The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-02-19
CONTINUED
FROM PAGE I
eRIFFlTNS WRITES
Of CITY PROBLEMS


done. II may not be difficult 10 con.
meet up with tho railways OF the
city.
I Long Time Bords
My charter amendment to pro
vide longtime bonds. and ways
and means to secure. thru earnings
or otherwise. water supply and
light and power sites. was adopted
by the people. They also voted for
more light and power sitcs-thc
Hebb and Cushman sites.
But we are told that municipal
ownership IN our city IL In gruve
peril.
Hut lot ms not be afraid. THEIR
PEssIMlSM Is FOR POLITICS
ONLY.
That Dry Dam
Take another case: II our dry
dam. now involving. with interest
on the 20-year bonds We voted.
over $4,000 900. cannot be saved
II the north bank gravel bar canno,
be made a good municipal owner.
ship bank by keeping water In the
hasln--then we must vote another
bond issue 10 build another dam nj
another site on Cedar river. FIRST
OF ALL. BECAUSE OF THEi
GREAT SUM At STAKE. WE
MIST SPEND MONEY LIKE WA.
TER TO MAKE THE DAM HOLD
WATER If THAT SHOULD
FAIL. WE MUST BUILD AGAIN.
FOR WE MUST NOT GIVE rpl
THE RIVER FOR THIS PURPOSE
BECAUSE OF A COSTLY BLUM
DER.
This unhappy prospect brings
me to the financial side OF munich
pal ownership.
Some OF my friends think Of cv.
erythlng else except the money TO
buy or build.
In the matter OF money. this city
is like n family which lives upon a
fixed salary.
The state constitution limits the
Indebtedness OF this city at any
time TO sum not exceeding 10 per
cent OF our last assessed valuation.
Taking the last published figures
Of the comptroller. we find tho as
sessed valuation Of the city TO be
s2is 100000 plus.
Limit OF Law
This fixes our indebtedness lin.
II at s2i .s07. 900. Five per cent OF
this. By law. We may cxpend FOR
light, water and sewer purposes.
At that time our general indebted.
ness from bonds sold was si7.354..
900. At the same time there we're
authorized for sale further bonds
In the sum OF si.245. 900. We have,
therefore, bonded indebtedness
OF Sfs.59g 900. This leaves n mar
gin to go on OF f3.307 900.
For light, water and sewer. our
bonded debt Is se.033. 900. For all
general purposes. ss.32f 900. AID.
portioning the above bonds author.
lied but not yet sold. there il left
less than $4,000 900 debt margin for
light. water and sewer purposes.
and n little over $1,000, 900 for ey.
cry other conceivable municipal
purpose. This margin OF indebted. |
ness must be kept for necessities
and emergencies.
Let us mention several OF the
many things this city stands. or |
soon will stand. in need of. con. |
corning which. take IL. we are all |
agreed: Water condults: adequate
reservoirs: salt water mains; larger
light plant. Cedar river dry dam TO
be made water tight. or the build. |
Ing OF new dam where the bank
VIII hold water; new police sta.
ton, and considerable equipment
for that department: n detention
place for women prisoners; a new
detention place for male prisoners;
sufficient light In our dark alleys.
and In or around our parks and
Fairgrounds. more play places;
comfort stations. new fire stations
In several parts of the city, and
many other improvements which 20
10 make up n real civilized city.
Even the cost OF these things IL
beyond our present ability To pay.
II seems TO me. then, that all a
practical person can expect Just
now with respect TO further prog.
ress In municipal ownership, In that
We connect up and complete and
make the most OF the utilities the
city now owns. and postpone new
ventures until such time as pros |
pcrity returns 10 this city.