The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-09
IN ECoNoMYS INTEREST.
COUNCILS PROMPT ACTION ON THE
HOUSE DRAINAGE PLAN.

BE Continued After Nov. 1-What
MIR. MendeI says-Alderman WylIy
Explains Why 1t VIII BE EcOnomi-
cal to Push the Matter at Once-Ar-
engagements VIII Be Made to Get
Connections ms CheapIy as Posi-
BILE.
1t was stated yesterday that the anti
| drainage meeting would be continued af-
ter Nov. l. the date upon which the War
ing plans are to be submitted to council.
Upon just what grounds the fight will
be waged after the above date, is not
known, other than that those who are
now melting public gatherings are op-
posed to any sort of public expenditure
at present, and express themselves as
averse 70 any movement which viii draw
on the treasury.
Mr.. Selig Mendel, to whom is due the
present opposition 10 the house drainage
movement, expresses himself in most en-
phatic terms against the employment of
out-of-town advisers Mr.. Mendel seems
to be assuming every position which will I
have the tendency of hindering council
or defeating the movement for the pro-
:
The city has an engineering depart
ment and yet it seems necessary to go
abroad for our advice in matters which, in
my judgement, should be had from the
city's own corps of engineers I am I'M
able to understand why it Is that the city
has not called its own engineering force
into service.
There is another matter which I shall
insist upon and that is with reference to
the citys going into debt beyond the lin
itation Of per cent. of the total assess
ed valuation of property, as provided by a
recent act of the legislature. The PROPOSE
ton Of council to give the city's notes
is nothing more nor less than bonding the
city for the drainage debt To claim that
notes are not bonds and that the city can
proceed to contract debts in excess of
the amount allowed by statute, is not such
a subterfuge as will afford protection to
the board"
In order that the claims Of council might
be understood with reference to the
stand taken by the antl-drainage advo-
| Gates. Alderman Wylly chairman of the
drainage committee of council, was seen by
Morning News reporter, and with refer
ence TO certain claims of the opposition,
ne said:
Il am not at all surprised that this bel
ligerant movement has been set on foot.
and yet 1 do not believe the advocates
against the construction of a system of
house drainage in Savannah, are thorough
ly cognizant of the import
ance Of economizing by put
ting down system of drains
| very early. The longer the matter is de-
layed," continued Alderman WyIly. the
more pavements will have to be dug up,
| and hence the more expense to the citi-
zens.
Council. as well as the drainage COM
mlttee, has anticipated all reasons which
! might be brought up against the move
ment to equip the city with an up-to-date
| system of house drainage and are able, 1
| think to satisfactorily answer all detri-
| mental arguments. AS to one of the ar
| guments advanced against the system, that
which puts forward the Limitation and
| says we have no right to exceed IL in
| contracting an indebtedness, | will lust
| say that successful opposition in that di-
| rection will necessitate the city's paying
| cash for the drainage work and the I'M
| aVoidable sequel TO this will be an extra
! tax levy to meet the demand. If the city
| makes It's notes for the proposed work. il
| Will have ten years in which to pay the
| approximate cost, which will be $50 600
| Hence, II Will be seen that this entire
| drainage debt could be met by the paw
| ment of $4,000 per year. At present the
| annual appropriation by council for the
house drainage department is so COO and
| the city is receiving absolutely nothins
| With an additional 5000 to the budget the
| city can be paying for a system which |
| regard as excellent in its details and one
| which will always be a source of pride and
| security to the citizens.
| 1t has been asserted by the opposition
that the property of the poorer people
| would be confiscated by the city on ac-
| count of the heavy expense in connecting
| with the drains. With reference to that |
| Will say that whoever receives the con-
| tract for constructing the drainage sys-
/ tenn, will be required to file bids for max
! ing house connections BY this means we
| hope to obtain the lowest possible figures
| upon the work of making these connec-
| lions. Any one 50 desiring, can get a
! plumber in the city to make the connec-
tions for them. but in case they do not
| pursue this course, the contractor who
! does the drainage work will be required to
make connections for all property holders
| at contract figures, which, as stated. will
| be determined by competitive bidding"
! Alderman Wylly said that bids were be-
ing advertised for in all the principal
| cities OF the country. and the competition
was such as to insure the very lowest
| figures He said that the movement to
oppose council in arranging for system
of drainage was entirely selfish, and not
for the benefit Of the city. He further
said that their main reason for asserting
| opposition was that they did not wish to
abolish the old vaults and make the re-
| quired connections.
Council, he said. would take immediate
| action at the first meeting after Nov. Is
the day upon which the bids are to close
The contract will be let at once if the
plans were approved and the work push
1 cd to a rapid conclusion
POYTHREsS CASE CONTINUED.