The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-30

1t Is now very evident that there will
be quite a strong fight put up against
the Viaduct ordinance in both branches
OF councils when this most important
measure comes up for consideration.
A Tribune man started out yester-
day with the idea in view of getting
poll of both councils on the ques-
ton, but he didn't get very far before
he realized that such q thing Is i'm
possible just yet, as very few MEM
bers know the exact nature of the
amendments to be reported by the
streets and bridges committee of COM
mon council, and consequently We're
not disposed to give their views.
He did discover however. that a
very strong, vigorous and healthy op-
position to the measure has already
developed and that this opposition is
likely to spread If not checked.
The main reasons for this opposition
may, perhaps, be best expressed by
quoting Select Councilman Melvin,
VINO, while he Is not ready to express
himself finally on the matter, is never
theless opposed to the ordinance as
1t stands at present. He said yester-
day:
I'm in favor of a viadGct for West
Scranton and | voted for the ordi-
nance last year but don't like the
way they're going about il this time.
OF course the offer of the companies
to build the viaduct, is an extremely
liberal one. They've done all they can
be expected to do. The point raise
Is that we should not vote to erect
the viaduct and saddle enormous dam
ages on the city unless a majority of
the taxpayers want It.
CONSIDERABLE MIR. MELVIN.
"The talk now is that we don't need
the consent of the taxpayers and that
we can authorize the construction of
the viaduct without caring what they
think about it. allowing the damages
to be charged up against the city as
judgments. Maybe we can, but even
if We have the right, we should put
the question up for vote OF the peo-
pie. They've defeated 1t twice before"
Mr.. Melvin's remarks crystalized the
sentiments of those who are expected
to oppose the passage of the ordinance.
They concede that councils may haV,
the legal right to provide for the con-
struction of the viaduct, but they be-
lieve that there Is moral right which
demands that the people have a say.
There are q few, two or three per-
haps, who don't want viaduct in the
center Of the street, but those favor
ing the ordinance believe that these
can be easily won over. There are
others who say they will not vote for
the ordinance until they have some
definite idea as to the aggregate
amount of damages likely to be in
CURED, so that 1t may be necessary to
appoint a special committee to esti-
mate damages in order to satisfy these.
There are many, many more council
men. be it said, however, who think
that the ordinance should be passed
as quickly as possible, in order that
the threatened danger to life and limb
may be averted before some terrible
accident occurs at the crossing. They
are optimistic, too, and prophecy that
the ordinance will be easily passed.
Mayor Moir unequivocally announced
his position on the question to a Trib-
une man yesterday. He is in favor OF
the ordinance: will sign it, and Will
use every effort in his power to secure
| its passage. He said:
MAYOR MOIR's VIEWS.
II am in favor of the present plar
| because I hnlieya II to ba tho has,