San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-04
GREATEST
YEAR IN s. A.
PROGRESS
Rapid Municipal Strides
Lay Growth Foundation
Says Bushick.
By FRANK H. BUSHl
City Tax Commissioner.

God made the country, but it takes
hustling citizens and taxes to make
a city.
In this respect il is important to
have municipal affairs in the hands of
a progressive, capable and practical adj
ministration which can command pub
lie confidence and do the big con-
structive things which every growing
city requires.
The city government is the organism
through which a community must pro-
vide public improvements, health and
sanitation, police and fire protection
and other forms of public service which
are q proper charge against the tax
ing power. 1t is, therefore, of first
Importance to have municipal cooper
alton with the various civic bodies
striving for the highest advancement
OF the city's material, moral and social
welfare.
GREATEST PROGRESS.
The year of 1925 will 90 down in
local history as the year in which
San Antonio made her greatest stride
: in municipal progress. 1t is the mile
stone which marks her entry into the
class of cities of over 100000 popula-
ton and in which was laid the foun-
dation of her permanent growth and
prosperity.
If San Antonio has not grown as
fast ~ Los Angeles or Denver, let
1t also be remembered she has not
suffered as much as some other south
western cities in the general depres-
sion which followed the late World
War.
However, it can not be denied that |
local building operations and business
conditions sustained a serious setback |
BY the flood of 1921, which overflow
ed the central business portion Of the
city. This depression lasted for a
year or two because Of the possibility
OF the recurrence of such a disaster.
The dull period LASTED until Mayor
Tobinis administration came into Of
flee with a program of immediate and
effective flood prevention, the building
OF new auditorium, tax equalization,
street widening and recreational cen
tiers.
NEW CAPITAL
A bond issue of s4,35O, 900 was vot-
ed and the new administration went TO
work with energy. Confidence was
restored and the credit of the flood
district was revived. New money
flowed into San Antonio for invest
ment and building operations were
resumed.
An important result Of this influx
of new capital was the lowering of
interest rates on building and COM
mercial loans. Six and seven per cent
money is now plentiful. Big develop
aent has been impossible with high
interest rates.
The expenditure Of some five mil
lions of city money was accompanied
by an expenditure Of some ten or fif-
teen millions in private investments.
Az thus new money flowing into the
channels OF trade has not only avert.
ed business depression, but has given
San Antonio growth and impetus
which makes our city one of the most
progressive in the country and Is at
tracing TO Us many desirable new
people and much new capital.
A VITAL FACTOR.
To realize how important has been
the city governments activities il is
only necessary TO pause and reflect a
upon what might have hap
Dened IL the community had refused
q use its bond credit to finance flood
This public money will not only {
life and property, but has
prevented the shrinkage Of millions of
dollars in values. Its expenditure in
,ur midst has given us the advantage !
Df the actual money in circulation as
well as the benefits of the improve
ments. 1t is an actual instance o.
eating our cake and having it at the
same time.
Another six months will see the {
of our city auditorium. IL
will be the largest and most beautiful
n the South. 1t will not only serve {
,ur home people in many. ways, but I
{ viii attract hundreds Of large con- |
lentions TO our city which can not now {
De accommodated and each Of these
will leave large sums Of
money in our city and attract 70 US J
many visitors and new residents.