The times., 1901-04-25
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
An Adverse Report on Remission
of Tax Penalties.

The Assessor Informs the Commits
NiOncrs That the Levy Was Ac-
cordina To Lav-TriaI Of the Water
Tower A Defective Sidewalk.
B. T. Leighton, acting as attorney Tor
Mrs. E Frances Pitts, recently ad-
dressed the Commissioners with regard
to the payment of the assessment for
water mains against lots 535 to 542 inciu-
sive, and lots GIT to ga inclusive, Fox and
Van Hooks subdivision of Uniontown,
without interest and penalties. The at
torney states that these lots were as
sessed November ,, 1896, fora water main
at $50 each. except lot 624, which was as
sessed at S45, making a total of 1895.
Mr. Leighton states that none Of these
lots is improved, and that they are used
for agricultural purposes. He says the
water main was laid at the request of
the owner of the lot lying to the east of
those enumerated, and that the main was
laid without the knowledge of the other
property owners fronting on Jackson
Street, and for the sole convenience of the
owner of property referred to- He states
further that the main has not been tapped
and may not be for several years to come
MIR. Leighton calls attention TO the act
of Congress approved July s, 1898, for the
assessment and reassessment of water
main taxes, in which there is a proviso
that such tax shall be due and coIlectable
from the date on which the connection is
made from the water main to the parcel
or lot of ground against which the as
sessment is laid. Mr. Leighton calls at
tention to the sale of lots at tax sale and
to the accrued interest and penalties, and
-
tax without these extra costs.
The Assessor, in his report on the appli-
cation, informs the Commissioners that
the assessment was made in accordance
with the law in force at the time, and
that all the requirements of the law were
complied with. He states further that the
law in force at the time this assessment
was levied did not permit of the construc-
ton that the assessment should be due
and payable at the time the main should
be tapped The Assessor, therefore, rec
ommends that the application be not
granted, and it is understood that the
Commissioners will approve the report.
William T. Belt, Acting Chief Engineer
of the Fire Department, has informed
Commissioner Macfarland that the wa
ter tower viii be placed in serv-
Ice today, in accordance with his
orders Mr.. Belt states that there will
be trial of the tower at 10 o'clock this
morning, at which time engines No.
,, regular, and No. G. extra, will be
used. This trial is to be made with a
view to ascertaining the most economical
manner in which to operate the tower at
fires. In connection with the trial there
viii be several experiments along lines
suggested by William A. Mcfarland, the
Superintendent of the Water Department.
1t was noticed at the former trial of
the water tower that the engines were
placed at considerable distances from the
tower, one of them being square away.
In this way much of the power of the en-
gines was lost in the friction on the hose
between the plug and the tower. Mr.. Nc
FarIand has suggested that the engines
should be attached to the nearest plugs
with short hose, and thus gain the high
est efficiency. Today's trial of the water
tower Will be made with special refer
ence to the carrying out of this idea.