Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-09-15
THE WEST SIDE GRIEVANCE.

rs alt Lake City, Sept. II, 1903.
Editor Deseret News.
Dear slr--For the benefit Of some
OF the residents OF the west side OF the
city. viii you kindly answer few
questions relative TO your editorial re-
marks of Friday, the nth inst, about
the proposed new railroad depots' In
that issue Of the News YOU say. The
public viii not object to having two
magnificent depots, and the property
owners in the vicinity of each viii be
benefited, In the increased values that
VIII accrue TO their holdings In what
way, ! would ask can ones property
be increased In value by having the
streets leading from It to the central
part OF town closed. and he Is put to
the Inconvenience OF going several
blocks out of his way In order to reach
his place OF business? ! VIII admit
that the property owners on the east
side OF the tracks may be benefited II
they wish to sell or lease their land
for warehouses, etc. But that land ~
ing west of the depot is rendered less
valuable, even for such purposes be-
cause II IL shut OFF from the main part
OF the city, and Ia therefore undesira-
BILE to merchants for storage purposes.
But suppose the erection Of the new
depots and the other changes proposed
Will enhance the value of the property
so far as the price is concerned, OF
what benefit Is that to the man who
has no property for sale2 This only
benefit he viii get viii be an Increase
In his taxes, If the tax assessor con-
slders that the property has been en-
HANGED In value.
II cannot understand how the im-
n
TO benefit the west side property own
ers. These changes may be desirable,
but those who arc benefited by them
should remunerate those who are in
jured. Property below the railway
tracks has been deprecated ever since
the railroads have Seen built. This Is
evident to ALL The west side was the
choice part Of the city In early days,
but since the advent Of the railway
people Of means have all moved away
10 more desirable places.
81 do not think there are any proper
~ owners on the west side who desire
to stand In the way Of the progress OF
the city, All they want Is their rights.
They are entitled TO a right Of way ON
the streets leading TO the center OF
town, and every street that is closed
should be provided with a viaduct for
crossing, and owners Of property abut-
ting the viaduct should be remuncrated
for the damages done TO their property
by the erection OF the unslghtly struc-
lures IN front Of their residences. Now
do YOU think this is an unreasonable
demand II one railway company
wants the right Of way of another rail-
way company II VIII have 10 pay for
~ or n one road wishes to yet
through q narrow pass whore another
road holds the right OF way. tho see
ond one has TO find some way OF GET
ting through without iniuring the FIRST.
Tho citizens have acquired on possess
n rlght OF way along an our public
streets. and no one vs. Justified IN talk
Ing that right away from them without
their consent.
Respectfully
EDWIN IT, PARRY"
We print the foregoing letter because
we desire to give the people on the
west side Of tho city an opportunity
to present their grievances real and al
legged against the closing Of certain
streets for portion of their distance.
IN order that tho Union depot designed
for the oregon Short Line and SAN
Pedro railways may be erected. with
accommodations for the railroads and
the public
The objoctor, no doubt, voices the
feelings Of number OF people in that
locality. but like many correspondents
who desire us to answer questions.
while he starts out with some inquiries
he goes on so express his own opinions
and explain some things which we SUP.
posed ne wanted tho "News" 10 cx-
pound However we give his letter
In full as we DO not wish TO exclude
from view the Ideas entertained by reo.
pie who are not fully IN accord with IN,
desires Of the railroad companies.
In reference to the first inquiry. a.
to the benefit that win accrue from
the building Of the dopots contemplate
ed to the property owners In their VI
entity our correspondent has partly
saved us the necessity OF making reply.
lie admits that some Of them viii be
benefited, but there are others who win
not be, as they do not wish TO sell
or lease their holdings and DE claims
that the only benefit they win reap
VIII be an increase IN taxes Woll the
taxes win certainly not be lncreas a
unless the value Of properly Is raised.
80 that on the whole cur statement
appears to be correct The value OF
property viii be Increased in the vicin.
ny by the erection Of the great struc-
tdres now projected,
Now as to the closing OF certain
streets for portion OF their distance.
Eome OF them have been and are uu-
cafe to traverse because OF the numor.
sus tracks. and they ought to be closed
70 general traffic anyhow, Provision