Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-04
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
Board of Public Works Discussed
 Mammoth Improvements.

Hc UOuiu Ol puDllC WOIhS uclu A meeting behind closed doors yesterday afternoon and discussed plans for inn provements on Grand street, which in clude the purchase by the city of all the property lying west of Library park and fronting on Grand, Cedar, Livery and Meadow streets, the same to be added to the Library park. This takes in such land as the railroad has &C., quired and does not need. Several pieces belong to J. $. Elton and Elton X Wayland, the property of k. T. Root. F. o. Peabody, F. B. Merriman. George r. Robarts, the HOtchkiss Paper Co and two or three other pieces. The project was favorably reported to the aldermen and the engineer will be on hand Monday night to explain the mat ter in detail.
 The idea originated with with City Engineer Cairns and has the hearty approval of the mayor and the depart ment of public works. The aim is to extend the park clear down to the en- trance to the proposed new union sta tion so that when people come in on the cars they will see a delightful park studded with handsome shade trees in- stead of almost any kind of structures that might otherwise be erected there in the course of time. The expense would amount to something in the neighbOrhOOd of $25O, 600, but it is claimed that it would be worth that and great deal more to Waterbury. and that if it is not taken hold of now the chances are the opportunity will be lost forever. In case the aldermen approve the plan, the intention is to bond the city for the money, and one Of the admirers of the proposition says at no time will the cost to man who pays taxes On q home listed at $4.WO exceed JO cents year. The grade of the street will be elevated about twelve feet at the junction of Grand and South Willow streets and South Willow street will be made considera- lily wider. so that whenever the work is completed you would roll along a level surface to and from the station instead of emerging from the deep hcle that has been such a prolific source of profanity to everybody for years. Of course there is a tremen- dous opposition to the project on the part of many very prominent citizens. but whether it will develop sufficient strength to make itself felt is extreme ly doubtful. for it has already receivS a backing which it is practically im- possible to offset, and as most things or the kind are conceived and pushed almost to completion before the public knows much about them 1t is not un- reasonable to conclude that this will be one of them. While the cost is great, it cannot be denied that the project has a lot of merit. and municipalities, like individuals. cannot expect to enjoy much of the good things of the world without paying something for them. One of the objections raised is the sud. denness with which it has been thrust upon the people and the underhandel way taken to popularize' it before 1t was put forward, but if that be all that can be said against it. it will not amount to much. In an off-hand way one would say that it looks like a good thing. and if this be so and the people want it, there is nothing to stand in their way: but the thing Is of too much magnitude to be disposed of lightly and when it gets into the aldermanie chamber it should not be disposed of one way or the other until the public has had ample time to give it the con sideration it is entitled to. There is a limit to what more than three-fOurths of the rate-payers of Waterbury can afford to have in the way of public im- provements and other things. and as the men who are now at the helm don't belong to the great army of citi- gems whose income is limited 10 a days wages it is hoped that they will not judge other peoples ability tc pay big rate bills by their own. The taste of the rich and the poor in communi ty like this is very much alike. but there is a vast difference in their means. and on this account the man Os limited means is too often accused of a lack of public spiritedness when he opposes additional burdens. while as a matter of fact under more favorable conditions he probably would be fore most in advocating such things. The man who won't have to pay anything and the man who can afford to pay has a wonderful advantage over his neigh Dor. who would gladly settle but finds himself handicapped for lack of funds d..