The St. Louis Republic., 1901-05-11
Board of Public Improvements
Will Hear Arguments Next
Tuesday Morning.
FEW NOTIFICATIONS PROPOSED
Installment System of Paying
Public improvements May BE
One of the Amendments
to the Bill.

Harvey L. Christie, Jr. representing the
Nonpartisan Commission for the Public
Welfare. appeared before the Board OF Pub
lie improvements yesterday and asked for
a hearing on the proposed amendments to
the City Charter. The board designated 10
o'clock next Tuesday morning as the time
for the hearing.
President Phillips. Sewer Commissioner
Hermann. Street Commissioner Varrelmaun
and other members Of the board, insist that
1t would not now be advisable. since the
United States Supreme Court sustained the
front-foot system of taxation. to change
that system for the district method con-
tained in the Charter amendment bill.
However. they state that the existing sys-
tenn Of special taxation might be advanta-
geously amended 80 as to permit INSTALL
ment payments for public improvements
1T Is my opinion that we should implic-
lily rely upon the virtues of the front-foot
SYSTEM" Mr.. Varrelmann said. For many
years this method was tested in court.
eventually resulting in radical indorsa-
ment of 1t by the Supreme Court. Inas-
much as the law has that high indorse-
ment, contests have ceased and contractors
Will readily accept the special tax bills
II we now forsake the ratified system
for another that has not been ratified. we
shall be obliged to contend with further
contests. and the result will be that public
work will be obstructed and delayed We
would have the same trouble over again
We are now sure that the tax bills are good
That was the principal point at issue. With
the Supreme Courts ratification, We can
proceed with public improvements of all
kinds
Il would not object to a modification OF
1nxx To-,
payments. That amendment would not al.
feet the law. and 1t might be beneficial to
property-owners. On the other hand, prop
erty-owners will find no difficulty in making
loans to pay for improvements"
President Phillips thinks that the opinion
moves all doubt as to the validity Of special
tax bills and that 1t would be unwise to
advocate a change In the system of taxation,
to pursue improvements and we can get
ready for the Worlds Fair. A change in
11re,n 1ne mesnod might interrupt all public i'm
Sewer Commissioner Hermann agrees In
this opinion.
While recommending that this feature be
bill. President Phillips emphasizes the ne
cess.ty for Charter amendments, particular
" that amendment authorizing increase In
ers, for the erection OF public buildings.
This Is one Of the chief features Of the
Charter amendment bill.
Mayor Wells and Comptroller Player de-
clare that the public building amendment
should by all means be submitted to the
voters. I'VE must amend our Charter SO
that we may have the authority to con.
struct public buildings" said Mayor Wells.
This Is absolutely necessary. The amend
ment, as study will disclose. merely aug
ments the scope Of the Charter by granting
the city powers to which II Is rightly en-
titled. The increase in taxation could to
effected only by the vote Of the people. and
the city should have the authority to SUBJ
NIT such proposition to the voters at any
time. This Charte: amendment is vitality
urgent"