Evening journal., 1903-03-13
Mr.. FORD APPEARS
BEFORE COUNCIL
Denied Stories Circulated
Through City Concerning
His Street Bill
NOTHING UNDERHAND IN IT, SAYS He

Thousands Of Dollars for Tax With.
out Receiving Cent in Return in
improvements.
Street improvement was the tonic NJ
discussion at the meeting of Cibv
Council last night and a number of
prominent citizens were present in the
interest of the bill at present before
the Legislature for a loan Of s240 900
with which to improve thoroughfares
in this city. An argument, In which
Peter j. Ford and Street and Sewer
Commissioner johnson took the lead
ing part, held the attention of the |
councilmen and numerous spectators |
present Others who were given the /
privilege CT the floor were Attorney II. |
II. Ward, John n Carswell, John
Woodland and Charles III. BlOcher.
After the meeting a conference was
held between Mr.. Ford and Mr.. John
son and the latter agreed to the bill
with the streets named in It. with a
provision that certain streets shall be
paved each year and that the amount
to be borrowed shall be sufficient TO
improve all sections needing improve
ment THE majority of cOuncilmen
went to Dover this morning to be pres
ent at the joint session of the I.egisla-
ture when the measure would be con-
sidered.
Mr.. Ford's Argument.
Mr.. Ford said in part:
Il have been connected with the af-
fairs Of this city for almost twenty
five years and have paid in years back
quite a considerable sum OF money in
taxes. My experience as a property
owner and taxpayer has not been very
pleasant I have paid thousands Of
dollars in tax on property that the city
has not paid cent on for improve
ment- l did not think it would be
necessary for me to come before this
ibody In the interest or this bill. last
winter on one street In the western
section OF the city a certain family
wanted me TO use my influence TO pro
cure some coal This family had two
sick children in it and only enough
coal for one day. / succeeded In in
ducing Mr.. Warner TO send coal to this
afflicted family, but when the wagon
arrived at its destination it became
stuck in the mire in the street. The
driver embarrassed his horses and
went back, leaving the wagon load OF
coal standing in the street. The next
morning he returned and carried the
fuel in sections to the house. As a re-
suit one Of the sick children died.
THE poor man has as much right tc
consideration as the richest man who
hves in the finest mansion l am In
lavor of paving every street In the
city and came here mainly tonight tC
refute the statement made by Street
and Sewer Commissioner johnson
who. have been told said last nigh
that Il would require the whole OF thu
appropriation TO carry out the i'm
lprOvements in the section OF the cit,
in which am interested.
What want to take exception 10 4
that it has been said throughout tn
city that / would be the only one Il
benefit by this bill. ! want 20 say tha
II the improvements are made that
ask, they can be accomplished for tn
sum of $35, 900, which can prove de
spite reports to the contrary. / cai
remember back thirty-flve years, an
at that time from Madison to Churcl
streets and from Front to Sevent
streets was almost all paved, and wan
also to say that some Of the street
r hlave been paved three times.
-Four years ago bill was present
ed before the Legislature asking fc
$50000 for the purpose of improvin
, streets in this city. The Street an
Sewer Department at that time prom
b ised to pave Fourth street from Unio
= street to the city line and also to Fl
r In a number Of thoroughfares in thi
o locality with ashes. The measui
n was passed, carrying with it the sur
q lof $4,000, but the promised improvl
lments in the section of which / al
speaking were not made. Two yea
ago another $4,000 was asked for an
again I was promised that the wOi
k would be done. but as yet, with the e,
Is ception of four carloads of dirt, q
improvements remain undone.
y 'Mr. H. H. Ward and myself own
!. whole block at Sixth and Rodn'
: streots and are compelled to wa'
u through mud to reach our homes.
- do not take exception against the
men for opposing the bill, but |
is aigainst the false statements made co
n corning me in the matter. Rumo
circulated about the city say that
n am interested in the bin because Jol
n. Carswell has a quarry. ! want
say now that that story is absolute
" false. as Mr. Carswell was ignorant
T" this measure until / called his ate
II tion to IL. 1 am not concerned in al
bill there IS any underhanded busine
in. and j want it understood that with
I do in this matter will be open to Il
d public scrutiny"
After Mr.. Ford had finished spea
= ing Mr.. Smith said that he had o
Is posed the bill last night because it vi
~ pointed out TO him that the whole a
" proprisfion would be expended in u
e. section Of the city in question befo