The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-07-12

for te protection safety of the citizens or climb
ing firemans ladder to the lives and property of
the citizens In these days when the cost of living has so
increased believe that the salaries of the underpad en-
ployes of municipality and indeed all those who make
wealth by their labor, should be paid commensuraey with
the results of their labor.
Employment Bureau-This administration created al
free public employment bureau which has been helpful
both to employers and employees
Coal and Wood Yard-When our railroads were kept
busy by the Government in connection with the and
heatless days were in the present administration
sought to relieve the suerngs of the poor by establishing
the yard where wood and coal might be bought cheapy
possible.
Gay Street Vaduct-My position on this is too well
known for much comment To give the people of Knoxville
this Improvement has been my greatest ambition Mayor
BY this time they realize that the majority of the present
administration has been trying give the people what they
most DESIRE and what the people said they wanted at the
ballot box-namey viaduc from Vine Avenue to Depot
Street The construction of this vaduct started butt
it will not be completed when my term of office expires
Permit to call the attention of people this fact
that the plans for this Gay Street Vaduct subject to-
change by whatever administration is in power Do YOU
realize that the incoming administration they SO choose
change the plans and build the vaduct from Depot to
Jackson Avenue? The viaduct the tracks must
be first built order to accommodate the people of North
Knoxville One of the gentlemen who has announced him
self informally candidate for Mayor opposed and voted
agans 1.-THE building of this viaduc to Vine Avenue and
am informed that the opponents of that vaduct have
lively sought candidate for Mayor If am reelected
promise the people of Knoxville that shall advocate and
work to build this vaduc to Vine Avenue just hard
have in the past The people expressed themselves this
shall be carried out. the people who in favor Of
this long vaduct which my opinion will be the greatest
Improvement ever made in the history of Knoxville to be
on their guard If reelected pledge myself to vote
and work to have the Clnch Avenue vaduct brought
level grade Other vaducts badly needy at danger
crossings make the business district accessible
to the travelling public and relieve the congestion of traffic
am in favor of Civil Service to all employees of the City,
for efficiency through experience and not in
favor of turning out the experienced to make for the
inexperienced. BUT WHERE AM OF THE OPINION
THAT CHANGE SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE BET
TERMENT OF THE SERVICE / SHALL MEET MY
DUTY UNFLINCHINGLY AND WITHOUT REGARD TO
MY PERSONAL FEELINGS. During my administration
voted to make change in the head of of the departs
ment, and did because from the information at hand
thought it for tie betterment of the service although
the officer removed my personal friend and supporter
thought then doing right by the people of Knox
vile The people of Knoxville familiar with the
and the custer proceeding that followed by of
vote to the officer to another place in the depart
ment and within the Civil Service In casting my vote to
make this change acted in best judgment for the
pie of Knoxville who elected me- By of so doing
have been forced at heavy personal financial COST to de-
fend myself and the office the people gave through all
the courts of the state.
AS Mayor have performed every duty imposed upon
by National Government during the The
arduous task of registration for the Army in this city,
performed with the help of patriotic men and
women without cent to National Government;
while other cities png large sums upon the Gov
eminent for the service When our boys came hOme
your Mayor devoted myself actively to aid your
representative in giving them just the reception and well
they justly deserved and which would re-
dOund to TIE credit of patriotic city and Citizens as
well to their honor Those who made the Supreme Sacr
flee have also tried to honor though of necessity
small way compared to their glorious deeds.
was member of the committee of Is known as the
Greater Knoxville Committee l the only member Of
that committee who voted against and opposed the pres
ent boundary lines which Knoxville 26R square miles
against square miles. not in favor of forcing
people into tte corporate limits against their will, and
especially against bringing into the corporation farms
and of old fields which the present generation will
converted into city lots am for reasonable and
fair boundary lines where there is prospect of the prop
erty taken in becoming city lots and getting some benefit
from the taxes the have to pay. The city is not
financially able to give and it will be years be-
fore do thing all commensurate in the OF
benefits great deal of the property taken into the
city in return for the taxes those who own it forced to
pay from year year. but if reelected will vote for ev
cry improvement possible in the territory This extern
sion of territory has been burdensOme to the city fnanci
ally especially with the high cost of labor and materials
but Knoxves credit is still good and her payrOs and her
obligations have been promptly met, even when other
greater cities the land during the strain Of the war Pc
Rod have not been able to do likewise During the war
when labor materials of every kind had advanced so
much able to meet the pay rolls and obligations
without any increase in revenue.