The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-06

still are sometimes issued for main tenance and operation charges. Such methods whether forced by law or oc-
 curing through lack of proper consid- eration are absolutely contrary to good
 business practice. In either case the
 future is being loaded with a debt
 rom which it receives no benefit If
 long time bonds must be issued, let there be some intelligent relation be- tween the time of the debt and the life of the improvement made with the proceeds. Certainly no one can justi- fly their issue on any other ground.
 Many times the cash in the city treasury is not handled to the best of
 advantage. Higher rates Of interest could be obtained by competitive bids
 and larger cash balances could be
 dra wing interest by proper segrega-
 tion of the regular checking account from the general cash.
 Another important item in city man.
 agement is the method of checking
 the identity of employees drawing pay
 in order to eliminate any dummy"
 and the duplex" The system under
 which they are paid is also very i'm
 Before leaving the matter of taxes,
 however, I wish briefly to call your
 attention to other phases of that par
 tfcular matter which are just as inn
 portant in considering city growth as
 the lowering of the tax in the aggre-
 gate In the first place the compara-
 tive tax paid must be equitable both
 as between individual tax payers in
 the same city and as between that
 city and others existing under similar
 conditions. When a. prospective set
 tier becomes satisfied that the taxes
 in a community are low enough in
 the aggregate, service considered, he
 next is interested in knowing whether
 or not discrimination is practised.
 Much more trouble over tax pay
 menfs grows out of unequal assess
 ments than out of the total amount
 charged Unequal distribution of
 taxes should be remedied at once. It
 not only reacts directly upon the pros
 pective new conner, but develops
 spirit of social and political unrest in 8. community which has a very ser ious indirect repelling influence. Not only must local taxes be fairly dis
 tributed but the rates between your city and the others must likewise be taken into consideration. If your rate is higher you must show. legitimate cause elsa, this fact will surely operate against you
 and taxes collected are also points worthy of consideration although prob ably more important a. rural, than an urban population.
 Next to taxes fire insurance rates play an important part in city
 
 saving fer large industrial concerns which are one of the most potent fac tors to be considered in the develop ment of city. It also means bet ter rents for property owners in gen eral. There is always a. direct rela- tion between the efficiency of fire pro- tection. the proper enforcement of an adequate building code, and the cur rent insurance rate.
 Thus far we have considered mainly the possibility of saving money, yet in our desire to accomplish this end we must not lose sight of the fact that economy alone will not save the day-the mere saving of dollars, while desirable, is not the whole story-the city must also be neat, sanitary, healthful, we'll lighted, we'll planned, and well maintained.
 The approach is very important. The condition Of the depot itself, the imme- l diate presence of parks, however small, the nature of the architecture, the condition of the streets and side walks, the position, appearance and attitude of cab drivers all make a vivid impression upon the new conner, ] and they are all things which the city sion created by marrow, dirty, and poorly maintained highways, dilapi- dated buildings and sidewalks covered | with fruit vendors and dirty, ragged | children is not easy to erase from the | mind of the city's newly arrived vis- l itor. And worst of all it is condf- l tion for which the city alone is re- sponsible
 RoadWayS and pavements should be | kept clean and well repaired. Streets | should be wide and parked or boule- l varded where possible. It is true the | visitor may be looking primarily for a manufacturing site, yet he certain iu in nn1>c 1An and is more easily convinced that your | city is the one, f he Is met with | agreeable surroundings No one can | step from the elegance of our modern | trains into dirty and unkempt sur- roundings, be jolted over unrepairedI streets, with dust filling their nos- trils, and still feel in any mood to ful- ly appreciate the business proposition | you have to offer. Remember, the l other city may have just as good a site, and all the blsi- l ness surroundings may be as good. but the disagreeable impression left | by conditions not directly connected | with the business itself may lose the | day. All this the city can control or | at least improve. See to 1t, therefore, that the approach to your city and the avenues of travel are properly de- and maintained.
 Another factor of vital importance l In efrecting city growth and one over which the government can exercise | influence is the general | condition of labor in the community. | To be the most efficient labor must | be healthy. contented and we'll skill. ed
 Inconsiderate treatment of labor in any community eventually becomes a striking directly back at those whose greed, conceit, and pow er are instrumental in blocking prop ar legislation. Not only is the moral obligation to be considered, but there Is apt to be the actual wasting of asset.
 Trade schools are an important fac tor in making more efficient labor. A skilled workman is always in demand. Besides he can produce twice as much wealth as his unskilled brother and add that much more to he general wealth of the community. l. Proper city planning in districts con- aiming workingmen's homes is essen .ial. It is at these points that your parks, play grounds, and breathing spots are really needed. Special at-'j Jempts should be made by library boards to interest the laboring people.
 The proper development of sur 'ounding or agricultural territory is another matter in which the city can we'll afford to put some monel. Good -oads are essentials if products are to oe brought to the city for marketing purposes
 Rest rooms should be established. Public or municipal markets should