Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-26
STREETS REFORM
PLAN TAKEN Up
BY COUNCIL
Reorganization of Construction
Department Considered at
Meeting Today.

Leaders of council met today and
agreed upon a program of reorganiza-
ton of the chief OF construction depart
ment which they will submit to council
this afternoon. Aldermen John s. Cam
der James R. Nutting, Councilman AL
dine Chambers and Claude c. Mason
were among the aggressOrs in the
movement and after conference In
the city attorneys Office they were con-
f1dent that the plan would be adopted
by council
The program is to broaden the quail
tications for the office so that g. bust
ness man as well as an engineer will be
eligible and to prescribe that he shall
work under the direction of council.
The chief of construction is still to be
elected by the people, but the number of
assistants he is to have will not be de-
telmtned until next years, budget Is
made up. Other details of reorganize-
ton will be left to whomever is named
chief Of construction in the fall cleo
ton and the city council
To Broaden Qualifications,
The present qualifications are that a
man to hold the Office must be an engi-
neer or ten years experience, He is
elected by the people and IS practically
independent of council. The charter
specifies that ne shall have four assis-
tants. This gives the chief of construc-
ton an opportunity to make up a ticket
before running before the people, and
1t is charged is too strong an influence
in favor of political appointments
While other plans have been suggest
ed it is believed that tho one agreed
upon today will be adopted
Councilman Aldine Chambers said to-
Gay that with the changes made by the
charter amendment bill and the i'm
provements he was confident the coun-
Gil would make in the chief Of construc-
ton department, Atlanta's street i'm
provement system would be thoroughly
reorganized for greater efficiency.
Not only are these reforms assured
but as a result of The Georgian's cam
paign for better streets, better streets
has become a platform plank of the
numerous candidates for mayor and
council This plank is sure to stand at
the head of thu program of next years
administration.
The council, through the recent char
ter amendment has authority to make
any changes except that the head Of
the department still must be elected by
the people
The other charter amendments af-
fecting street Improvements, already in
effect. are:
That council and not the property
owners shall have the authority to de-
termine the character Of paving for
street, and that council shall have the
authority to condemn any street or
sidewalk or new paving at any time It
sees fit.
The fact that the property owners
pay two thirds of the cost OF the paw
ing and the character of pavement to
be used is left to the property owners
has been one of the principal causes
TO delay, It is said.
Wilmer Moore Gives Suggestions.
That the council sail rcqulr, OPP
ertv owners to make all pipe connec-
lions before a street is paved. If the
property owners neglect TO make the
connections the city will make them
and assess the property owners for the
cost This will prevent the past system
Of cutting up paved streets.
That guttering shall be put down
along with curbing to prevent the curb
ing from washing away. This cost has
always been assessed against the prop
erty owners but the guttering was not
put down until the street was paved.
There is ten miles of curbing laid in
the city now which has no guttering
to protect it in times OF rains.
Wilmer Moore, president of the
Chamber of Commerce. gave these sug-
-oe+iops for reforms today.