Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-07-29
HALT!
BoardComeSB Back
With Figures.
Claims That Bridge Is
Held Up
Not by Majority, But a
Few "Kickers."
Mr. Ssybo..d Handles the Ques'
ton Without Gloves.

Some of the principal klckers noiu-
ing up the construction of the Falor
st. bridge are among those whose as
sessments are so small that the ex-
pense would scarcely be noticed SAID
City Commissioner Seybold, Tuesday.
"Their complaint is that the district
is too small, and that assessments
would necessarily be large. One OF
their attorneys admitted to us that
he couldn't see how we could take in
more taxpayers than we have in the
present district. 4t
"The action of these few is unfair
to the rest. They do not represent the
majority of the taxpayers in the dis
trict, but seek selfishly to carry out
their wishes to the detriment of a
body much larger than themselves.
The rubber industries and one or two
other corporations and several of the
larger property owners pay the half,
at least, Of the total expense of the
bridge. The Diamond Rubber Co.
will pay $2,444.62; Goodrich, $2,32l 80;
American Hard Rubber Co.. $56662;
Water Works Co., $500; Hankey Lum-
Der Co., $266s0, making a total of
$6O99.64. These corporations are not
objectinS. You might say they are
being benefited far more than the
others, but you can see that they are
paying far more, too. And it is also
not hard to see how the hundreds of
people employed by them will be bene-
flied by the bridge.
''To say the least, the action of the
people who are trying to hold up this
| improvement against the wishes of the
majority is very strange The city
officials have waited nearly five years
to give the people time t9 make up
their minds as to what they want.
The majority has decided for bridge,
but the minority, by means of an in
junction, denies them the improvement
This is not right. r.
"And the kickers have been very
unfair, too. Some of them have gone
among classes of the taxpayers to be
assessed, and misrepresented the
situation. The total assessment is to
be paid in five years. For instance
the total assessment of one man is $50
He would be obliged to pay SO year
But kickers have gone to this man, and
told him that his assessment of $3(
means that he must pay $50 yea. fol
five years This Is not only ,willfu
misrepresentation of facts. but a con-
temptible imposition upon those less
thoroughly acquainted with the situa
ton.
"The threat to oust the Board will
not be allowed to operate as clul
over the heads of the City Commission
ers In this matter, No notice has ye
been served on the Board that it II
enjoined from going ahead with this
work. Until this notice Is served
on us, We will go right ahead. If W,
didn't we would jeopardize our bonds
We are under bond to carry out tn,
legislation of Council. That body re
solved and ordained that we construc
the bridge. No notice has been serve,
on us that we are enjoined from do
ing so, and our oaths OF, office compe
us to go ahead until such notice /
served.
1T remains yet to be determine,
whether the City Commissioners ar
an unconstitutional body. If they are
the fact would not change the situa
tlon relative to this bridge. The Cour
ell would continue under the old lay
existing before the Commissioner lay
was enacted. Council has passed leg
islation for the construction of thi
bridge and IL the Board were oustet
the work would be done under tn
direction OF Council. a
There are over ] 400 taxpayers |
the district to be assessed for the cor
struction of the bridge. The annu,
assessment for many of them will nj
exceed 81. Some will pay amount
annually as small as 10 cents. III
average amount to be paid annual
by each individual win be a sma
matter.
THE people in this district shoul
realize that the bridge will enhan'
the value of property. Are they u
willing under this circumstance to pa
their assessments? The people in tn
district, who are bemoaning an alleg'
+, extrayagance on the part Of the ci
officials, show a remarkable incol
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