The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-01-22
TAlKPAYER'
THINKS we NEED
SOl!E MONEY
TELLS HOW WE
MIGHT GET IT
Editor West vlrginian:

/ am glad to see that your paper is
interested in the question Of pub
lie wharf, and that it is outspoken in
its demands for wharf sufficient
for the needs of the city. The people
also no doubt appreciate the fact that
you have thrown open your columns
for free expression of opinion up
on this subject. have read with
much interest the article by Citizen"
and the reply to same by the secre,
tary of the oBard of Trade. They
are both tending in the right direc.
tiOn.
But there is one vital question in
connection with the proposition to
secure proper site fer a wharf, sufi-
cient for the probable traffic upon, the
river, which both Of said articles
overlook, and which have not heard
discussed, or even mentioned by the
council. That is the question Of
funds with which to purchase site.
The city does not have the money,
and it cannot borrow. 1t is now in
debt to the limit of the law. The city
must buy ground, If it gets any; and
where will 1t get the money?
The city has streets and alleys
which are valuable, and which the
railroad company proposes to take
and appropriate to its own use, with
out in any manner paying for the
same, or making any return therefor
to the city. The railroad company is,
and has been for several months,
busy securing prices upon property
in the First ward, which belongs to
private citizens. 1t has also asked
for a price upon that part of the
pump station property which 1t ex-
poets to use for its right Of way. But
SO far as any one has heard the COM
pany has not intimated that any price
should be paid by it for taking the
property of the city, which is now
laid out as streets. Well, why not?
Why should the city not receive as
much for It's streets as It should re-
ceive for its pump station property?
There is no difference in the clty's
title to these two properties, If the
city did not have these streets, the
ground out Of which they are made,
would now belong to some private
individual, and therefore, the railroad
company would have to pay for them
Whatever they are worth. Then by
what process of reasoning Is the con-
cluslon reached, that the city shall
give away to corporation, the clty's
property as streets without compen-
sation. II the council should donate
the pump station property to the rail.
road company, the people would no
doubt "set up and take notice." but
why does not the same principle ap.
ply to the clty's streets?
The railroad company proposes to
cross and appropriate without com:
pensation, every street and alley run
ming to the river in the limits Of tic
First ward. just as It has done on
the other side Of the river. 1t cross
es i've streets besides alleys, and
takes all of Mill street. The amount
OF ground which It takes, belonging
to the city compared with prices paid
to private persons for ground In the
same locality, would amount to con.
siderably more than fifty thousand
dolIarsl Has the council any legal or
moral right to give away this much
Of the peoples money?
Mr.. Editor, I suggest that the coun,
oil place a Reasonable price upon
such streets and alleys, as the com
pany proposes to take, compared with
prices Of private persons in the same
locality, and require the railroad
company to pay the same to the city
before granting and franchise. With
this money, the city can buy and
pay for wharf ample for all time,
and no extra burdens Of taxation
will be placed upon the now over.
laden shoulders Of the taxpayers. I
submit that this Is fair both to the
city, the people who pay the taxes,
and to the railroad company. Thlsds
not a new idea, l understand that
the Wabash, q competing railway
systen, was compelled To- pay TO the
city of Pittsburg several milllon dols
lars tor the streets 4 appropriated u
before IL was permitted % enter I'M
this Instance there Is no beneh, To-
come to the city generally, N reduced
rates, or otherwise; Il only means I'D.
dlhonal switch room Tor the com.
pany's own convenience and profit
TAXPAYER.