The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-06-09

Ot the batture property there are
only eight lots not leased, at present.
The batture from Manning's to the
railroad bridge, we are informed, is
reserved for railway trackage.
With these explanations let a"y
intelligent citizen figure out. The
proposition OF business bssis.
! On business basis the figures mn t
be on the offer of $4,000 for ttc
eight lots in question.
The rental revenue on that bas'
at, at least per cent would, yield
$1,000. Ths rentals received aggrS
gate S77275, which is less than 4 per
cent. How is this Tor d business
proposition
The valuauon of the lots in block
50, III which are located the Parsons
foundry, the Hicks warehouse,
Morse's compress and Chstwiu, i, at
Least of equal value as the Cotton
Belt block and 1t yields 1920 in rer-
tai per annum, which is less than 2
per cent. How is this for knta!, as
a paying business proposition
We hold, as a business proposition.
that long lease is equivalent to q
sale.
We hold, a. a business proposition,
that property, even if it be owned by
the city aud which fails TO realize at
least per cent of its valuation, is
Improbable.
We hold, as a business proposition,
that the city eau derive no adequate
benefits from limited rentals, and 50
long as the property is owned by The
city it can have no assessable value
and therefore can. yield no revenues
to the city, parish and State?
1t Is the policy OF the State to sell
"public domain" to bomesteaders
who, by improving the land, give II
an assessed valuation which is fixed
in Keeping with the improvements.
Such lana yield no profit to the
State when it is owned by the state,
but it becomes tax producer when
1t iS the property OF the individual.
The LeVee Board also sell "the
public domain" which il unpro6tab
until it IL owned by the individual
who contributes, in time, q revenue
by taxation TO the State and the
parish.
II the, city were to sell alt the bat
tare lots. on. the basis of $2s, 900 for
the eight lotl, the revenues which
would accrue in taxation would be
greater than the rentals which cou j
be realized and the revenue from tax
alton would increase in the PROPOSE
tion OF the Improvement OF the prop
erty, whether It be held by q railroad,
. firm or an individual.
Viewed from . practical business
standpoint, we believe it to be the
best policy TO sell, as the moment
these lots are sold they be-
sorae ssssssable property and will
yIelS In taxation . revenue much
greater than the amount now being
paid for rental and for which the
company has lease which will not
expire in less than thirteen years.
Viewed from business standpoint
and from this consideration we are
firm in the opinion that "the city
would reap the benefits OF the appre-
ciated value" and the benefit by the
Inves' ment in one or more public
schools, y hich could be erected this
summer and be ready for use next
fall and winter, would be to "t1e
best interests of the city of Shreve.
port"
The sale of the property in aues-
ton and the erection by the city of
one or more school houses, should
operate no bar to or Interfere with
any plans of the School Board. On
the contrary, it is the Csueasisn's
opinion that the citY's action would
give greater endorsement and stimu.
lIs to the School Board in their plan
to reslizs $4,000 for public school
purposes in the Shreveport school
district.
The Caucasian stands for school
houses and will give loyal and un-
sinted support to the School Board
in building school houses, bnt what
ever be the zeal of the most enthusi.
astic 1t would not be possible to
make available this year, the neces-
sary taxation which would have to be
voted, at a special election, for that
purpose, even If ordered by the Police
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