Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-15


city ordinances. The present book was
printed in 1891. Many of the ordinances
contained IN 1t have since been repeal
ed or amended and with the multitude
of ordinances imprinted and diflicult
of access much difficulty is experienced
in determining the exact status OF many
the ordinances and may prejudice
the interest Of the city.
B. & o. DEPOT.
while realizing the reverses of this
company have to some extent hindered
and retarded its Improvements there
would seem to be 10 palliation for the
outrage inflicted upon cur city in the
maintenance of this howell of a pasSen-
ger station. Runners and promises we
nave had galore, even embracing the
removal of the Objectionable track on
Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets,
, much wished for relief, and positive
injury to the property along these
streets. l would suggest that some
vigorous action be taken and an earn
est effort put forth to secure new de-
pot.
LOCATION OF INDUSTRIES.
''This city through too coAierva-
tive policy and the disposition OF
many of her citizens to make improve
ments elsewhere has lost much of her
prestige as a manufacturing centre.
With our great natural advantages
there is no reason why our city should
not be an inviting one for new pro-
jects. The combinations and central1-
zation of many of the present pants
| menaces our future and being now
ita1
suit eventually in loss of time and
consequent idleness of the employees.
The logical effect Of combinations has
been the building UP OF many COM
/ petitive concerns. The vast sums of
money received by the resident stock
| holders OF the various plants sold is
now seeking investment and there
could be no better time than the pres
ent to put forth an effort in this di-
: Tection.
Il would suggest that you appoint
! committee to act in conjunction with
the Chamber of Commerce and formu-
late some plan to induce new indus
tries to locate with u.s.
WATER WORKS.
without desiring to criticise the
conduct of any of the city departments,
yet feeling as the executive of the
! city and consequently the direct repre-
sentative of the people | should be
accorded full information as to the
several departments which are the
creature of the people, / regret to
record the fact that although | have
applied to both the Secretary and
/ President of the Water Board for some
,x,crx 4 La,r foi In1 to oil ri q
response. Being heartily in accord
with the provisions for increased wa
ter supply and having the highest per-
sonal regard for the gentlemen compos-
ing the Water Board | nevertheless
consider that the citizens are entitled
to full and correct understanding OF
the conduct of the public affairs, and
| in this connection | would suggest
that the Board be requested to make
to Council a quarterly report showing
the progress of its work and giving
a general outline of its intentions, ex-
pectations and indebtedness, that the
taxpayer may be fully advised.
GRANTING OF LICENSES.
81 would recommend the exercise of
more care and a more rigid adherence
to the requirements Of the Ordinance
in relation to the granting of liquor
licenses. While the adoption of such
a policy may reduce the revenues OF
the city from this source l am sure it
will insure to the public good by the
eradication of the element who under
the guise of city protection prey upon
the virtue of the youth Of the city, ana
bv the adoption of methods in entire
+Lo;,
law. have inaugurated a state Of affairs
which are a blot to the fair name OF
our city as we'll as a positive menace
to the health Of future generations.
REFUNDING CITY LOAN.
| CAS- purely business proposition l
! have taken up the present state OF the
| bonded Indebtedness of the city and
! find the average rate of interest on all
| loans to be about 51a per cent; this on
an approximate idebtedness OF S500,000
amounts to !$27 800. This rate of inter-
est under existing conditions consider
| ing the cheap rate obtaining for money,
| the good assets of the city and her flu
| ture opportunities for revenue when
| the water works improvements shall
! have been paid, is much too high, and
! | am firmly of the opinion that an en-
! tire refund of the present Indebtedness
! of the city can be effected at the pres
ent time upon basis of not to exceed
| 31a per cent. | am intrenched in this
! opinion by the great sums of money
seeking investment, the desirability OF
such a loan as the city would desire to
make and the present low rates at
which short time commercial loans arc
made. | am, however, equally certain
that the citizens of Wheeling would not
authorize loan for other purposes
than the funding of the present in
debtedness and that only upon a strict
ly business basis. Estimating that the
city would desire to refund the entire
100000, and that it could be effected
at a rate of 31a per cent, or an annual
saving to the taxpayers of $4,000,
neither would | advocate nor do l be-
lieve the voters would sanction any
loan ordinance which did not provide
for the retirement of the new issue of
bonds commencing with the first year
A loan to run twenty-five years with
privilege Of redemption after the first
year would entail upon the city an an
nual redemption payment of only $40
n