Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-25
THE PAVING SCHEME AGAIN

The project for the paving Of South
Temple street to its eastern limit has
stirred up a great deal OF unnecessary
ill-feelng This Is promoted by the
spirit in which the subject Is handled
by our local contemporaries No good
purpose will be served by misrepresent-
irg the facts, or by attempting TO evade
the law relating to the subject. a brlcf
statement OF the case In dispute will,
perhaps, make the matter clear to rea-
sonable readers who are not blinded by
personal motives or party prejudlces,
and are not biased by schemes that
have Interior ends in view.
The original proposition or petition to
the city Council for the paving Of the
street named, was signed by owners Of
about one-third OF the property 'front.'
ing on the street. That was all right
and their undcubted privilege. The
matter was referred TO the finance COM
mittee, who reported that there was no
plan submitted for the construction Of
the work, which involved different
methods TO those employed on COM
paratively level streets this one having
two levels requiring retaining walls and
other special features, and the commit
tee recommended the postponement Of
the Improvement for one year. This
was adopted, we believe unanimously.
A counter petition was received by the
ncupmiI Sigricd by owners Of about
forty pine Der cent of the front footage,
protesting against the project.
The people who wanted the work
commenced at once and the contract to
be entered into for the paving, then
conceived the plan OF arranging for the
payment of the cost In annual install
ments covering period Of about six
years. This made the proposition much
more favorable to the residents on the
street, and 80 number Of them
changed their minds and they signed a
new petition having this plan for pay
ment in view. When II came up again
before the council, II was considered
wise TO give the opponents Of the mea-
sure q hearing, and last Wednesday
representatives. on either side were lis
tened 70, and II appeared that there
was q very strong opposition to the
f, paving scheme, unless payment could
be arranged on the instalment plan,
and that was looked upon as Of doubt
ful legality even though some eminent
lawyers argued that It could be done,
IN way which they pointed out but
which smacked very strongly OF eva
sion.
The street committee was added to
the finance committee for the consider
alton OF the question and they have yet
10 report The probability is, that a
majority win favor postponement OF
The work, for reasons that have already
been advanced some Of which have
been st forth IN these columns. II
viii be necessary, perhaps, TO consider
Them again We hope our friends who
want the paving done at once viii curb
their impatience. and not ny alto
pieces If the other side OF the subject is
set forth. and II appears that OF ne
sessity there must be some delay IN this
good work which they propose.
Suppose all the property owners on
the street those VINO petition for the
paving those who oppose IT, ana those
who being absent have not united IN
desiring the work to be done. payment
for II to b. made by instruments In six
years. Can the council contract now
for The paving. IN view OF the inhihi-
lions Of the constitution and the stat
uies limiting the power Of the city
as to Indebtedness. That Is the main
question. II viii cost the city about
$4,000 to DO Us part Of the work on
s'yeo: erossing& &c, = ssise this