The St. Louis Republic., 1901-10-17
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
Continued From Page One.

have compelled resort to so-called private
Streets The amendment will allow these
private streets to be made public. The ded-
| ication and opening of boulevards is the
| subject of new and needed provisions. and
the proceeding for opening streets is i'm
proved.
THE changes proposed relating to street.
alley and sewer improvements are radical
and important, but most of the new fea-
lures have been quite generally discussed by
| others. The idea Of making assessments
for street improvements, in part according
to frontage and in part district accord
ing to area of lots, was first embodied in
amendments proposed in 1888. and has been
approved by all who have studied the sub
joct since. The practical effect in cases
where the improvement Is OF street on
| which the lots have their principal front.
the lots having uniform depths. will not be
a noticeable change The most important
and intended result is to distribute the cost
OF making cross streets upon all the proper
ty benefited
Another important change authorizes par
| tial reconstruction of streets. whereby the
| lower part Of an old pavement. macadam.
Telford or concrete. may be retained and
used as foundation for a new roadway sur
face. This will result in large saving to
property owners.
1.-The paving of cross alleys has been often
l pAS S'SAAsSu' DSS0ASSs uiiOCi PAS'She pioSi-
| sions. the adjoining lots were taxed for the
| cost, though having a side frontage only.
The amendments distribute the cost on all
lots benefited.
PROPER MAINTENANCE
OF STREETS AND ALLEYS.
''In all cases of street or alley improve
ment. 1t Is provided that the ordinance may
require that the work and material must be
guaranteed and kept in repair by the con-
tractor for a term of years, but the inser-
tton OF such provision is optional with the
Board Of Public Improvements. Such provi-
sion Is desirable in many cases. but Is not
| needed in ALL Joint district sewers, under
the amendment. will largely replace the
public sewers Of the present Charter. A
similar provision has enabled Kansas City
to develop its sewer system as rapidly as
necessity required The provision will ap-
ply to reconstruction of old and inadequate
parts OF the city, as well as to the con-
struction OF new sewers In the newer parts.
| The courts will hereafter probably hold the
city responsible for damage from overnows
due to insumciency of sewers, and much re-
construction work must be done which can
not be accomplished under the present Char
ter. The betterment and extension OF our
sewer system is prime sanitary and
| economical necessity.
WILL ENABLE ST. LOUIS
| TO ENTER NEW ERA.
although the proposed amendments will
| add materially to the amounts paid by prop.
erty owners. the burden will be made com.
paratively easy by the provision for pay.
\ ment In from three to seven installments
II the amendments are adopted. consider
able carefully prepared ordinance legisln-
I tion Will be required to to make working
system for public works. Much responsi-
bility will rest upon the Board of Public
improvements, Municipal Assembly and
Mayor, but the city Of st. Louis will be
able to enter upon new era of development
| and prosperity"
CIRCULAR TO EXPLAIN
| PROPOSED CHANGES.
The Public Welfare Commission win to-