Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-09-09
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
Some Pretty Pointed Remarks.

The Council met Wednesday even
ing IN regular session. Mayor Harris
presiding. All members present ex-
cept kaler.
Protests were submitted in refer
ence to the East Bay avenue improve
ment and also against the contirma-
ton OF the assessment roll in local
improvement district No. IS, be-
cause the charges were too high above
the estimate and contract price 81
800. while the assessment was for
81, 939. The protest was pretty gen
orally signed by the interested prop
erty owners. Remarks were mad
by Messrs. hoffman, Millett an
others. Mr.. hoffman said he could
not understand why this expense.
including a charge of $500 for engi-
neer $ services was legitimate or
Justlhable, because the district was
Small and the ground level. He did
not think the owners were served
right. Mr.. Millett said he signed
the protest; further stating that
none OF the property was described
properly in the First Addition to
Capital Place in the original resolu-
ton and ordinance. because all refer
ence to blocks in this addition had
been omitted. While this error
would render the assessment void as
to this property. he would make no
serious objection if he and neighbors
are treated fairly; that on Seven
teenth street he and wife had been
charged upon the basis of Sc feet
frontage while in fact there were
only 80 feet
The lively tilt came when the East
Bay avenue second proposition came
up for consideration Mr.. Eaton
said the increase in the estimate, so
per cent. over the first one submitted,
was unfair and he did not want the
improvement to be made on the I'M
couth grade submitted by their engi.
neer. which brought Mr.. Van Epps
to the fore, who said he had endeav-
Ored to subserve the best interests
OF all the property owners concerned
Mr.. HOlOpeter. at the request of
Councilman Wertheim, came for
ward and said he could not stand the
expense incurred on account of the
proposed improvement. 1t was at
tempted to be made for the benefit
OF the city which should contribute
to the expense and also AUTOMOBILE
lists; that considerable property had
been "swiped" from owners through
tax sales, on account of high taxa
ton and unjust assessments, and
now another attempt was made
through the same process to steal the
property OF resident owners.
Mayor Harris stated that as near
ly all the resident property owners
had protested, and as the park would
not be used much during the approach
ing rainy season. he saw no harm in
postponing the matter for considera-
ton of the next city administration.
The trunk sewer project was
shelved for the time being, but is
liable to bob up at any time. Many
owners in the southern part of the
city cannot understand after they
have paid one special sewer tax why
they should be asked to help for an
other; that such project is for the
general benefit of the community,
and the city at large ought to bear
the expense. IT the city is too poor
to bear the burden, the project
should be deferred. These special
assessments for the same purpose
when one is piled on top of another
are becoming obnoxious. The har-
vest is apt to be attended with I'M
pleasant consequences. 1t often hap
pens would-be contractors become
very solicitous about the public well
fare whenever they can serve their
special interests and make property
owners contribute to augment their
profits.