The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-22


taken exception TO this method of set
tiement and voiced their disapproval
of it in the resolutions drawn up by
the commercial club and published
last Wednes day. In these resolutions
the property owners agreed not to
fight against the proposed improve
nients if the mater could be settled in
this fashion: the street Car company
should pay for its share as stipulated
in its franchise with the city and the
latter should pay for the balance OF
the paving cost; that the property ow-
ners should pay for the cement side
walks, curbs and cutters, with the eX-
ception Of the intersections and the
city should pay for these In justifying
their stand they say through the com
mercial clubs resolutions that other
property owners, manufacturers on
the other side of the railroad. have
the use of North + street and yet will
not have to pay any share for improve
ment; that the factory property ow-
ners along that section of North f
street pay over 100000 taxes annu-
ally and that they benefit Richmond
to the extent of $1000,000 annually
paid out in wages; that inasmucn as
Of no y
of factory sites that must necessarily
require large tracts of land and cOnse-
quently have large frontage, the same
benefits will not accrue TO them as
would to residence and retail districts
by improved streets and that, there
fore, the proportion of the costs usu-
ally assessed 10 property owners
should not obtain against them as ow-
ners Of property devoted to manu-
featuring purposes.
We feel, however, the city took all
these things into consideration i'll APP
portioning the cost of the proposed i'm
entirely fair. We realize our city's in
debtedneSs TO these factories that di-
vide annually the large sum of 81 ,000,-
900 among a great number of our cit
Zens and yet we are not unmindful of
the Indebtedness these factories are
under to the city for the prote ction
of various kinds it affords them. The
bond of interest between these factor
les and the City of Richmond is mu-
tual, it is not one sided. The city is
the proposed improvement but is also
agreeing to pay one-third of the share
charged against the property owners.
The property owners, however, insist
that the city also bear The cost of the
a just arrangement for, despite their
claims, the property owners would be
benefited. The men who work for
them could get to their tasks in good
weather without Drawing a cyclonic
street as they now must do. In stormy
weather these same men would not
have to go to their work wading
through the puddles that half sub
merge the uneven sidewalks that line
I'M " 20
same token the wear and tear on
horse flesh and drays and trucks
would be much lessened by the
smooth running over brick paved
street. And last but by no means
least, the business man coming to
Richmond to visit one of these factor
| les located on North E street and pos
| sibIy to place an order will gather q
much better first impression of the
city in which the factory is located
! and of the factory itself if he proceeds
over a finely paved street, than if he
must dive through the dust, drive
through the mud hub deep, Or wade
through the sidewalks little ponds
and lakes to reach even the nearest
of the factories TO the station. We
feel that the city in not only paying
its just share of the improvement bu
! also paying one-third the share of the
property owners has made a PROPOSE
ton that any fair minded man can &C
cept and We commend the board o
public works in sticking by its gun.
| for this proposition and trust that i
council is called upon to decide the
matter on account of any remon
STRANGE. the necessary twO-thirds vot,
TO pass the Improvement resolution
will be forth coming.
IL Y0II 0NI V khCM