The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-07
Eetfers to tbe Gdftcr
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
1s There Sanitary Sewer on Bain-
 bridge Streetp

.mI "a
 Is There . Sanitary Sewer on Bain-
 bridge Streetp
 Edltors. The Advertiser.
 When the city presented the plans and specincations for grading the intersection oh Adams and Bainbridge streets, from a carefuI Inspection, one might easily infer, shat tney had been prepared to defeat tho improvement rather than accomplish it. Not only was the amount of work re- qulred unnecessarily large. but the man. ner Of performing 1t was most difficult.
 Ine conditions were such that we did no. think that any one would bid on 1t. ana We expressed this opinion, at the lmes to Mr. Roemer, Chairman of the street Committee. Hence, we suggested that ne first try to get the excessive con ditions rnodifed. before advertising for plds- This he did. but was unable to ob- tain any modification whatever.
 Upon advertising. contractors carefully examined the plans and specifications, Dut turned away; when asked for bids, they declined. saying that the difficulties ana responsibilities were too great. When asked for information and criticism upon the work, they would hardly say anything whatever They did not care to express an opinion as It might embarrass them with the City Engineer who inspects and passes upon their work throughout the city.
 Contractors having turned away. 1t was then that an ordinance was introduced for the City to do the work. Estimates of cost were requested. The City Engineer responded with an estimate of $as22.00. We fioundered around. coaxed, argued and persuaded for some time. and could not find anyone. who was willing to make even an estimate. At length. We found man who realizing the importance and facility of the work finally consented to make an estimate, even though against his inclination, Mir B. B. Smith, Civil Engineer. naturally gifted and of fine preparation and broad experience. He excluded unnecessary work, and found parties to take contracts at such prices. that his estimate became about half of that above, allowing a small credit for dirt carried to other streets.
 It was thought, at first. that the dirt was very valuable to the city; 1t is now proposed to waste" 1t On Centeniai Hill. That sec ton has its own hills. that need to be graded, and will furnish all the dirt ne- cessary to i'll depressions in that vicinity. Why haul a hill, half mile. to get rid of 1t when the dirt is badly needed in low places at it's very base? Long haus are expensive, not only on account of distance, but also because wagons and many men with shovels are required. while on short hauls, the dirt can be re- moved by wheei-scrapers and few men.
 Just south of this hill, there is a negro settlement, where the water stands after every rain. One house has been entirely deserted, for some time, on account of water standing beneath it. Throughout the summer months the hearse is q fre- quent visitor to this section. For years, 1t has been menace to the health of the entire city. Sell the dirt and thereby re- duce the cost of work, and remove a me- mace to fife by converting an unwholsome ugly neighborhood into one of purity and beauty. For years the health of the pub lie, has demanded some relief in that neighbofhood.
 Whites have never lived in this bottom, not only on account of unhealthy condi- tions, but also because 1t has no direct approach to town. except by climbing 8 steep hill Improve the approach to the city by grading the hill, make conditions more healthful, and this section will soon be occupied by whites, in order to be near the Decatur Street School. The increased value of property will also increase the taxes to be paid to the city; so that the improvement Is advisable even from an economical stezdpoint. We own no prop erty in that bOtton, and have nothing to sell, but we are interested In having a healthy, decent neighborhood
 Moreover, it is not desirable to have an unsightly negro settlement in such close proximity to white school. It Is quite possible for trouble between the children of the two races to occur. Either side may be to blame. White boys often teaza or haze a litIe darkie without any pro- vocation whatever. Why not remove the opportunity of trouble by making the vi- cinity of the school favorable for ocupa- ton by its patrons?
 For twelve years. we have wrestled with every City Council for some relief in this neighborhood. and 1t is earnestly hoped that this administration will grade the hill, and thereby change the appear ance of this entire locality.
 The latest development Is that there is no sewer on Bainbridgo Sstreet between Adams and Dexter Avenue. Owners of ought to know. isnist that 1t Is not there. From the records in the Engineers Office 1t ought to be there. Is it, or is 1t not? Has the city paid for something, which it did not get? Will the properse authorities please investigate, and inform the Coun- ell Monday night. It may influence their action. Why advertise for bids, and make high estimates for lowering pipes, that were never laid?
 Let the improvement stand or fall upon it's merits: do not pad the plans and specifications with unnecessary cost, or with difficulties that do not exist. Fair play, boys. fair play