Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-10-09
Municipal Conditions in Eagles

Mere.
The question of just what a Bor-
Cugh Council should do may be a
matter of law but it must necessarily
often be modified by peculiar condi-
tions such as obtain in Eagles Mere.
Here almost ninety per cent of the
taxes are paid by people who have
no vote, and practically all of the
business of the place comes from peo-
pie whose maximum residence is not
over four months and largely the
Z residential period is measured by
sixty days. 1t is said that nearly
sixty per cent of the visitors who
come here are only with us for one
season, but we regard that cstima-
ton rs probably erroneous. Never
theless it is beyond any possible
question that our summer popula-
ton must be attracted year by year.
There is not anywhere near the dis
position to build cottages that there
was six or eight years ago. The
cheaper structures of what have here
tofOre been known as Eagle Mere
Chautauqua may continue to Increase
in number, but the more expensive
buildings of Eagles Mere proper do
not seem to exceed the average of
one per annum which is not likely
to increase under existing methods.
With these premises what conclu-
sions are forced upon us in reference
to the advisable course of our munic-
ipal management? Clearly it would
seem that our Borough Fathers are
in the position of Trustees for the
people whose property they admin
lister and whose money they spend.
1t is impossible that those who pay
almost ninety percent of the taxes
could have anything to say and yet
as Il matter of supreme trust, as the
wisest course to pursue to maintain
the business on which we live, to
steer clear of the mistaken policy of
"killing the goose that lays the gold
en- egg" it is almost self evident
that we commit the grave error of
tying ourselves to methods, prece-
dents and practices of other munich
palities that do not resemble ours in
the slightest degree. We venture to
express doubt as to there being
in Pennsylvania another borough in
which conditions are quite like ours.
In manufacturing place the true
policy would be to direct energy and
expenditure to fostering industries
of that kind, if merchandising was
the source of prosperity then totally
different plans would be indicated,
and in our case as the whole source
of our well being is the attractive
ness of our place as summer resort
that fact should direct every step we
may take in municipal affairs.
1t is idle to expect the summer
population to originate or direct
plans for municipal Improvement.
They do not understand conditions,
they are not here long enough to do
anything of the sort and they do not
come here to work out any such
problems. They are here for needed
rest and recreation. They spend
their money for that purpose and
they expect to find conditions here
when they come that will give them
the twenty-four hours of rest and
pleasure every day they are here.
They do not want to figure out any
problems of road Improvement, of
attractive scenery, accessibility of
natures treasures or anything of
that sort. "They cheerfully pay the
bills" and they expect to find every
thing in good shape when they come
and to have it continue in that shape
all the while they are here. Hence
our councilmen should get rid of the
idea that the iniative of measures
of improvement is not with
them. They have been chosen be-
cause of supposed ability to antici-
pate, direct and execute the efforts
that shall attract ever increasing
numbers Of people and of dollars to
the place. The principal problem
that our Conncil have to solve is not
how to reduce expenses and cut down
the taxes but rather how to increase