordinance
providing for The condemnation of prop
erty for the opening of Wyoming ave-
nue. and some wonder has been expressed
over the TACT that 1 personally should be
opposed to it on account Of being m
Lorestcd in property on the avenue, / beg
leave to explain the motives which iniu-
ence us, through your columns.
So far as my individual position is con-
ceTned / never allow private interests or
benefits to prejudice my action when 1
think the interests of the whole city and
the taxpayers are concerned. SO far as
our joint action is concerned there is not
one of us, but who is and always has
been cmphaticaily in favor of punnc i'm
provements. We are opposed to the wy
onling avenue ordinance because we think
there is lurking in it, and all other or
dinanCes OF like nature, possibilities OF
grave danger to the finances of the city.
ihe So-called options for properties al
ready amount to nearly 10000 and neither
the Delaware and Hudson Canal COM
pany, or several other properties have
given any amounts which can be con-
sidered certain or definite. II is there
fore evident that the final total amount
will far exceed the present amount and
may reach well toward 100000.
Then, too, the present ordinance is only
| for the condemnation of property; the
grading with attendant damages will
come later and the past history of such
things has been in the highest degree
| burdensome to the people VINO foot thc
| bills, our taxpayers. The above remark
go simply to amount.
Now as to the lurking danger There
are but three possible sources from and
| ways by which this amount can be de-
| rived. First, from general revenue and
| in the general appropriation ordinance.
Second, by order of court directing a
special levy. Third, by the voters author
| Zng a special issue of bonds. Now this
| ordinance provides for the appointments
| of viewers. If it becomes law viewers
will be appointed, and their finding, when
| finally confirmed, will become at once a
| judgment against the city. 1t is entire
| ly unsafe to say their award will not be-
| come final, for recently councils, in spite
| of the protest OF the minority, directed
| the city solicitor TO withdraw this appeal
| in the case of the South Side sewer and
the liability OF the city has been abso-
| lutely fixed in q judgment of over 2OOJ).
| Now let us suppose the amouL the
viewers award is only $4,000 or $50. .0JV for
Wyoming avenue we Will then have over
| 900 in Judgment against the city.
| Further, other ordinances are under way
| or pending which will involve the city
| further and more heavily. Now how VIII
| the city so about paying these legal oh
| legations? Does any one believe there is
| any certainty the voters will authorize
| a bond issue? The very fact that here -
| fore such improvements have been paid
| for i'm their entirety by property owners
| will influence many against voting for a
| measure that gives others advantages
| they did not enjoy. So far as q special
| = H.
cerned, that is in addition to the present
| levy the constitutional limit has been
reached and our courts could not do It,
| If, however these amounts get to final
| judgment, ii might perhaps be possible
| that they would order them paid and the
result would be chaotic, for they could
only be paid from the proceeds of present
| taxation and out of the general revenue
| to the prejudice Of everything except fixed
| charges. such as interest on the bonded
Indebtedness sinking funds, etc. Are
| the members of councils ready to face
| such a contingency with the consequent
| results or such things as electric liEHts,
repairs of streets and pavements, sewers
fire department, police, etc? With only
| the South Side sewer and Wyoming "a
provide for how long would ii take to pay
for them and how long would the whole
city be in recovering? Every year the
demands of the different departments are
far i'm excess of the rev enue and this yeaI
they will be more so than ever. Let these
awards but become final and one of two
results is inevitable. Either the work will
never be done for it cannot be done with
out providing for the city's liability OF
| the city will have to pay the pipers. The
| people will have to vote for bond issue
| falling, there win be tut one recourse
the general revenue from present tax
alton, Can gny thinking man fail to see
the danger? Our highest court has de-
creed that assessments for sewers cannot
be levied as formerly, 1t Is disastrous il
it's effects here, but II is law and unit
the people vote to do so, no otheR recourse
can be had than the general revenue oi
the city.
When we consider the very small sur
plus the estimate committee by despeT
ate effort provided last year for new I'M
provements the impOssibllity Of the tasl
of providing for these huge sums with
out disaster becomes evident and to m'
there is no argument that can convinc,
me 1t will not be a contingency to b'
faced. The only safe way is to provid,
for ascertaining the peoples will on thes,
things before the city is finally put unde
the immense liability contemplated. FIX
ing an irrevocahe liability first is lik,
closing the door after the animal has es
capped. George Sanderson.
Scranton, Pa, Dec 2S, 1897.