The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-17
The Question of Paving Repairs.

1t appears from the opinion of the
city solicitor that in the present con-
dition of its finances the city of Scran-
ton. through councils and mayor, may
Increase its bonded Indebtedness by the
sum of $6S0O0 without submitting the
question to popular vote. In other
words, we are that much shy of the
constitutional Limitation which pro-
vides that cities of the third class shall
not, without popular authorization, in
cur liabilities exceeding two per cent.
of their assessed valuation. The only
question to be considered, therefore, is
whether or not the city wants to plunge
into debt up to this limit
The subject behind this legal opinion
is the question of bettering the con-
dition of the asphalted streets. 1t is
admitted by all that the existing con-
ditiOn of these streets is disgraceful.
Improvement of them in some way is
imperative and to this end four propo-
sitons have appeared: % An ordi-
nance by Mr.. Roche to spend SIC, 900 in
resurfacing three miles of these streets;
G) an ordinance by Mr.. Keller to sub
NIT to competitive bidding for a term
of years the contract of keeping all the
asphalted streets in repair continually;
C0 the proposition that the city buy
repair plant of its own and do its own
repairing; and 4) a suggestion that the
much-used business thoroughfares in
the central city be repaved with gram
ite blocks.
OF these four propositions the fourth
is plainly out Of the question at this
time, since it would require the unani-
nous consent of the property-holders,
who have already paved once and can
not be made to pay a second paving
assessment; the third Is ineXpedient,
since the many repairs now needed, If
made with due expedition. would re-
quire the purchase of larger plant
and equipment than would be needed
after the long accumulated breaks and
cracks had once been remedled; and
with respect to the Roche ordinance it
is to be noted that even if the city
We're in mood to incur $4,000 of extra
Indebtedness at this time and could be
assured that so large a sum under pres
ent conditions would be expended hon
estly and with busness-like economy,
the resurfacing of three miles of streets
would leave unaffected the several
other miles Of asphalted streets which
almost equally cry for attention and
repairs.
If this matter We're under cOnsidera-
ton by a board of business men carry
| ing into municipal affairs the methods
| of private enterprise, II is not to be
| doubted that the method embodied in
| the Keller ordinance would instantly
receive favor Under it the competitive
| feature assures an economical rate
while the division of the cost into an
| nual payments would easily make /,
| possible, with due economy in councils
in other directions, TO carry the eX.
| pense of paving repairs out Of the or.
| binary revenues without increasing the
| tax levy. Whatever method councils
| shall conclude to adopt The Tribune
| desires to remind them that not il
many years has the sentiment of the
| taX-paying citizens of Scranton beer
so averse to augmented tax burdens
growing out of municipal foolishness ol
extravaganza as it is today; and no
in years has it needed so slight a straw
| to break the camels back.