Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-13
EVERYONE IS FOR
BUILDING-BUT!
CONTINUED from First Page.l


commissioners. both because of its
need and the desire of the commits
sioners to Cooperate as much as
possible in the government wishes,
the duty of the officials is clear, City
Commissioner E. u. Gross declares.
The five commissioners are very
much in favor of the erection of the
building to aid in keeping abreast
with the onward march of the city.
Public sentiment in favor of the
erection of the building is very
great, Commissioner Gross says, and
he believes that favorable action will
be taken as soon as the necessary
legislation is provided. Until then,
however. both city and county COM
missioners must wait, he maintains.
Everything now looks favorable for
the reception of the bill, but oppo-
sition may develop from some un-
expected source, he declares.
"Not Safe'
Concerning the proposition of go
ing ahead and providing plans for
the erection of the building. Mayor
Daniel L. Keister said it would not
be the safe thing to do. The commits
sioners might get into some difficult
ties for which they would be held
personally responsible. he said.
Full power for the commissioners
to proceed with their plans is pro-,
vided in a measure which has been
introduced into the Legislature by
Senator Schantz. of Lehigh county,
Mayor Keister said. The people of
that legislators territory are strong
~ ir favor of such a plan as is be-
ing advocated here and are pushing
it actively There seems to be little
doupt that 1T will pass, Mayor Keis-
ter believes
Both the city and county commits
sloners are very much in Tabor of
the plan, he says, believing that
favorable action to provide for the
proposed structure will be taken
SHORTY after the legislation becomes
effective.
Commissioner Charles w. Burt
nett declares that the city commits
sioners are very much in favor of
the proposition and are doing all
they can TO push the fight. But until
the necessary legislation is enacted,
the commissioners absolutely can
not do anything. he declares.
- In State OF Rest
me proposition is now in state of
rest, County Commissioner Charles
=. Cumbler said to-day No action
is legally possible. he said, and none
VIII be attempted, he declared until
tne Legislature gives its sanction to.
the erection of buildings by a city
ana county, Jointly, through legisla-
i've enactment, he declares. Senti-
nent Tor the construction of the
pulidlng Is quite strong. Mr.. Cumb-
Ter declared, but he is strong in his
assertion that officials hands are
bound under present Conditions
Road and bridge construction
work by the county promises to be
quite extensive this year. Plans have
not peen fully developed and are not
YET ready to be made public. At
present the commissioners are en-
gagged In the revision of assessments
throughout the county, and it is ex-
pected that this will occupv their
attention for the next month. Mr.
Cumoler says. But after the revi-
sion has been made work in nuttinp
such plans into operation will. be
started in earnest, he promises.
Inc program of the state is of
uheNceiled breadth in the history of
.he commonwealth. It's road and
orluge work is quite wide in scope.
put the plans for the State street
pIIuse across the PENNSYLVANIA rail-
Ioau tracks and Capitol Park Ex-
n
terest harrisburg people chiefly. Em-
ployment to hundreds of DISCHARGED
soldiers and sailors will be furnish
ed py them, and the labor situation
created by the stoppage or slowing
up OF many industries as a result of
the cessation of hostilities will he
considerably alleviated.
Work Under Way
work on the Capitol Park Exten-
sion is even now under way and
plans for the erection of the State
street bridge are progressing with
pleasing rapidity. The Capitol Park
Improvement plans provide among
other things for the widening of
Third street from Walnut to North
street through the tearing away of
the pavement adjoining the park and
to erect a suitable boulevard. Pres
ent plans provide for similar treat
ment, although probably not on as
extensive scale, for Walnut and
North streets. The State and city are
interested Jointly in this work.
ONCE buildings are included too
IN the construction program. At
least one such building is being
planned for erection before fall and
others may be started to provide
suitable facilities for all depart
ments.
Probably the most outstanding
feature in the building program of
private interests is that of the Phil
adelphia and Reading railroad bridge
across the Susquehanna river. The
plan has received thorough consid-
Grafton and plans have been care
fully formulated for the enormous
viaduct to care for the transporta-
ton company's greatly increased
needs.
Definite announcement has not
yet been made as to the exact time
when the plans will get under way.
although it is generally believed that
spring and summer will see opera-
tions under way.This work has been
delayed this long largely because
of war conditions.
The City's Plans
That S74,500 is available for
munlcipal improvements is a state
ment for which Mayor Daniel L.
Keister is responsible. These i'm
provements are expected to be start
d as soon as possible and men dis
charged from the military service
will be given the preference, Mayor
Bolster adds.
OF the total sum available for this
class of improvements, $22,5OO has
been set aside for the improvements
to Third, Walnut and North streets
in conformity with the states pIan
An additional $4,000 is designated
for the repairing of asphalt and
other sfreatS of tho oit,, -. ~.