New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1919-07-19

take steps to fill in the ruts on our Main
Street while they are waiting to straight
en- ont the legal technicalities delaying the
paving"
In some places these ruts are so bad
that autos are damaged when running on
cur Main thoroughfare We offer them
the plausible excuse that in few weeks
work on the vtrified paving will begin in
dead earnest, and for that reason it is
useless to squander more money, filling
In holes at the present time! This is no
doubt the reason this particular avenue is
To those who understand the situation
rs il confronts our officials, well and good.
On the other hand when visitors pass
through New Iberia, travelling either East
ar West their criticism of New Iberia is
something calculated to do US much ia.
Jury. In some respects Mayor Sealy may
be right in not expanding another cent
repairing this highway when we are so
near starting the improvement in which
he has taken the lead, thus doing away
fcrevermore with such conditions as we
have been confronted in the past two
years On the other hand the users Of
sutpmobiles are having their machines
injured and they have some reason TO
Kick and complain as taxpayers. We feel
assured, had the City the funds some
Kind of material would have been pur-
chased long ago, and the holes filled in
months ago. The want of fnances,
TO our mind is more responsible for The
cUndition of the streets than any other
excuse that can be offered. From our
observation until there is some change m
cur form Of government the treasury of
New Iberia 10 likely to be depleted a. the
years roll on. In the first place the
Commission Form Of Government is one
that is entirely too expensive for town
the size of New Iberia,
Secondly, municipal ownership of the
electric light and water work plant has
mot proven . financial success from our
point Of view. Most Of the tax money
paid into the City treasury goes into
smoke in order to afford light and water
fsr the people Of New Iberia. This plant,
Il in the hands Of corporation could be
made = revenue producer, and yet the
franchise could be awarded in such q
mannsr that cheaper power would be
sapplied the users Of light and water and
he streets be ~ well lighted ~ they are
~ the present time. We know there are
many Of our best citizens who are strong
believers in municipal ownership, and no
doubt they would oppose movement
% dispense with it. We too enjoyed such
m opinion for many years, thinking that
Il was only question Of short while
Hefofe the Plant would derive such rev
Gnues through it, Management that even
s.zss could Be materially reduced. In
stsad Of that for . long period Of years
he City has had to 70 to the rescue of
u. Electric Light and Water Plant IN
~rdsr to keep up IL equipment % that
~ citizens would not b in total dark
r,ss. Almost every i've ysars new and
5nurov,d mschinezv has 70 b. pur-
<Ass,d. invslvinr theussnds 81 dollars |
An q thie has o s. net By The taxpay- !
u, annually. Thss. ars serious qass- |
tsons ana Il leohp Is = . long . - )
undsrs.ks Is epssats 4Ais Plsat the
1r,asurv vill cohtinue Is be depleted and |
uhssv vill not, even IS monsy enough !
!. huiN croasine. nuch less streets.
nr,sy inprevsnsnt IL eitissas Asvs ever
sssu.sd siaev a. esnstsseslsn 81 H. nu-
a;espa, owned water and electric light
rsans has been put into sffset through
spscial taxation W. havs now come to
~ conclusion that The City Of New he
IN would Be in better position to meet
h indebtedness were We drawing an an
~.i .t;c.ca f,orn : etoef comnanv Who