The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-21
TELL HOW THEY WANT WALKS.
soUTHsmERs DISCUSS THE KROUS-
KoFF ORDINANCE.

A Number of Objections Onered
10 the Law Because of the
Material Required, the Territory
and Time for Doing the Work.
Alderman williams Thinks the
Hest Way 10 a Final settlement Is
to Refer the Question of Material
10 the Residents of Each Block,
Holding All to the Decision of
Three-FOurths.
A large representation of southside
properly owners was heard by the City
Council yesterday afternoon on the pro
posed modification OF the Krouskoff side
walk ordnance. which seems to be OBJ
jectionable because of the material which
Is specified, and also the time within
which the sidewalks are TO be laid. The
expressions from many made it evident
that these features of the ordinance are
the points at issue.
An effort will be made by Council to set
tie the differences between the prop
erty owners and the city, as there has al
ways been more or less dissatisfaction
which would make it difficult to enforce
the ordinance 1t does not seem TO De the
desire of the present Council to burden
the southsiders with more than should be
required of them, but as IL is intended 80
enforce the law. the board has manifest
ed a desire to conform to the wishes Of
property owners as nearly as possible he-
fore the six months limit expires. when
il will become the duty of the city 10 build
the sidewalks and charge the bill to the
defaulter
Before going into open meeting the board
had a conference with those who had dp-
peared in behalf of the petition asking that
the ordinance be modified. Among those
present we're NJ. J. solomons, Lee Roy
Myers Selig Mendel w. T. Bedford, D.
j. Morrison. George Schwarz. D. J. Nor
rissey, Charles Seller, DR.. l.. A. Falli-
giant. George Beckett, c. II. Dorset and
II. c. Cunningham. An opportunity was
given TO the property owners 10
express their views. and a number spoke
as TO the features they considered object
ionable. Some said a rigid enforcement OF
the ordinance as it stood would amount TO
hardship, and would probably neeessitlte
the borrowing of money by a large number
of people.
After few OF the compliments had been
heard Alderman Haas said 1t was his
understanding that the former adj
ministrauon did not intend 10
put unreasonable burdens on the
people. What he desired to
know was whether the property owners
wanted any sidewalk at all. and if so
whether they desired it to be a uniform
system. He said a difference of opinion
seemed TO exist, but as soon as he under
stood the way the people wanted their
property improved, he would be ready to
form his conclusions. Alderman Haas
said he would approve the course the
majority desired.
BY some il was suggested that any good
durable material would answer for side
walks without going to the expense of
putting down artificial stone. which is con-
sidered rather costly. The city engi-
neer might be given the power 90 decide
whether the material used was of the kind
that would make a desirable sidewalk,
and such as would be in keeping with
others on the same street.
This ordinance provides for the laying
of sidewalks I'M front of unimproved prop
erty," said Mr.. Mendel. and for thar
reason ! am opposed to il. Vehicles have
been driven over sidewalks which were
laid around unfenced property and it has
been demonstrated that IL is a useless out
lay to make these improvements, with no
protected.
eral instances of this kind have come un.
der my own observation. and 1 am clear
ly of opinion sidewalks should be required
only within limits where property has been
improved
Mr.. MoTissey said the people want
sidewalks, but they don't want artificial
stone on account of its cost. He thought
the general desire was that the ordinance
oe drawn so as to allow the walks built
of any good material. The southsiders
have Just finished paying for the mud
paving on Bull street. he said, which will
have to be torn up within two years. For
this reason the people should not be re-
quired 20 put down costly material for
sidewalks but should be allowed to use the
material they can afford, so long as Il
was good and durable TITS an right
for the rich" said Mr.. Morrissey. ''bu,
poor folks have to go according to their
means"
MIR. Cunningham did not think
should be required south of An
oerson street, except such portions as are
included in the plan OF the city. Where
the city has not made improvements he
did not think sidewalks should be reouir-
ed The time in which the walks are TO
he buih Is also too brief, he said. Three
months have already expired and the six
Iaonths Will soon be out, when the CITY
VIII have the work to do. and the bills 10
collect from the property owner '.Coun-
Gil should wait until Il can say 10 the
pi operty owners, We have done our part.
new YOU do yours -
Wien the discussion ended the propertv
owners retired, and Council considered
other matters, onesof which was the petit
ton of Floyd & Conner, asking TO be re-
leased from the payment OF rents on leased
lands west of the city, which had been
rendered useless to the lessees on account
OF overhows. Il is not understood the
sidewalk question was discussed any fur
Their.
Alderman Williams discussed the prom
erty owners complaint after the meeting
He is OF the opinion the Krouskoff ordi-
nance will be modified. Judging from the
character of the complaints, he thinks
other than artificial stone may be allowed
that the time for doing the work may be
extended, and that the limits may not
include the present large eXpanse of ter
ritory.
while 1t appears that these are the
changes that complainants Desire" said
WkA "a