The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-31

mi having the question OF putting out additional
- bonds for new bridges and other municipal i'm.
proYements settled at once. regardless OF whether or not
It is e~xpedient to force the issue at this time or not. he
has become convinced that action on this question must
be taken at once, and it does not seem likely at this
time, Judging from what Mayor Bowen had TO say at the
meeting Of the Board Of Alias yesterday morning. that
any person will be able TO get the idea out Of his head
This may lead the Mayor into %plunging bhndly into a
controversy which will in all probability end disastrous
IL for the chief executive OF the city and the citizens OF
Fatrmont as well. Hasty and drastic action at this time
may be the means Of preventing for some time to come
q much needed improvement.
Mayor Bowen probably means well and is honest IN
his opinion that now is the time to call an election Tor
additional money for new bridges and other improve
rents; but the Mayor is undoubtedly On the wrong
rack. In the first place the people of Fairmont want to
know lust exactly how much money is needed; how the
money is to be spent; how much certain corporations
are going to give towards the fund for the new bridges
and Just how far the new bonds are going to effect the
taxes Of the property owners Of this city. The wno.e
situation is in an unsettled condition, and there is mol
one person who is able to make a reasonable report as
10 Just how the matter stands. The Mayor is just as
INCH up in the air as any other person. but he stu IN
lists on putting the bond issue up to a vote Of the peo'
pie Just as soon as possible.
A prominent citizen told the Mayor plainly yesterday
morning that premature action on the bond issue would
move disastrous and that in all probability If an election
was called In the immediate future, without the reports
Of the committees Of the Chamber Of Commerce having
been given consideration, that the people Of Fairuiont
would in al probability not support the issue.
Mayor Bowen should remember that hssty action will
defeat his own purpose. He says that ne wants to see
re city improve and that he wants to get the bridges
and other improvements for the citizens He snou!d
sion to consider, however. that II the new bond issue IS
forced Ia an issue before the time is ripe that the peo'
ME win not respond and will by their ballot hit the is
she on the head. This would only be a temporary de-
feat; but It would make it harder to put the bonds over
the next time an election was called.
Mayor Bowen stated that there would be nothing lost
xheuld an election be called and the voters refused to
vote for the additional bonds. He was wrong on that
score. Not only would the money needed to conduct Inc
election be wasted, but the fact that the voters OF the
community turned down the proposition would have a
had effect ON efforts afterwards for another election on
tue same issue.
why such speed anyway? Suppose that an election
were to be held in two weeks, which is, OF course impos'
sible. and the people Of this city voted for the additional
honds. what could be accomplished before next spring!
NOTHING at all. You can't build bridges in the winter
+ would be far better to take a little time now and get
re proposition in shape for consideration by the voters
before ordering an election.
The West VirginIan has always stood FOR improve
msnts and will always stand for improvements for the
vood OF the community. There is no question but that
ne suggested Improvements would be q good thing LOT
he city. But this is the question: Is this an opportune
time TO rush through an election on the question? II
does not seem SO. AS matters stand at the present time
WITH the proposition IN such indefinite shape the citizens
a. Fairmont would not rally to the support Of the mea.
snre, and IN the best interests Of the city the mayor
should refrain from forcing the issue until the different
EATERS In connection with the improvements are more
aeanisely settled.