The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-07
EVERY MEANS SHOULD BE TAKEN
 TO REMOVE BURDEN OF UNFAIR TAXATION FROM THE HOME OWNERS

throughout the Union. Bridgeport has
 begun to grapple with the problem of
 tax equalization. An inspection of
 the grand lists for several years read
 fly shows that the tendency has been
 for the burden of taxation to fall up-
 on the small taxpayer-the home own
 CT. This is manifestly unjust. Steps
 have already been taken for a more
 equitable distribution of the financial
 burden. Thus far. however, we have but made a beginning. A committee on tax equalization has been appoint ed by the Mayor. I recommend that this committee in the performance of and lawful means to do away with the present evil.
 Department of Public Works. N
 Much progress has already been made in bettering the principal thor Main street from Golden Hill street to Gilbert street, begun this spring, has been virtually completed in record time with very little interruption of traffic and trifling inconvenience to merchants. The use of wood block pavement for this work has made Main street a model thoroughfare. With reasonable attention this work should be permanent in the true sense of the word. The permanent paving of Elm street is progressing rapidly. Many difficulties are being encounter ed in this work by reason of rocky for nations which gravely handicap ex- cavation. The completion of the loop of permanent pavement from Main street through Elm street to Broad street and thence through Broad street to Fairfield avenue, will greatly re- lieve congested traffic conditions at Fairfield avenue and Main street. The completion of this work will be followed immediately by the laying of new per- manent pavement in Stratford avenue, mostly of wood block, from the Strat7 ford, avenue bridge to Yellow Mill bridge. By arrangement with the city, the Connecticut Company will re- lay their tracks in State street andsin connection with this work will lay wooden block pavement between the rails from Main street to Fairfield avenue The re-surfacing and repair ing of the macadam road in Fairfield avenue from the Ash Creek bridge to the railroad viaduct is well under way and will be completed within a few weeks. Connecticut avenue is in need of attention and judicious expenditure of the funds now available should leave sufficient to place that important thor oughfare in first class shape The ordinance covering the proper replac- ing of street excavations is being strictly enforced. Frequent excava- tions of newly paved and macadam- ized streets. now made at will by pub greatly reduced in number if such cor porations were compelled by law to first obtain permission from the Pub lie Works Department by showing the necessity for such work. When these contemplated improvements in the streets have been completed, the gen eral condition of the streets will be such as to reflect credit upon the city A more rigid observance of the ordi- nance regulating the throwing of waste paper and sweepings in the streets has resulted in marked Improvement as to cleanliness. The Police Depart ment and the Public Works Depart ment have been instructed to cooper ate in the enforcement of this ordi- nance. Civic pride should urge every citizen to observe this ordinance-to to the letter.
 The rapid growth of our city, espe- cially in outlying districts, calls to mo- tice the urgent necessity of the estab- lishment of reasonable building lines on all streets. There has been a ten deney in the Common Council to grant ready permission for extension of buildings over established building lines. This establishes a bad prece- dent. Such permission should be granted only in the most extreme cases. Considerable complaint has D06I IIldO0 dDOuC the ODSCruct1On or the public streets in the transporta- tion of buildings. Ground for these complaints should be obviated by care full investigation and enforcement of rigid restrictions.
 Public service corporations using the streets in the center of the city for overhead wiring are gradually SUD- planting underground conduits for the present scheme of wiring. would recommend that the Police Department and the Fire Department take steps to the same end with regard to their wiring without unnecessary delay.
 The section north of North avenue between Dewey and Lindley streets, and the section north of the railroad in the East End have outgrown their sewer facilities. Steps should be taken without delay to remedy this condi- | ton. With these exceptions the sew age facilities throughout the city are satisfactory.
 The streets of that section of the | -. -----.--Sr---------@E -Ee.@F |