Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-01-03

dition. Unsightly poles and net
works of wire occupy every portion
of the city, and why, Simply through
sufferance on our part. Isn't it about
time that active steps be taken TO
force all overhead wires to be placed
into underground conduits? If the
city waits for the different corpora
tions to take the initiative, the real
ization of our hopes will be indefin-
itely postponed. 1t is true that cor
porations have their rights, and it is
only fair that they should be respect
ed, but will anyone undertake to say
that the city's rights are not para
mount? Corporations are with us,
not because they love Salem, but be-
cause it is profitable field for in
vestment; that being true, they are
subject to regulation, and they GER
tainly need it. 1t might be said that
the city is too small and the expense
for making the change too great, but
if we wait until our population in
creases to $4,000, the expense will he
proportionately greater. The time
to make the change is right now and
an ordinance directed to this end
will not alone be popular with our
citizens, but will beautify the city
and render greater security to prop
erty rights.
Trolley Poles.
Corporations havo no moral right
to erect unsightly trolley poles in
our main business streets. Property
holders have been taxed for high
grade pavements in front of their resi-
licences only to be subjected to the
unsightly trolley poles on streets COW
cred by the electric car lines. It
would be presumptious on our part
to expect the corporations holding
these valuable franchises, which, by
the way, were donated by the public
without cost, to expect them to in
stall ornamental iron posts for this
purpose and that being true, an ordi-
nance directed along these lines
would be vastly beneficial and popu-
lar.
Licenses.
In order to reduce the municipal
debt inherited by the present admin
istration means must be devised for
the purpose of raising revenue
through the enactment of general
occupation tax This would be in the
nature of a war tax" intended for
the purpose Of wiping out the exist
ing deficit of the city and again plac-
ing our financial affairs on a strictly
cash basis where they belong. l be-
lieve the citizens at large will ap-
prove such a course and when its
purpose has been accomplished, the
ordinance can be repealed at least tc
the extent Of lessening its scope.
Fire Protection.
With but few exceptions, the
protection afforded to patrons of oul
theaters and other places of amuse.
ment is a criminal farce and sooner
or later the citizens of our city viii
be brought face to face with a ca.
lamity exceeded only by the frightfu
disaster which overlook the Iroquoi'
theater. Our first duty Is to throw
every possible safeguard around oul
citizens and solely on this ground dC
1 recommend an ordinance which
will thoroughly cover this subject
The fire and water committee hal
rendered splendid service by install
ing fire hydrants throughout an in
creased area, which policy shoult
and will be continued.
Saloons.
The stringent regulation of sa
looms has made Salem city of sucl
superiority over others in this respec
that an object lesson has been taugh
which other municipalities are nov
following. No relaxation to main