The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-05

| public meeting. I don't see why I
should. If those who are opposed to
the Viaduct want a meeting called,
let them call it. I'll give them plenty
OF time. l won't sign the ordinance
IN a hurry. / don't see any reason
TOR my assuming the responsibility
Tor calling such a meeting"
The mayor has received petition
which was circulated by eX-Street
Commissioner c. r. Kingsley request
ing him to sign the ordinance. It is
very lengthy and contains the names
OF nearly every prominent business
man in the central city and nearly
every member of the board of trade.
Numerous other petitions are being
circulated in West Scranton requesting
the mayor to sign the ordinance and
Will be presented to him either to-day
or Tomorrow.
WHAT CHITTENDEN SAYS.
Select Councilman Charles e. Chit
tenden. who is most violently opposed
to building the vjaduct under the pres
emf plan, in speaking about it. yester-
day TO Tribune man said:
When I said in council the other
hlght that the plan was a surreptitio,ls
plan l meant it. 1t is nothing else.
1t is an attempt to saddle big debt
upon the taxpayers of this city in an
illegal manner. The thing has been
before the taxpayers on two occasions
before, the highest estimated expense
ut either time being slG1,GO0 and it has
been defeated twice.
Now. councils are going right ahead
and authorize the erection of this
structure at an expense of 100000 at
the lowest and probably a great deal
more, for l am firmly convinced that
the damages resulting to property
owners between Seventh and Ninth
streets will be at least that amount.
il the taxpayers have voted this
thing down twice, councils shouldn't
come out and openly defy them.
The damages which will be awarded
will increase the city.s debt several
thousand dollars beyond the
two per cent limit fixed by the con-
'tltution and this cannot be done with |
out the consent OF the people. OF |
course, ! know that those who favor
he viaduct say that the debt won't |
re created until after the structure |
s built but that's merely an evasion
IF the law.
HIS FIRM OPINION.
II have firm belief that If any
aXpuyer of this city goes into court |
lfter the viewers report has been con-
irmed, that the judgments can be de-
dared vaid and that not single prop
rty owned can obtain 4 cents worth
" damage.
You'll find that either the street
ailway company or the Lacklwanna
company will bring this matter into
0urt before long in some shape or
ther in order to insure themselves be-
ause it's an open question whether
hey couldn't be compelled 30 pay
he damages If it was decided that the
ity, through the illegal action Of it's
Ouncils is not liable, inaSmuch as
hey would have built the riaduct.
my opinion is that the railroad
ompany should pay the damages as
'ell as build the viaduct. Railroad
all over the country are
ding everything in their power to
bolish grade crossings not only in
arsr ciaies but lin small country
,wns.
Take for instance the little town
Clinton, Conn.,, where l used to
We. 1t has a population of just ex-
city 700 souls and yet the New York,
lew Haven and Hartford railroad
,mpany abolished three grade cross
gs in that village at an expense of
early $4,000. Without any solcita- Z
on whatever on my part or any es-
mate of damages, whatever, re-
lived the company's check for 81, 500
n little strip of land owned by me
h!ch was cut through in making an
'proach to the tracks.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
That's what they do in other parts
the country and that's. what should
, done in this city of ours. Then 0
ere's still another point. Il is gem
ally admitted that the greatest of
dangers at the West Lackawanna
'enue crossing Is the danger of one
the street cars being struck by