Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-02
THAT BOND ISSUE
Citizens Who Think Improvements Are
 Too Extensive.

SdhAuS uO uUtlce OI the DOHu issue commission is deceiving himself. Be- cause man attends baseball game, takes spin on wheel or in an auto. is found occupying a front seat at the theater or shouts himself hoarse at track meet. is no reason why one should think that he is un- mindful of the financial situation and doesn't bother even reading about 1t. This Is very serious mis- take. A certain number of the best men In all communities give atten- tion to sport. but all of them, the man who likes sport and the gentle man who doesn't care for that sort of thing, are concerned in the ques- tion of taxation. hence the general interest taken in the proposition to bond the city for large or small amount, to be used for public inn prOvements. A Democrat reporter has been interviewing people in all walks of life on this matter and finds that very few look at it from the same standpoint.
 I'm not in favor of big bond AooAOS ACRtlVu w. xA. D. vtdhNp W lCl approached on the question, but I shouldn't object to the raising of reasonable sum in that way to meet such things as cannot be got at by the ordinary sources of revenue. But l don't think 1t necessary to issue bonds to do some of the things that need attention and which appear to be totally neglected. I'm ashamed of the condition of our town roads. The larger portion of the highway to Thomaston is in good shape. but the rest of 1t is disgrace The same way at different points between here and Naugatuck. If you want to get down there with team you had better take what Is commonly termed the high road. Just think of 1t, Naugatuck with population of about 12,000 souls, only five miles distant from Waterbury and the high- way in such condition that 1t isn't necessary to bond the city to fix these streets. The gravel in the lots at either side. if properly applied would give us just such country roads as we need and spend all you can af- ford in improving the city streets"
 Il opposed the taking up of the macadam on Scovill street and put ting bricks instead, not on account of what 1t was going to cost us, but because felt that the money could be spent to better advantage some place else. Scovill street was well enough, but other places were in deplorable condition and I objected in the hope of getting the worst spots looked after. I said get all the main thoroughfares in proper shape for public travel and then take up the side streets. I believe in paving the city streets and would not object to a bond issue of s50,000 to be used for that purpose, with the under standing that a modest sum should be assessed against abutting proper ty owners. am also very much in favor of widening streets that are too narrow and straightening as many. as possible of the crooked ones, ,aTkis Would be we'll spent moRey- and then see that we have no more mar row or crooked streets"
 Are you in favor of the Library park project, so-called, Mir Wake?" inquired the reporter.
 Mir Wake. "I want to see nice ap- breaches to the union station, but that part is too expensive for all the benefit we would ever derive from it. I'm in favor of parks where there are people to use them or in places where our citizens would be likely to go. but hcsv many do you suppose would want to spent an hour in a park be- side a railroad station? If our old streets leading to the union station are not wide enough I want to see them laid out to sufficient width and if 1t is necessary to open new streets in that neighborhood let us have them, but there is limit to where we can afford to go in the matter of spending money. I should say that $250. .000 is the highest sum the city should think of putting out on the railroad, and this includes widening streets, opening such new streets as may be required and span ming the Naugatick river. This with $50,O00 for paving would make a bond issue of $500, ,000, and should n't favor going beyond that"
 Patrick Holohan: T don't care to discuss this question. becauSe a man falls in line with what men who want everything advocates you are apt to be stopped up and called back number. But even at the risk of all this l wish to say that I'm very much afraid that some of our very good neighbors are getting crazy on this city beautiful question. With good economy every public need that confronts Waterbury could be met by the ordinary sources of raising revenue. but so long as private enter prise Is mistaken for public necessity and convenience there Is no telling where we'll land. Why the city gov ernment is constantly engaged In the business of developing property for private individuals. Look at hat wa ter question. Mains laid through vast territories where there Isn't house at all. but put there in anticipation of future needs. That high water Ser vice was a good thing. but it never should have been installed under our present system of taxation. and even then it is a question in my mind 1T 1t would be good business economy to shoulder such an expense until tn. district in which it has been laid was built up. Besides this. look at the street building into undevelopei parts of the town where no sane man would pretend to say that public ne cessity and convenience demanded public ways. l suppose the city gets