Evening journal., 1914-12-04
CITY Takes PART IN
spite FENCE" ROW
Solicitor Hastings VIII See
If Injured Property Owners
Have Any Rights
PEACE COMMITTEE
MISSION FAILS

Robert Cross, OF No. % East Twenty
third street, erector of 4 spite fence
between his property and that OF
Thomas r. Collins, his brother-in-law,
at No. 25 East Twenty street, hav-
ing refused TO remove the fence, al
though President of Council William z.
White and Councilman Grantland, act
ing as peace committee had failed IN
their purpose, City Council will now en-
deavor TO have the fence removed by
legal means.
AT last nights session of Council, Mr..
Grantland set forth that all efforts 70
have the fence removed had failed ana
he presented resolution from fifteen
or more residents of the street among
whom was the builder of the houses oc-
cupied by Cross and Collins, setting
forth that the fence deprecated the
value of their properties. They asked
/ Council TO reimburse them by lowering
their taxes. After hearing the report
of Councilman Grantland of the peace
committee Council dismissed the com
mittee. In presenting this motion Coun-
Gilman Slower said that while he did
not expect to see the committee wear
ing iron crosses he had looked for peace
crosses and as they had failed in their
mission he suggested that they be dis
charged and censored. This Council did
in n joking manner.
The communication from the neigh
bors of the Cross family was ordered
fled and the matter referred TO City
, Solicitor Hastings with request that
! he furnish Council with a copy Of all
laws bearing on the question involved,
If the opinion Of City Solicitor Hast
ngs warrants, the city will, in all prob
ability. take some legal action in the
. matter. The communication received
from residents of East Twenty third
, street in the vicinity of the spite fence
follows;
President and members OF City
Council-Gentlemen AS proper
tv owners on Twenty-third street,
between Market and Lammot
. streets. we wish to protest to
Council in regard to a spite fence,
erected by Robert Cross. at No.
% East Twenty-third street. This
, fence is n menace to the neighbor-
hood. and it also causes a depre-
Z citation of the value OF our proper
ty We understand that Council
has asked the owner to remove
same; also that the chief of po-
lice has ordered II down, but
neither request has been complied
Z with. AS our taxes are now high
er than we believe just, we ask
that the fence be taken down or
that Council adjust our taxes,
taking into consideration this
= fence.
z As citizens and taxpayers, We
z ask that Council pass an ordi-
y nance, if in their power, to pro-
z hibit a fence, or obstruction OF
= any kind. being erected that Will
q depreciate the value OF surround
z ing property, in any party of the
z city, without the consent of a ma
z jority Of the surrounding proper
q ~ owners. We believe il is the
z aim of Council TO increase the
Z value of city property, instead of
z allowing a depreciation of same. and
4 ask Council, as a body, to give this
z attention at once.
q The petition is signed by the fol
z lowing: Mr.. and Mrs. William Il
2 Crawford. 10 East Twenty-thir
z street; Mr.. and Mrs. r. ID. Grub,
= East Twenty-third street; Mr.. an
= Mrs. r. l.. Phillips. Is East Twenty
= third street; Mr.. and Mrs. o. w. VIII
z lis, II East Twenty-third street; Nj
= and Mrs. G. f. Jordan, 3, IL, IL, 3
2 East Twenty-third street; Mr.. an
= Mrs. r. ]. Brinton, q East Twenty
z third street; Mr.. and Mrs. T. r. Col
z Inns, % East Twenty-third street;
z f. Watterson, 20 East Twenty-thir
= street; Mr.. and Mrs. Elizabeth Frecl
z q East Twenty-third street; Mr.. an
q Mrs. Earl Evans, SO East Twenty
= third street; George Thielman, 3
= East Twenty-third street; Mr.. an
= Mrs. II. J. Stoner, East Twenty
Y third street; Mr.. and Mrs. Jane
2 Short. 10 East Twenty-third street
= George Doyle, East Twenty-thir
= street; John p Reardon.