The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-07

the authorities of other cities as mat
ter worthy of note and OF experiment.
While neither the light nor the water sys-
TEN of Scranton is under municipal own
ership, each is still rendering excellent
service and is apparently satisfactory to
the citizens of Scranton at this time. The
question of municipal ownership of light
and water plants Is one which is receiv-
ing general attention and one which you
WILL undoubtedly, be called upon to con-
slider.
THE CITY's FINANCES.
I understand and appreciate the fact
that the resources of the city do not ad-
init of the appropriation of the sums of
money necessary to carry out the i'm
provements suggested above and others
which will readily suggest themselves to
| those who have made study of NUM-
cipal affairs. The question how to pro-
vide for these necessities must be solved
by you.
A bond issue has been suggested as the
proper proceeding. If 1t is, in your judg-
ment, the best remedy, II should be ap-
| piled at once. If, on the other hand, 1t
| is your opinion that the Increased reve-
nue. arising from the newly made triennial
assessment shall prove sufficient to take
| care of the city's needs, YOU should let
these improvements remain in allegiance
| for n year.
The total bonded Indebtedness of the
| city of Scranton at this time is but s649.-
| 000. This is remarkably small for a city
| of this class. We must take into consi1-
| Grafton, however that other cities whose
| debt is compared with that of Scranton
| own their own water works and light
plants. Comparison. therefore, with these
| cities is scarcely fair.
| 1t is difficult at this time to estimate
| the ctys net Indebtedness because of
| the fact that the books of the city treas
| urer have not yet been balanced for the
| year Just closed, and the city controller
is likewise unable to furnish definite fig
ures which will bring the report of the
city's finances up to date. AT a rough
estimate, | would calculate the city's
net Indebtedness at S550,00O On this
showing, bond issue of more than $780,
coo is possible under the law.
Before passing this subject of finance.
l would advise the councils and particu-
larly the board of revision and appeals
| to scrutinize carefully the new triennial
| assessment and to ascertain and MAKE
public whatever of inequality or injustice
they may find therein. The matter Is one
| which concerns every citizen, and, If
| wrong has been done either Intentionally
or by neglect, the time for its remedy is
now.
THE CITY'S IMPROVEMENTS.
Scrantons improvements during 1891
| have been neither many nor notable. 1t
was unreasonable to expect otherwise
| with a sum Of money at your disposal,
| barely sufficient for the maintenance of
the city's property, the payment OF its
officials and employees and the construc-
ton # absolutely necessary works. 1here
IS much to be done ard the amount which
your estimates committee will have at
its disposal will be entirely inadequate tC
supply the needs.
There Is one thing. however for which
it should make provision. That is the
cleaning of the walls of City Hall and the
tling of the City Hall corridors. The
existing condition of the building, which
is supposed to be representative of the
citys prosperity good taste and thrift
is disgrace to any municipality. The
impression which a visitor receives on On.
tering this building must reflect dscredit
upon us who have the care and the re-
pair of this property in our charge. A
good rule for public officers is: GuarC
and care for the public money and the
public property as you would if it were
your own. None of you would allow youl
home to assume the seedy aspect of the
City Hall at the present time.
Under the head of improvements mus
also come the consideration of the fitting
up of the city's parks. 1t has been FIRE
Quently said that Scranton is a younl
city, and that all these things will com,
in time. ] am not a believer in this do
ing-sit-down-and- wait policy. If these
things are good for posterity, they are
equally beneficial TO us. There is no gooC
, reason whv the child of the poor maj
of today should not enjoy the parks ant
the sources of health and pleasure whicl
, will contribute to the welfare of the chill,
of later generation. We who believe IL
scranton growth and i'll its permanen
and Incl easing prosperity should not hes
, itate to give to our fellow citizens all tn
necessities and refinements of civilization
, with which the most advanced cities ar
equipped. No good business man woul
, allow his property to stand still if it pos
i sessed one-tenth the possibilities o
i Scranton. You should let up-to-dat
: business SENSE govern you in this matter
! SOME REASONS.
q The improvements, which / have suS
a | gested would cost much money, il is true
> but they would make OF Scranton a city
they would attract outside capital, an
+ best OF all trey would greatly and stead
= lily increase our population by the acces
: sion of families now residing in sma
, cities and towns and in the agriculture
districts, where the fame of our proGres
e and our retinements would reach then
q These are considerations which must ap
r peal with great force to every man WIN
G loves his city, and who desires not onl
: the exaltation of his city's name, but tn
: safety, health and pleasure OF himse
e and of those who are near and dear I
him.
8 Following is a statement of the differ
ent improvements and the cost of IN
same, constructed under the supervisio
!, of the city engineers department froI
y April l. 1897, to Jan. l, 1898:
d Grading ................."..S 1852
= Retaining walls ..................... 500
e Pipe drains Sal lineal feet......... ia
$ Culverts ................,,........ 6i9
S Inspection on culvert ............... l12
d Pavements, 2S9S7 square yards. 255S