The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-04

l this is true equalization. Block maps are being rapidly fur. nished to this Board at the rate o1
 almost two a day by the City Engin- eer and at a less, cost than hereto fore When complete block maps o1 I the whole city have been prepared then this Board will be in a position l to adopt the Lot and Block system which will entirely eliminate the per- sonaI element in taxing property. | Matters in General. l The family of the late Hon. Nathan iel Wheeler have presented to the City, as a memorial to him. hand some drinking fountain to be locat- ed at the corner of Fairfield and Park avenues. It is such pubiic-spirited acts as this which tend to the "City Beautiful On behalf of the City I take this opportunity to thank the members of MT. Wheeler's family for this most acceptable and munincent believe our City Is cleaner morally than 1t has been in many years. and every means shall be used to keep it SO. ss No blot should exist to detract from the natural and peculiar advan- tagea of our City.
 There is great need of Building Code, as the few laws now regulating building operations are entirely inad- eQuate Those contemplating build ing should be In position to know what kind of construction can and cannot be used. If the construction of buildings is properly regulated much lower fire insurance rates can be obtained. A low tax rate and a low fire insurance rate are two all im- portant and attractive features in in- ducfng other enterprises to locate in our City. There Is proposed build ing. code now in the hands of the Or dinance Committee, and if 1t is not a proper one, it should be revised and reported on at the earliest possible
 | believe this City can and should be properly maintained on 8 uniform fifteen mill tax rate. Uniformity in this particular would prove of great advantage to our taxpayers in nxing this charge at a definite amount for each and every year, and in assuring outsiders of the stability of our City finances.
 T. am endeavoring to have the State Highway Commissioner take over, as a State Highway. the Trunlbull Road which bounds Beardsley Park on the east, which has already been staked. and to widen and make it a boule- ward.
 would recommend an extension of our Second Taxing District. 1t is in need of many things for which 1t can not be legally taxed now. and by ex- could be made and properly charged against this district. I believe the change should be made once for all time. and that the extension should include the whole city.
 I also would recommend that nc the same has been rough graded to a grade proftled by the City Engineer and established by the common coun- cil.
 would recommend the construction of a new bridge across the Pequon- mock River, at East Washington ave nue. The present bridge is unsafe and inadequate and should be replac- ed. The Connecticut Company should, however, pay fair proportion of the cost.
 In order to relieve the. ever-ohcreas- ing traffic on and at the corner of Fairfield avenue and Main street, bridge across the harbor at State street, to Stratford avenue.- Both of these bridges should be provided for by a Bond issue.
 I am not in favor of self perpetuat- ing boards. This is un-Anerican and contrary to the spirit of our form of government of free expansion as to our public servants.
 I believe that the members of the Board of Education should be appoint ed by the Mayor and not be the pro- duct of political manipulation at par- ty caucuses and conventions.
 would further recommend the pas sage of an ordinance providing for the election of the successor to va cancy in the common council by the voters of the district in which such vacancy exists.
 I am a firm believer in the .sMerit System" as to our City employees This should be very thoughtfully and care fully worked out and would prove of great advantage in ensuring efficiency in our various departments. would recommend the passage of resolution by your Board submitting the proposi- ton to the people at our next election, as by law provided.
 I wish to thank the various commis- sioners and departments for their valuable and untiring services. Also the cooperation and assistance of our citizens at large.
 As I have said on other occasions, our sole aim Is not partisan but to put our city on an up-to-date. eff1- cient and economical basis. It was. for this purpose that each and every one of us was elected to office, and it should be our sole intent to carry this out irrespective of political afdlia7 tions.
 Respectfully submitted this. srd day
 CLIFFORD B. WILSON.
 a- Mayor. HER ROYAL. RICHNESS