The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-10-02
THE AMENDMENT TO CHARTER


!
Mayor Tate Tells of the Matter as
He Views It-Same AS Other
Cities Have-A Satisfactory Solu-
ton of Problem.
In order to set aside the wild
rumors that have been af1oat over
the city during the past few days
regarding the proposed amendment
to the city charter. desire to say
that after careful investigation and
mature deliberation, the City Coun-
Gil has unanimously approved the
amendments to the charter.
These amendments cover just
three things: First, the more clear
and definite provisions necessary in
opening or widening streets. so as
to give the property owner a talr
showing in such matters and at the
same time permit the city to pro-
coed without undue delay or neces-
sary litigation.
The second provision covers the
permanent improvement of streets,
and is exactly in accordance with
the laws now in force in the rrinci-
pal cities of our state, notably Ashe-
Vile, Charlotte, Greensboro and
Winston Salem. The people in those
cities are unanimous in their ap-
prevail of the plan adopted, as it has
enabled them to procure absolutely
first class permanently paved streets
at very small cost and with a
long time in which to pay for same.
High Point can not hope to con-
tinue building streets out of the
general fund or by bond issues The
territory is too large and the neces-
sity for immediate work of this
kind too pressing to hope to carry
on these improvements in this way.
The bond issues, already used for
this purpose. have been applied on
the principal streets, or highways,
leading through the city, but when
these streets, as we'll as others, need
repairing or permanent pavement
is to be placed the expense should
be borne by the property owners and
the street car lines, together with a
reasonable proportion by the city.
The City's expense in this respect
will cover all curling, sidewalk grad
ing, laying of underground drains
or storm sewers, the paving of ali
cross streets or intersections and
similar items.
1t is a pleasure to learn that
where our citizens are acquainted
with this method, as being pursued
in the other cities named, they are
unanimous in their approval of the
plan, and are impatient for the OPP
portunity to lend their aid in further
improving the streets of High Point
The third provision in the pro
posed amendment to the charter
covers the collection of taxes. This
method is also in vogue in the other
progressive cities of our state, and
permits the tax payer, who pays his
taxes promptly, to secure rebate
or a cash discount on account of his
promptness, and is furthermore en-.
ables the city to place a penal y on
the delinquents, or those pc :sons
who in many cases wilfully neglect
or postpone the payment of theil
taxes, placing an unreasonable bur
cen upon the city, forcing us to Der
row money at 6 per cent interes
from time to time, with which t.
meet the city's obligations. Thi:
new plan enables the city to trea
every tax payer exactly alike ant
forces the large tax payers, VIII,
wilfully withhold the payment O
their taxes until the very last min
: ute, to come up and pay promptly
or suffer the penalty as provided.
With the amendments as contem
plated, our city will then be in posi-
ton to proceed along safer and NOR
equitable lines in its further develop
lnent and improvements.
Respectfully,
FRED N TATE, Mayor.
Deafness Cannot Be Cured