Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-01-09
City Fathers Open Letter
On Proposed Bond Issue

lie iOIONm2 open letter from
the city to the county court, refer
red to in the report of the council
proceedings elsewhere In today's
Journal is the result of an effort on
the part of the Mayor and Council
to bring success to the good road
movement and 10 Offset any oppo-
sition.
TO the Honorable, the County Court
Of Berkeley County, West Viz
ginia
Gentlemen
Knowing that the County Court
Is about to take under considera-
ton the submission of an issue OF
one million dollars Isl .000.000.00)
Of bonds for the construction OF
roads throughout the county. the
Mayor and the members OF the
Council of the City of Martins
burg feel that it Is their
duty. as the elected representa-
lives of the people, to call the at
tention OF the members of the
county Court to such phases Of
this situation, as they view
them, for such consideration as
the members of the County Court
believe they are entitled.
At the outset, let us assure the
members Of the County Court that
every signer to this letter is an ar
dent advocate Of good roads for
Berkeley County. Without roads
the development of the county
will proceed in the future along
lines not in keeping with the spir-
it of our people. Berkeley County
has always prided itself, among
all the counties OF the State, in
being foremost in road develop
ment.
The present plan or suggestion
OF the joint committees OF the
Chamber of Commerce and the
Farm Bureau. adopted at a meet
ing at which twelve residents Of
Martinsburg were present, without
an opportunity for previous study
Is so inequtable to the people Of
this city, and as we understand,
so defective. that 1t Is the inten-
tion or the vast majority OF our
citizens to vote against 4, if sub
mitted by your body. 1t is this
knowledge upon our part that leads
us To write this letter 10 YOU with
the hope that the plan may be so
amended and changed, or new
plan adopted that will commend
Itself 70 all classes Of our people,
and thus insure what everyone
sincerely desires, the development
Of our road system along modern
lines.
rs you are no doubt aware, with
In the past year. the City of Mar
tinsburg has inaggurated a move
ment that will, we trust, in al
least five years time, sewer and
pave the entire city. This will be
done at an enormous expense to
the tax payers OF the city; in fact
the city will expend in these five
years, and pay for in the coming
fifteen years, In these improve
ments, sum of about two mil
lions of dollars. These improve
ments have been begun and the
people of the city are committed
TO carry them out.
Having given this development
considerable study. 1t is TO be re-
sretted that before any plan was
adopted by any committee OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, or consid-
cred by members of your body.
that the elected representatives
OF the people OF the City of Mar
tinshurg, which have in hand these
very improvements within the
mi
them far enough this coming year
to make them effective and disable
were not at least consulted before
any action of any character was
taken, so that or views, If differ
ent, might be conciliated before
the nlan was taken up for final
consideration.
1t is not unfair TO say that out
side of the Winchester pike, which
has been In bad shape since the
heavy hauling during the war, and
a portion of the Charles Town
road which has never been macad-
amized, there is not one Class A
road mentioned in the plan sug.
sested by the committee OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, that is not
in better shape than any of the
streets of Martinsburg. outside Of
the paved portions of King and
Queen streets, Why, then, should
the people here, with the burden
of improving our streets. already
assumed. be seriously asked to
pave side roads leading off the
main roads? This condition OF the
streets in Martinsburg is not due to
any inaction upon the part of the
present, or even Of some former
administrations. Money spent in
improving them, when. In few
months, they will be torn "
again for the sewers, would be
money wasted. This administYa-
ton, wisely It IS believed. decided
not to pave the streets and spend
any money upon them until u.-fo-
date sewers were constructed m
der them, so that money might BE-
saved. and the work. WI oagl-
'p'eted, will be completed for all