The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-30

The discussion OF a proposed bond
issue Tor large amount to be ex-
pended for bridges and other munich
pal Improvements with the intima-
lion that definite action may be taken
at an early date: the adoption OF the
first order for the enforcement OF the
Anti.Smoke ordinance passed recent
.Iy;,.ihe, ,graneing Of number OF
buildfng permits, and the consitera-
ton Of petition for sewer and water
lines is j summary OF the work OF
the City Board OF Affairs at its reg
ular meeting this forenoon.
In response 10 the invitation or
Mayor Anthony Bowen and the other
members 0; the board nearly score
OF citizens attended the meeting to-
Gay, most OF them protesting that a
municipal bond issue election should
not be called until more opportune
time. Those active In voiclng pro-
tests were Sam Z. Nuzum, K. T. Cum
ningham, Attorney L. NJ. Showaiter.
Lock Hamilton, /. \. Lough.
Mayor Bowen and other members
OF the board with Clarence d. Robin
son argued that the interests OF the
CITY would be served best by allowing
the people to vote at an early date on
the bond issue proposition.
Mr., Hamilton opened the discussion
by a vigorous criticism OF the board
because Of the delay in the street paw.
ing work and because OF the incon.
yenieuce TO which residents OF the
city have been subjected. due TO the
paving work. He declared that curb
stakes have not been placed by the
city and that as result the putting
In OF Curbs by property owners has
been DELAYED. Commissioner A. /.
Lehman declared that curb stakes
would be placed at short notice upon
the request OF any person ready TO
construct q curb.
Mr.. Lough declared that the tax levy
in Morgantown. Clarksburg and other
cities was much lower than in Fair.
mont and that property owners in
this city were subjected TO great hard.
ships as a result OF the nigh levy
here.
The discussion following Mr..
Lough's statements lead J. Walter
Barnes. member of the school board
as well as OF the Board Of Affairs, TO
disclose the fact that the levy order
by the school board is ~ cents instead
of 73 cents as previously announced.
The cut from IS to - cents was made
Mr., Barns, said. following the dis.
coyery of an error in the published
estimates which enabled the board TO
get along with u cents for the teach.
ers' fund instead OF 25 cents.
Mr., Nuzum protested vigorously
against the tearing Of long stretches
of streets at one time for the pur-
pose OF putting in new pavements. He
called special attention to the street
in the vicinity OF the new normal
school site where building is being
constructed, declaring that any inter.
ference with the erection of the new
normal building should be avoided.
Mr.. Euzum declared that premature
action on the bond issue would be like
putting the cart before the horse. He
said the proposed bond issue had been
fathered by the chamber of commerce
which has taken considerable trouble
to investigate all phases OF the propo-
sition and that to order an election
without first getting reports from the
chamber and from the various commit.
tees OF the chamber would be wrong.
Mr.. Showalter declared property In
Fairmont Is assessed for the purposes
OF taxation at a higher price than It
can be sold for. He said that at pres.
mt Fairmont property cannot be sold
at 20 per cent 81 the amount invested
in it. Mayor Bowen urged that busi-
ness would be much better in Fair.
mont If the big bond issue was au-
thorized.
Mr.. Cunningham declared that Nor.
gantown and Monongahelia county
we're among the best governed munich
palities in the state and that the levy
in Morgantown was only S1.41. Des-