Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-01-05

rata vi lue actual cost OF materials placed
IN position, and as the business property
and interest would receive the largest
benefits, business license, including
trucks and drays for one or two years,
would amply provide for the expense in
cident to such Improvement,
THE CITY'S FINANCES.
If there be one subject which has and
will for time continue to engage the
serious thought and attention of your
honorable body more than another, it is
the city's finances. This subject is not a
pleasant one to contemplate, when the
mention brings to mind our municipal in
debtedness. TO censure and complain of
those whom you might charge with being
responsible for this debt or any part of it
will avail nothing. However, the very
fact of its existence will be turned to ac-
count, as it will be the warning sentinel
to you, and you should in the future guard
against the very appearance of such an
evil.
1t will be your duty to thoroughly ac-
quaint yourselves with this subject, and
with the facts we'll in hand, devise means
satisfactory to both debtor and creditor
looking to its reduction as fast as possible
Based on the best information at hand,
l would suggest refunding as plan wor-
thy of some consideration. Money in a
lump sum should be had at a less interest
amounts, and every effort looking to the
lessening of a growing interest account
is move in the right direction. The
plan in mind does not contemplate the
adding ofthe present principal and earned
interest for a new principal, to have an
interest power. In that case the interest
earned on the increased principal, though
at less rate, would too nearly approach
the present amount to effect the saving
hoped for. But it is the principal alone
at the present tine that has an earning
power, and If an arrangement could Dr
had with the holders ofwarrants whereby
the principal now earning a larger per
cent be paid with cash had i'll lump
sum at a less rate, and the interest earned
to be provided for by a special issue OF
non-interest bearing warrants to be paid
by serial number as at present.
For example, if A holds warrant No.
500, for 500 on which there is a Il accrued
interest of $25 at 10 per cent. and his war
rant be the 10th outstanding, by this plan
A would accept 500 III cash, from lump
sum, had for, say S per cent, and a spec
ial non-interest bearing warrant, No. 10,
for $25 in settlement, without injury to
either party, and effect material saving
to the city,
ASSESSMENT AND TAXES.
/ am in receipt of a note from H. M.
Boone, mayor of Palouse, advocating a
change in the present state law relative to
the making of assessments and the collec-
ton of taxes in municipalities. 1t is ex-
pedient that you give this your early at
tention, that some effort may be made in
this direction, if in your Judgment such a
change would be desirable.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
am inclined to the belief that our
present fire department is not as efficient
as the needs of our community demands
We have been especially fortunate i'll this
direction of late years, but it is very inn
portant that the best means be employed
to guard against loss by fires. Our sppa-
ratus should be manned by we'll oiicered
and drilled companies, and the depart
ment kept in manner adequate to any
should one arise.
FLOODS.
The experience with high water III the
past, and the damage done to both pub
lie and private property may in some
measure be attributed to distractions of
the creek S channel, by growing brush,
large amount of which is on railroad and
other private property. This and other
should be removed, as
means of preventing, as far as possible,
loss by floods or high waters.
ELEcTRIc LIGHTS.
If it was within easy command, not one
,itizen of Pullman, worthy of the appella-
ion, but would wish to see i'll operation
/ good system of electric lights, and there
IAN hardly be valid reason why such an
should not be owned and OPP
.rated by the city. We have reached
hat point where it is not unconservative /
o see that such an enterprise is not only
desirable, but an actual necessity. am
convinced that a system may be installed