The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16
WILL COST CITY $4,000. /
TO FINISH OPENING STREETS IN
THE SOUTHERN SECTION.

Alderman Williams Presents Some
Unpleasant FiGures-The City Must
Go to Much Further Expense to
Conclude the Street Opening Work
South of AndersOn-wOuId BE
Much Better for the City to Buy
Now for Cash Were 1t Possible for
1t to Do So, He Thinks-The Alder
man Says His Duties Require Too
Much of His Time and Talks of Re-
signing From the Board Next Year.
Alderman ]. P. Williams, chairman OF
the Committee on Street Opening and City
Lots, estimates that it will cost the city
$4,000 in cash to acquire the land neces-
sary for opening unopened streets or por-
tons of streets in the southern and south
eastern sections of the city
To the average citizen, who is under the
impression that the city has already spent
a barrel of money for opening streets
south of Anderson, this sounds like a stu
pendous sum to be used in putting on the
finishing touches. Alderman Williams has
figured out the cost very carefully, how
ever and he is satisfied that he has not
made an overestimate. In fact, ne is of
the opinion that it would be we'll for the
city if it could arrange to buy all the land
needed now to complete this work, for
cash. as property is enhancing in the
southern section. He regards the city's
system of buying only portion each year,
paying part cash and giving notes for the
balance, a losing one.
1.-THE city has $4,000 of notes falling due
on this account next year, he said, land
1t win hardly allow more than $4,000 ad-
dltional for cash payments. 1t would be
a much better plan to borrow money on
the city's notes and pay cash for the land.
1t seems that there are some legal diff
culties in the way of carrying out this
plan, however. 1 do not believe there
would be any trouble, however, in finding
market for the cfty's notes. / would
be willing to show my faith in the city by
investing in the notes in considerable
amount"
1t has been stated that Alderman Will
Jams may not finish out his term with the
present administration. The alderman
has several times expressed an intention
20 this effect during the last few months.
He has stated, In discussing the matter
with friends that his duties to the city
require a considerable part of his time,
and as his business interests are quite ex-
tensive, he did not feel that he could con-
tinue to serve the city. He found this to
| be the case shortly after his election, but
| as he had become much interested in his
work as chairman of the Committee on
| Street Opening and City Lots, he was not
disposed to leave this work In an unfin-
| ished condition.
| When seen, he said that he has no in
| tention of resigning Immediately. IF
| should resign my resignation will not take
| effect before some time next year." he
| said. "There are several matters in which
| I am interested which are still In an unfin-
| ished condition, and which desire to see
satisfactorily completed"
Mayor Myers and the members Of the
board generally, are not disposed to take
| Alderman Williams expressions in this
matter seriously. They have found him a
valuable co-worker, and they are not dis
posed to lose his services if he can be pre-
vailed upon to remain. Notwithstanding
that he has differed with majority of the
! board on one or two occasions, he is In
thorough harmony with the administra-
ton, and on the most cordial terms with
| his brother members.