Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-11

w CuiiSouoS SNShAhE. NA~@AbSe
assessments and providing for :"
ing city streets, are also propos
port Of the committee follows, WI
"Your committee to whom was re-
ferred the matter OF the proposed
amendments to the city charter. re-
spectfully report that we have given
the matter our careful consideration,
and recommend that the Commercial
club get behind these proposed amend
ments and request the city council 70
refer them to the people for adoption
May 21st. 1920. We are submitting
herewith. tentative draft OF the pro
posed amendments.
+ mo one can question the justice OF
the proposed raise In the salary of the
marshal Many subordinate city EN-
ployes draw more money. Common
labor is better paid than the marshal
This is not just The city should pay
fair and reasonable salaries.
Street Assessment Changed.
''rhe merits of the proposed change
in the method of assessing the corr 81
street improvements is apparent to all.
Street intersections should be paid for
by the city instead Of soaking two
thirds of 1t into the corner lot as
penalty for being cornor lot
THE present method OF assessing
corner lot for the full cost OF Inn
proving side street Is extremely un-
fair and unjust. Every piece Of prop
erty in block is benefited by the
paving Of the streets surrounding II.
and should pay accordingly. Under
the present plan, all inside lots escape
for the cost Of improving
a side street. No comment upon the
injustice of this method Is necessary. |
While 1t may be true, as stated by
courts and textwriters, that no plan
yet devised will work out equal and |
exact justice under all circumstances.
we believe the proposed plan to be the
best yet devised.
Zone Of the greatest objections to /
paving In the outlying sections OF the |
city has been the high cost OF paving
The proposed plan will materially re-
duce the cost. and Will distribute It |
more equtably The greatest bene-
ficiary Of the change will be the own
ers of corner lots.
Woe.d Speed Paving.
1--WE believe the adoption of this |
will be an impetus to paw
ing In the residential sections, thus Inn |
and beautifylng the city. II Is
no argument against the proposed
plan to say that we have done well
enough under the present system. The
only wonder is that we have done so
well. II Is never too late to do justice.
or to right a wrong.
Proposed amendments 10 the char
ter Of the city of Salem, follow:
Proposed amendment Of portion
Of section 10 Of the charter,
"The salary Of the marshal shall not
exceed the sum Of $500 per annum,
and he shall not receive from the city
of Salem, any fees or compensation
In excess Of the sum al which
his salary shall be fixed by the COM
mon council.
ShfeiS y Snihfy inIitr.
The marshal Is the only city Off
clal whose salary the council Ii unable
10 raise above the sum Of $1,000, now
liked by the charter, This Is very un-
fair
Section AZ. For street improve
ment purposes, the term block Is
hereby defined to be a parcel Of land
bounded by three or more streets, as
aid off In plated additions or a par.
rel of unplatted land bounded by four
streets, Of the average size OF plated
blocks In the city OF Salem. Acreage
Is hereby defined TO be, all property
not laid off into blocks.
"All adjacent and abutting property
shall be proportlonately liable to as
for the full cost Of the in-
proyement of one half OF the street or
streets adjacent thereto or upon which
the same Adults, and shall be assessed
On the following basis:
I'm blocks, property shall be assess
I'd back TO the alley, or In lieu OF an
liley, to the center Of the block. Acre
age shall be assessed half way to the
next parallel street. but In no case
more than 200 feet distant perpendicu.
ar from the street under improve
nent.
In the case Of triangular and small +
blocsis and parcels Of land,
he assessment for the cost Of street
Improvement shall not exceed the aver
age superficial area rate OF assess
nent upon the regular blocks w-.;.in
such improvement district The ex-
cess shall be assumed by the City Of
salem.
All unit items Of cost in any street
such as excavation. fill.
irainage, grading and rolling or other
TENS affecting the improvement as
Whole. shall be distributed proportion
iteig over the whole area Of property I
liable to assessment In proportion 20
he area Of surface pavement charge 4