Arizona republican., 1921-07-11

be supervised under one head. T have not the slightest criticism to offer upon the department as con- ducted, but I do believe that a close study of all that is required in these most important departments will show us that we are perhaps over loading one man with too many varied activities, and overlooking is some times false economy. We are building for the future and to de- velop new plans and new methods of municipal service we must think, study and observe. The mind ma chine seems unlimited in it's powers, yet desire and imagination play such important parts that diversification of interests and thoughts may .and does tend to retard it's most efficient functioning. By these statements I am in no way referring to personal ities or attempting to doubt or cast any reflections upon any individual. I am simply referring to we'll sknown principle of descriptive psy- chology developed from methods of introspection and observation of the behavior in mental processes.
 I would suggest that this matter be referred to the manager for his rec ommedation and at the same time each of you give it your thought and consideration.
 The paving question appears to be the most important matter with which we will have to deal within the next few months since the amount involved is approximately s1,000.0 900. bond plan we have adopted the more am convinced that we are flirting with a matter of most serious con-
 sequence, but I am unable to make any recommendation that will relieve
 the situation as to the work now con-
 templated, since We are informed that
 bonds issued under the 1919 plan car
 ried a loading charge amounting to 3s cents per square yard of paving tc
 cover the discount which must be
 made in disposing of them or obtain
 ing cash for the work when complet-
 ed. Not only the owner of the prop
 erty benefited is involved but it be-
 comes a matter of importance to every taxpayer of the city.
 Section of the 1919 act provides that when delinquent property is of fered for sale for paving assessment and there is no purchaser the city must be the purchaser appropriatine the amount out of the general fund Section IT provides that the city
 make good the deficiency out of othel funds.
 These two sections place a direc | burden upon the general fund tt
 make advances for delinquents and i l the property can not he sold for a:
 amount to equal the assessment ther
 the deficiency must be raised by tax | aticn.
 Section Is is equally dangerous fol any property holder in the benefited l district. It reads as follows:
 Whenever the assessment on an, | lot. piece or parcel of land levied fo
 said improvement or any part there l of, or the entire assessmer.. shall b. | adjudged void for any reason, tn
 legislative body of such municipalir.
 shall cause to be levied and assesse'
 upon the lots, pieces or parcels o
 land on which such assessment ha
 been held void, or upon all the othe l lots. pieces or parcels land, include | within the limits required to be as 3essed for said work under the provf | sions of the Improvement Act o 1 1912 and resolution of intention fo
 said work, or upon all the lots, piece ! or parcels of land required to be as | sessed by the Improvement Act C | 1912 and the resolution of intentio l for said work, a new assessment sui l ficient to provide for the paymer of principal and interest on all bond
 then unpaid. -. .'
 Il This gives the city power of reas sessmept until the entire issue for tn
 whole contract is paid.
 ] The last clause of this sectio
 reads as follows: "In case of an
 partial deficit the legislative body
 it's discretion may make Nn appro ] priation out of the general fund.
 make good such deficit, instead of ol l, dering reassesment. but nothin ] herein contained shall be construe 7 so as to require any legislative bod
 to make such appropriation" The last clause in the form of bon !. to be used as set forth in Section sessment or re- assessment, collectio
 and payment hereon of said specii l assessments. the full faith and dil
 gence of said municipality are heref , irrevocably pledged
 In view of the reassessment fes : ture the question arises as to whetht property holder has discharged h l full obligation when he pays his osie 5 inal assessment or may he be held ft 7 a pro-rata share of deficit occur , ring at any or all places within Il $ assessment district. If this is ces
 stitutional. then he should be particl ? larly interested with the city in a. | certaining whether or not every lc s piece or parcel along the propose !. paving is fully able to pay or wort l the assessment to be made and at t forced sale to bring this amount. This is not a proposition of "strair t ing at a gnat." On large majorii ] of petitions presented there will : fourd the length of some of the To 7 parallel with the proposed paving ar
 ~r-<. T..- e property is improved it will doubtle t be worth the assessment. If unin h proved, a doubt arises. The same al . plies to corner lots which may y paved on two sides.
 = believe We fully realize the S f riousness of these problems and W e scrutinize very closely any. propos = work under these conditions and tn e reduce the hazard to a minimum. e The present high costs of pavil y should make us more alert.
 $ As to a solution of the paving pro n lem, I have the opinion. that ult e mately it will become an importa If municipal function, and that citiz h interest should be awakened to t 0 point where legislative action of t - state is asked in order that the ci c may own and operate its own pavi n plant and do its own paving at '- great saving to the taxpayer. F Is the present we can only endeavor d encourage competitive bidding e bringing up a large quantity at O 1T bidding, and ascertain if competiti d on one class of paving is possible.
 it is found that alternate bids E.ay
 called for then let us try that. and = there is no competition present, the j. in my opinion, we should reject t [, bids. if unreasonable, and await le le islative action.
 l. As to the class of pavement bel e laid in the city, I have not the sligf