The Semi-weekly leader., 1919-08-30
TALKS ON THE SEWERAGE QUESTION
HOW our oITY APPEARs TO
OTHER PEOPLE.

l VAAA1&s Iva A@AN,
/ did not fully cover all Of the
ground in my Wednesdays article
and as I still hear many expressions
against, I have another view to call
attention to and that is civic pride.
When all other argument is exhaust
ed sometimes shame will bring any
one over If they are not too hard
set in their ways.
We have a beautiful little city,
pretty buildings, pretty residences,
nice grayeled Streets water works
and electri lights and are, above
all, good people. None ever lived
that are more lovable than in Brook
haven; always ready to respond to
every call and especially in trouble
and distress. This was demonstra-
ted in my recent sorrow and there
will be always a tender spot in my
heart for the people here who we're
so sympathetic, and some of these
same people who are so bitterly op-
posed to necessary improvement
would give their all il necessary to
anyone in distress. So why still be
set in your ways gentlemen; but be
open to conviction.
How would you regard man who
had nice property, plenty of money
and no improvements? You would
call him an old miser. Now you are
not miser; but you jump at con-
clusions; you have not stopped to
think how little additional taxes you
would have to pay.
Brookhaven tax rate is possibly
the smallest Of her size in the state,
but the economic way in which our
water works and electric light plants
have been handled and bonds retired
she can be taxed several mills more
and still be lower than most towns
Of her class. So why stand on the
bank Of the stream and cry "Too
deep, too deep?" / cannot cross be-
fore measuring the depth and COM
pairing statistics with other cities
who have them.
Look at 1t in sensible way. What
is the additional tax on $125,OOO2
Compared to the wealth Of Brookha-
ven, not an individual would feel 1t.
The total amount IL subscribed by
the people, would be no more than Is
expended in automobiles say 125 at a
thousand apiece and there are many
more than this, besides some are rid
ing in $4,000 cars and then too
stingy to pay little tax on sewer
age. Shame!
If the Baptists can build by sub
scription a $4,000 church and the
Methodists do the same, Brookhaven
ought to In a days time get the
amount for sewerage by popular sub
scription. But the city only asks
the interest from year to year and
a growing Brookhaven could retire
these bonds In twenty years, SO 1t
would not be felt.
One more word-about two years
ago in getting on Number to go to
Memphis, / found most of the occu-
pants growing drowsy with sleep.
One lady awaked and seeing the
lights out the window cried Look
at the White Wayi' The whole
crowded car were at the windows in
stantly admiring the beauty. My
heart swelled with pride. They ask
ed the name Of this beautiful place
and as was the only one who had
gotten on, told them. And as the
train pulled out certainly could
agree with them.
1t was beautiful; but down UNDER
meath was disease, Nth, pollution.
For several minutes all were wonder
ing about the pretty little interior
city and middle aged man of nice
appearance came to me and asked
the name again, the population,
what sustained it and gave him its
history. Formerly sustained princi-
pally by a lumber concern; but on
account Of adverse legislation moved
to an adjoining state; how blue 1t
looked for us with 100 vacant houses
besides a whole little eity-Pearlha-
ven.
But we began to encourage immi-
grafton and developed our cut-oVer
lands into cattle and farming and we
soon began growing again.
He seemed much interested and
asked about improvements; If we had
water works, too-good roads-sew-
erage. answered we had the two
former but not the sewerage. He
was perfectly surprised and wonder
I'd since sewerage was twin sister
TO water, why we did not have IL;
that no city was complete without 1t.
told him there was too much op-
position and mostly from the money
ID men. He said THAT ought not
10 be. You will not ind such con-
iitions elsewhere and it Is a wonder
hat your town has grown any at ali
IS people are usually very careful a.
bout their health"
This is how other people look at
Is.
q w Ann