The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-27
S900,000 BOND
ISSUE PROPOSED
BYC|TYOFF|C|ALS
Coal Run Bridges Condition
Used as Clue to Put 1t
Over.
MUCH OPPOSITION TO It.
Predicted That Present Plan
Must Be Materially
Modified.
MUCH OPPOSITION TO IT.

20 bond the city for the sum of
100000 was the surprising prSeosi-
ton submitted by the oBard Of AZ
fairs AT meeting OF the Chamber Of
Commerce yesterday evening. This
report was laid before the Chamber
by Mayor Bowen who is also the
chairman OF the committee which has
been working on the bridge question.
In justification OF the proposition Of
bonding for the tremendous sum OF
100000, or nearly one million dol.
lars, which is far in excess OF what
will be needed 70 construct all the
possible improvements that are con.
;emplated in Fairnont, the Board Of
Affairs through the report OF the chair
man Of the bridge committee stated
that with this sum all Of the existing
outstanding indebtedness OF the cit!
could be paid on and the new blanket
issue of 500. 900 worth Of bonds would
thus be the only obligation Of the
city. 1t was the statement Of Finance
Commissioner Barnes that saving
could be made on the interest Of The
present debt by calling in the several
outstanding bond issues including the
unredeemed water works bonds. The
precarious condition Of the South si1e
bridge was urged by the committee
as o reason for putting over 70 this
tremendous bond issue al this time.
The manner in which the 100000
IS to be used. according TO the Board
of Affairs IS: s275,000 for outstand-
ing bonds, Ss50,0eO for the Mononga-
hela River Bridge, 100000 for Coal
run bridge, s35,0oO for widening and
improving the grade with the paving
of Locust avenue between Mccoy
street and Cleveland avenue, $4,000
for sewer and culvert crossings in
Coal run opposite the Normal school.
$4,000 for general extension Of the
sewer system, $4,000 10 take up the
present floating Indebtedness.
The members OF the Chamber pres
ent were rather stunned by the huge
ness fthe proposal and motion 10
approve the proposition and 10 rec
Commend that the Board Of Affairs call
special election and submit the prop
osidon TO the voters Of the city was
made before any discussion OF the
proposition was begun. Before this
motion was voted upon however the
discussion Of the various phases Of
the question was begun. The fact
that no provision had been made for
the help of any Of the public service
Corporations tIhe city was brought
out and 1t appeared that the city Of
dcials had no assurance that any help
from any OF these would be given.
The discussion also brought out the
fact that even II the bond issue could
be voted on and passed the actual
CONSTRUCTION OF any OF the bridges
could not possibly be begun before
next Spring. The delay necessary at-
ter the election for the proper float
ing Of the bond issue and the prepaT-
alton of the plans and specifications
o fine new bridges would make the
time before the bids could be let SO
hate In the year that the unfavorable
weather would necessitate the post
ponement Of the construction.
II was further pointed out that the
repairs necessary now for the South
side bridge would have 70 be made at
once and that TO use the present con-
dition At this bridge as an argument
forithe passing Of such stupenduous
bond Issue would be poor policy.
Many of the members stood out
strongly in favor OF tabling the prop
osition and appointing additional COM
mittees TO call upon the Traction com.
pany the railroads and the county
court 70 insist that they pay their
share OF the cost Of the two bridges.
The fact that the Traction company
and tia Monongaheia railroad wonld
be greatly benefited by the new
bridges was urged IN support Of this
stand.
". .. wiegel, then made a motion
TO table the project and appoint such
committees to confer with the public
service companies and county court
and consider the matter Al the next
regular meeting Of the Chamber
which comes on the second Thursday
In Jniy. Mr.. W!egel In support OF his
motion to postpone the discussion OF
the proposition until the next meeting
clearly and conctsely emphasized all