The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-23
PAVE THE STREETS.
Let the New City Hall Wait for
Awhile,

Let the New City Hall Wait for
Savannah, Ga, Aug. Editor
Morning News: was indeed pleased
on reading your editorial in your is
sue of the 7th inst. relating to grade
crossings. The manner in which you
handled this subject convinced me
that you are fully alive to the inter-
ests of our community. 1t is apparent
to every one that further argument
upon the subject would be a waste of
time and a waste of space in your
valuable paper; hence after approving
of all that you have said as to grade
crossings, desire to use your columns
for the purpose of bringing to the at
tention Of the taxpayers another mat
ter which is Of great Importance to our
citizens.
AS 1 understand it, City Council
proposes to build a new city hall, and
while / am not averse to progress or
Improvement of any character, think
it is we'll to place the taxpayers
money where we will get the greatest
good for the amounts expended, and
while 1 should be glad to witness the
completion Of such a building as is
proposed for the new city hall, L
prefer to have the building of the new
city hall deferred unless it is pos
sible to carry on a more important
work, namely, the opening and paw
ing of streets. Under the present plan
OF street paving the city pays one
third of the cost and the AUDITING
property holders two-thirds; hence
With an expenditure of $1500O0, which
appears to be the amount which Coun-
ell figures to expend for a city hall,
would give to our people $4,000 in
street paving. Experience demon
strates the. fact that wherever a street
is opened all the way to the extended
limits that the growth upon that par
ticular street in the way of improve
ments compensates very largely for
the cost of the lands necessary for
opening of the street in the way of
taxes upon the improvements and the
increased value of the lands abutting
on such a street or streets, and espe-
cially is this true if the street when
extended is paved To illustrate, take
Jefferson street from Anderson to
Twelfth, or what is now known as
Forty second street, look back prior to
the opening and paving of this street.
which has not been very long since,
drive out now and look at the present
improvements, and venture to assert
that the taxes upon the improvements
and increasing values have already
paid the city the cost of paving and
opening the street AS another practi-
cal demonstration of the effect of
opening streets, take Henry street
from Price street to Waters avenue
avenue through Collinsville. Look at
the improvements that have sprung
up since this street has been opened,
and look at the improvements now go
ing on since it has been paved. Then
look to the north of Duffy street,
which is opened up to Atlantic ave-
nue. and mark the comparison, and
you'll will see at a glance that although
the city spent some money in paving,
they are now receiving a revenue in
the way of taxes on improvements
which will compensate for the expen-
diture made in a very short while. So
it is everywhere that we find streets
properly opened and especially if
paved.
I am informed by parties in a posi-
ton to know that prior to the OPEN
ing and paving Of Henry street, lots
were practically unstable, whereas
to-day there are but few lots on Henry
street that can be purchased for less
than $500 cash, and in some instances
they are being held for $1,000 each.
1t is not my purpose to criticise
Council because as a matter of fact
the public improvements under the
present administration have been very
satisfactory to taxpayers, and the fact
of their return to power for several
terms is proof that the taxpayers are
satisfied; but there are no Councils
so wise but that they may need sug-
gestions from time to time which may
result in public good If adhered to-
Our worthy Mayor is committed to
the policy of opening streets and will
no doubt carry out his views at the
proper time, but what 1 apprehend
is that If the City Hall is built that
Council will of necessity have to defer
the opening and paving of streets,
which l believe to be much more i'm
portant than the building of a new
City Hall. If we cannot have both.
then let Council open and pave streets
and the citizens will be satisfied to