Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-05-26
DISCUSSED THE FIRE TAX.
Sma Crowd at the Court House
Taxed About Tax.
MONEY is NEEDED FOR MAINS
Proposition Ably Set Forth b. Those
Who Know the Necessity For
Better Water Service.


Better Water Service.
The mass meeting called by the
board OF trade for Thursday evening
to discuss the proposed special fire tax
was attended bv a rather small crowd.
although tho g who we're present
heard the proposition ably set forth
by councilman Emmert. chairman of
the finance committee of the council,
and Mr.. Max Robinson, president of
the city fire commission. Mr.. Lee M.
Bender presided over the meeting. and
@. W. Boyer was secretary.
Mr.. Emmert, whose committee is in
charge of the ways and means for i'm
provements, and who is thoroughly
familiar with the and needs
of the city, made it very plain that
the special fire tax is not only a reason
able one, but a very pressing neces-
sity. He stated that in 1904 the ap-
preparation for water purposes was
So, 900, which was sufficient to con
duct the affairs of that department.
In 1905 che fiscal year about to close)
the expenses &c that department had
increased about $1,000. the Whole in
crease being due to the repairs to tie
water mains, made necessary by the
breaks in the old cement pipes. There
was everv indication that these re-
pairs would be endless ard expensive.
and it was a matter of absolute econ
omy to the taxpayers TO replace the
old and expensive pipes with iron
mains. This would stop the expendi-
ture at once, and the city would save
at least 81. 600 per year ON this item
alone. and secure better fire protec-
ton through an improved water sys-
TEN.
Mr.. Robinson explained that it
would require about 81, 700 for the
maintenance of the fire department
during the coming year. and the bal
ance of the money to be secured
through the propose AK would be de-
voted exclusively to replacing the cid
water mains with new ones. Like
Mr.. Emmert he believed the situation
called for heroic measures, and
thought the taxpayers would only be
borrowing this moneX from them
selves, to get it back threefold. He
explained that the water mains at
present nave many weak places, par
A;n11ar1r ON Tohn aud IJioh etraat
and chat the system as a whole could
not be brought up to the standard
until the weak links were made
strong. Like a chain. the water
mains were only as strong as the
weakest link. and a break in a weak
part would put the whole system out
of commission, with the e~ver-present
danger of a break during a fire, when
certain portions of the city would be
completely at the mercy of the flames.
Mr.. James b. Fisher made a brief
address, in which he stated that he
was most heartily in favor of the
levy. He believed it was a good
move toward better conditions !iere,
and would favor it if it was double
the proposed amount. He believed in
progress, and the proposed improve
ment as one that is necessary in the
line of progress. He thought every
taxpayer should support the PROPOSE
tion as a matter of economy in the ex-
p%enditures of the ely. The city has
fine. new fire department and should
support it. and a good water system
is the most necessary part of it.
The situation has apparently re-
solved itself into this-that the voters
must authorize the levy, or the coun-
ell will be compelled to issue bonds
to secure money for the proposed inn
provemepts. The revenues of the city
are not sufficient to maintain the de-
partment in its present shape and
carry on the street improvements nj
ready projected. 1t requires more
money. and this can only be secured
through direct taxation or a bono
issue, which is indirect and more ex-
pensive taxation.