The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1917-02-09
Otis A. Brumby, Editor,
Cobb County Times,
Marietta, Georgia.

Dear Sirs
In your editorial Pulling Back"
last weeks issue, you state that
some owners nave not signed up"
for the paving and are holding
back the wheels of progress"
AS | am one of that number, and
as your article places this class in
the position of being obstruction
lists, beg to give you my reasons
for having not endorsed the present
proposed plan for paving.
My understanding is that the
proposed paving is estimated to
cost S45, 10000, that the property
owners are to pay for 2 foot side
walk around the square, and in ad-
dition, they are to pay one third of
the balance. The street car com
pany and the City alike are to pay
one-third each. | do not think that
it is tair nor just for the property
owners to pay for the entire cost
Of the sidewalk and then in addi-
ton one third of the cost of the
remainder.
The city proposes to pay it's por-
ton out of its yearly income. In
the past and up to date, no admin
istration has hau a surplus of cash
with which it could make perman-
nent improvements. On the other
hand the City's present indebted
ness is not caused by any perma-
nent improvements, but due to the
fact that the City has not had suf-
ficient revenue to take care of it's
expenses. AS these are facts, | do
not see how the City can pay it's
portion of this paving out of it's
yearly income, and take care of our
streets, sidewalks, and other de-
partments If our streets, side
walks, and other departments will
have to suffer further neglect for
this improvement, l say the plan
is not founded on sound reasoning.
The street car company takes the
position that they are not lawfully
bound for any portion of the paving
on the square, but have agreed to
pay for eight feet, which would re-
present about one nintn the cost
instead of One-third. My attorney,
states that it is a question as to
whether the street car company is
liable for any portion of the paving
on the square; that the law on that
that law on that point is not clear:
ana That unless the street car COM
pany Will Obligate themselves for
one Jhlrd OF the cost, that the CITY
authorities cannot reliably count on
them for any specific amount. I'm
der these conditions, the City can
not say nor are they in a position
to know just what the cost of the
City's part will be. If the street
car company will not obligate them
selves to pay one third of the eX-
pense, would it not be most prudent
TO let this matter rest for four
months till the legislature met. and
then get the act amended so tina.
there would be no question as to
their liability, and l insist that the
CITY authorities should know be-
lore any work is commenced inst
what their part will cost
We now all agree that Marietta
must have an increased water sun
ply and must have it quickly. What
expense the City or its department
OF water and lights will nave to 90
to in order to procure an ample SIM
ply is unknown. The water SUD-
ply is an absolute necessity and
should be provided for first.
The Mayor ana Council recently
gave the Kennesaw Paper Co, the
right to take up their pipes at the
end Of six months. provided the
CITY did not purchase their plant.
rms time would expire about July
ISL II the paving is started as
promptly as is expected, it wouId
De completed judge before the
six months option from the Paper
Co, expires.
IN the event the city did net
purchase their plant, they world
take up their mains. as well as their
other pipe around the square. which
would mean tearing up Of the pave
ment Just laid If the City pur-
chased their plant, | judge that IN.
City would remove one set of those
mains on the square, as well as con
siderable other pipe. sell 1t and an
ply the amount to the purchase. 50
It appears that whether the Civ
purchases the plant or not. one set
Oh the mains on the square will be
removed at an early date.
These are my reasons for havin ..
not 'Sip0p1 NM for +bo -.