Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-01-04

creasing valuations make this a favor
able time to begin the creation of a
sinking fund to wipe out bonded in
debtedness as fast as it natures, and /
suggest that the charter be amended, if
necessary, to that end.
/ know of no more important matter,
next to the question of finance, than
the matter of street paving. This ques-
ton has come up for attention. and bids
fair to be worked out successfully and
fairly to all property owners, as well as
the general public. SO much has been
said, so many in~disputable arguments
set forth in it's favor, and enough en-
courage ment has come from many
sources, that it seems hardly necessary
to take up any time in setting forth the
advantages of paving our streets. It is
my honest opinion that the kind of
pavement under consideration, the War
ren's Bitulithic pavement, cannot be
~equalled for durability, and the cost is
far below that of other pavements. An
other point in favor of this new pave
ment, which is crushed stone solidly ce-
mented, is that 80 per cent of the money
expended will be paid out right here in
the city for labor and materials. 1 UNI
derstand that if the Warren people do
our work the force they will bring will
number five men. The rest of the many
men employed will be our own people.
The rock quarry, the property of Ma
rion county, is another home %institu-
ton, and the work outside of the actual
paving, will be beneficial to all lines of
business.
l am in favor of paving. I prefer
the Warren pavement, because it is
both cheap and durable, but if the peo-
pie can't agree on this kind, then I
want some other. The question of paw
ing should he settled alone by our mo-
%torious need of street improvement. An
unpaved business street is our worst
advertisement. If the matter of cost
prevents any number Of our property
owners from laying pavement, 1 rec
ommend that the city make payment for
these owners and allow them a reason
able period of years to reimburse the
city. This plan has been successfully
carried out In other places not only for
street work, but for the laying of ce-
ment sidewalks, and other such inn
provements. In one city the council
agrees to sprinkle the street every sum-
mer in front of every piece of property
the owner of which would lay a con
crete walk and curb. This plan resulted
in much Improvement, especially in the
residence portion of the city. Paved
streets mean no more dust in the sum
mer flying into our stores, into our
faces and miniature whirlwinds about
the streets. The building of c~rosswalks
will be done away with. This pavement
will make it unnecessary to construct
crossings, since the whole street will be
perfectly clean and dry, permitting Of
crossing the street at any point.
Paved streets have become the most
needed of all demands of a public ma
ture which face us as public officers of
this municipality. Let us ask the hearty
cooperation of all citizens, and, in turn,
lend them our generous support in
furthering this benefit, the value of
will not be appreciated after the
work has been accomplished.
From personal observation and from
authoritative advice 1 learn that the
flood of 'hoaters," usually so-ealled,
who are in reality the scum Of the cities
and composed for the most part of the
criminal classes, from the st. Louis
fair, is headed for Oregon. Already
evidences are unmistakable Of the app
proach of this crowd Of peace disturb
ing nonproducers. 1 recommend our
police force to be properly strength
ened, as may be required, that we bring
ipto use again our abandoned crock
pile" remedy for this class Of tourists.
Once Salem becomes advertised among
these loafers as a "rock-pilo' town, !
may be surer that these professional
sxcursionists will not ask for the stop. I
over privileges when they arrive in the /,
City in their side-door Pullman.
rhe Lewis and Clark fair, with its esti- {
mated attendance Of over a million Wis 1
tors, will bring many criminals. The
force Of Portland will drive many I
that place, compelling the ones
out to operate in the ~neighbOr- =
ng towns. No unnecessary alarm need
20 felt but it is well to be apprehen- 8
i've of the possibility 30 plainly APP .
b
In my former message to you / ear j
iestly urged the remaining Of the streets a