The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-22
CIT LElY Fixed ]
AT 70lCE !. Il 5 \
500 VALUATION
Directors Hold Special ses'
sion---Confer WithReal 5
Estate Man.

Seventy cents on the 500 valua-
ton was decided upon as the tax
levy rate for the city OF Fairmon
at special meeting of the Board
Of Directors held at 10 o'clock
this morning in the city hall.
George Brobst, real estate dealer
representing the Fairmont Real
Estate Board, attended the direct
ors' m meeting Contrary to expecta-
tons, Mr.. Brobst did not demand a
radical reduction in the estimated
levy but stated that he considered
70 cents about the right figure.
Now, seriously asked director
Of Water J. Clyde Morris do you
or do YOU not thing the levy is too
high %
Il think not" said Mr.. Brobst.
Refers to maid"
But the Maid on the Courthouse
said you thought 1t was too high"
Mt. Morris informed Mr.. Brobst in
an injured tone.
3."I'm not responsible for what the
Maid on the Courthouse says" Mr..
Brobst answered back, just like
that.
Then you think" suggested Mr
Norris
1T is my belief and think the
majority OF real estate men in the
city will agree with me that the
directors, have kept faith with the
people of Farm ont in their prom
Use OF last spring to keep the levy
as low as posi- ble,'' returned Mr..
Brobst.
Thank you," said Mr.. Morris,
speaking for the board.
You are certainly com p1ilnen-
tary," said Director Of Finan ce Da-
Wis, land j am sure the board ap-
preciates it."
TITS not very often We get COM
plimen like that" said Mayor viii
liam w. Conway. When folks adj
dress US. they usually use a differ
ent tone from yours.
director Davis called the atten-
ton Of the board to places where
a reduction OF the levy had been
suggested. The first was in the case
Of the pumper for the fire depart
ment. This item OF the budget was
discussed at some length.
No Serious Fires
We've been fortunate" said Di-
rector of Streets w. Z. Arnett, ''in
not having large fires. am glad
We have not had much use for the
fire equipment we have But we do
need this pumper to increase our
pressure
1--WE should hardly need it in the
case Of residence fire. Not unless
three or four buildings were burn
ing at least. But should any large
building in the city catch fire. we
would be helpless. We would need
the pumper and it would be too late
to send for it after the fire had
started
THAT pumper will be the best
fire insurance in the world for Lair
mont declared Director Norris.
The other question brought up
by Director Davis was the matter
Of street paying. Under the presf-
ent conditions the city pays one
third OF the cost OF improvements
and pays the whole expense on in
,tersections, in addition to the
heavy cost ofslaying sewer and wa
ter lines.
Some -arrap cement might be
made" said one member OF the
board. $50 that the property-oWners
should bear the whole expense Of
the Improvements. inns SnOulo ne
done. in my estimation, but cannot
be done under our present char
ter
Not sea-Worthy Graft
Our city charter isn't a very sea
worthy craft, anyway" said anotn-
,er member. There are parts of its
referring to clauses and sections
that do not exist.
What we need, said third
mem Der of the group, lis some eff
ficient lawmakers in the Lesisla-
tture instead Of a bunch OF political
blqckheads."
Attention was called to the fact
that Fairmont is considered a pro-
grcssive city but that only 81 400 is
to be allowed this year for pro-
gress. The total tax for 1922 was in
creased by just that much over the
1921 levy. Each man, woman or
b. b.