The Ketchikan miner., 1915-01-21


 as buildings, the most of which have been placed there since the street was dedicated and after notice had been served by the city. Second, if the city does the work, while it is truc not many can be employed profitably those most needy can be given em- ployment Third. any man who is capatlc of working with his hands is skilled enough to perform any work on this road under the supervision of the city's capable street commissioner There are no loborers in this town who cannot hit drill, or turn one or set up piles so far as l know. As a matter of fact there is very little rock work to be done. provided good judgement is used in constructing the roadway, as much of the rock work can be avoided by either raising the grade slightly or varying the course over the dedicated strip. Fourth. this proposition is so ridiculous that I can hardly believe the Miner Man would father it. It is no more log ical than to ask the city, as a corpor- ation, to construct streets outside the city limits, out ot the city funds. All of the residents of Charcoal pre- cinct. in an indirect way, help to build the streets of the town of Ket chikan. The writer, while non resident, has contributed with his partner nearly Four Thousand Dol lars to the city revenue in the past three years. The members of the City Council have expressed them selves as being unwilling to pass a debt of thes magnitude along to their successors in office. which is com mendable on the face of it. I have no criticism to make on our present City Council. as I believe them to be honest, capable men. who are trying
 s their utmost to do the best they can, with the revenue at their disposal but councllmen come and go and it IS idle to conjecture who will repre- sent the tax payers another year in the Council. On the other hand. if is reasonably sure who will contrib ute the revenue for the coming year, and they are the same people who paid last years expenses. Now I do not wish in any way to criticise the posi- ton assumed by the City Council, as they are doing the very best they can for the tax payers, and it is up to the men, who produce the revenue for the City Council to expend to ex. press themselves in this matter.
 My suggestion is that petition. setting forth the necessity of> this project and showing that the city will do their part of it, be circulated in the town and it two thirds or a substantial majority of the revenu, producers of Ketchikan subscribes to such a petition, then the present olty Council, can feel fully justified In proceeding with this enterprise VII say further that it is up to the revenue producers of the town of hetchlkan as business men. to de. eide whether they consider this pro lect a meritorious one or not, for they are the ones who produce the revenue Is 1t to our interest, as business mon to expend this money9 What is the purpose of expending money for building streets or roads unless it con tributes to your success as business menf Now let's be fair. Let us lool, into this proposition in a business way. The writer of this has been accused of being selfish and beino an interested party I plead guilty 1 own a home along the water front beyond the city limits that if the street and the Government roadway were completed, would, in measure benefit me. l ask you in all honor. are any of us otherwise situated in life! Hoping that a rational view Of this matter will be taken, because no appropriation can be obtained iron, the territory unless the city takes the initiative.