The Chandler News. (Chandler, Okla.), Vol. 13, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 18, 1903 Page: 1 of 12
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THE OFFICIAL PAPER OF LINCOLN COUNTY.
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The Chandler News,
FIRST PAPHR PUBLISHED IN LINCOLN COUNTY. H. B. GILSTRAP fcDITOR AND PUBLISHER. j
VOL. 13—NO. 40.
CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA. JUNE 18. 1903.
$ 1 .Ov. YEAR.
A Question of Interest.
I "HE PROPOSED issue of bonds
* for waterworks and street im-
provement purposes continues to be
one of the leading topics of conver-
sation in Chandler. There seems to
be practically no opposition to the
issue except us to some details. One
of the leading opponents of the issue
said to the editor of The News that
if the rate of interest were not ex-
ceeding five per cent he did not
believe that there would be twenty
votes cast against the bonds. This
rate of interest is practically the
only thing that the opponents of the
pending proposition are urging as a
reason for voting against the bonds.
They say that they believe that five
per cent bonds could have been sold ;
and that the matter was rushed
through too quickly ; that sufficient
notice of the proposed sale of the
bonds was not given nor sufficient
effort made to secure a more favor-
able proposition. On the other hand
it is claimed by some of those who
have had considerable correspond-
ence with a view to getting bids on the bonds,
that brokers claim that the condition of the mar-
ket in New York is such that bonds which sold
readily for a premium last year cannot now find
buyers and that higher rates of interest are de-
manded. One member of the committee appointed
by Mayor Burgess informs us that he wrote to
every firm that he knew of and that he was un-
able to get a proposition better than the one
which was finally accepted. The members of the
council deny that there was any efforts at avoid-
ing publicity and assert that the only haste was
due to the necessity of prompt action in order to
avoid a year's delay. We are informed that a
proposition will yet be submitted offering to take
the bonds at five per cent. If the bonds can be
sold at this price we womIcI like to see it done,
but we do not want to see such a proposition
given any consideration unless jt is offered in
WHAT IT MEANS
9
The proposition to vote bonds for waterworks
and street improvements—when shorn of minor
details—is a question of whether we want to go
ahead or stand still; whether we will provide for
present needs and pave the way for future pro-
gress or procrastinate till our opportunity is past;
whether Chandler shall be an up-to-date rep-
resentative city of progressive Oklahoma or a
little backwoods country town, whether we shall
make the most of our -^pportuinities or with faint
hearts hesitate while smaller and less favored
towns pass us in importance, population, and
wealth; whether we shall take a broad and busi-
ness-like view of the situation or shall allow some
small matter to prove a bar to our advancement.
Every voter in Chandler will help to decide
these questions one way or the other.
Which way will you vote?
T
Road Tax Levy.
HE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS must
meet soon to decide upon the amount of
tax to be levied for various purposes, and the
question naturally arises as to whether the people
of the county desire a* levy for road and bridge
purposes that will produce sufficient revenue to
enable the commissioners to accomplish anything
of permanent value in the way of improving roads
and bridges. We believe that the present board
of commissioners has the confidence of the peo-
ple of the county and that a good road fund placed
at their disposal would be so handled as to accom-
A Saving in Insurance.
TT IS ASSERTED by those who
1 have made a study of the matter
that the proposed improvements to be
made in the Chandlei waterworks
system would effect a reduction in
insurance rates of about one-third.
This is an important consideration,
for such a saving would amount, in
a single year, to several thousands
of dollars. This makes it all the
more important that there should be
no delay, for at present the rates of
insurance are very high, in some
cases prohibative. It is indeed ques-
tionable whether it would pay, laying
aside all thought of the other benefits
that would accrue from putting in
the waterworks system at once, to
delay the matter for a year just for
the sake of getting a rate of interest
one-half of one per rent lower. A
great deal of property in Chandler is
absolutely without insurance from
fire, and it is a question if several
thousand dollars saved to our people
next year is not worth more than
$250 a year saved during each of the
next twenty years. Another benefit of the pro-
posed extension and improvement of the water-
works is that it contemplates placing water and
fire protection within the reach of every part of
town. There would not be a property owner
living in Chandler who would not have a main
within at least one block of his property. The
people living on the east side of town have
been helping to maintain the present waterworks
system without any benefit to themselves. The
extension of the system would not only give them
water for their own use but would place it within
their reach for fire protection. At a very small
expense a fire station could be established and
apparatus provided for a fire company on the east
J
plish the greatest possible good for the greatest
number of people. What the board has done so side of town, giving the same degree of protection
far has met with general approval, and it is very that would be enjoyed in.the business district. De-
important that the good work should be continued. ; lay in matters like this is dangerous. Chandler
Applications come in to the members of the board has been fortunate in regard to fires, but there is
good faith. In ordei to avoid the suspicion that! from every part of the county for assistance in.no assurance that her good fortune will continue,
the offer is made simply in the hope of defeating' regard to roads or bridges, and in nearly every , A disastrous fire may break out any time, and
the pending proposition, the persons submitting a ease it is proposed that the people in the locality with our present insufficient and unreliable water
five per cent offer should put up a sum of money
to be forfeited to the city in case the bonds are
voted and they fail to take them as agreed. One
member of the council states that if such an offer
is made, accompanied by a forfeit of $1,000, he
believes that every member Of the council will
get out and oppose the present proposition, and
that as soon as this election is over another will
be called for the purpose of submitting the five
per cent, propooition. Such a course might result
in considerable delay, but it would at least be
evidence of the good faith on the part of the
members of the council. The one-half per cent
interest on the entire issue would amount to $250
a year. This is now the main point at issue. Shall
we allow so small a matter block our progress?
to be benefitted by the proposed improvements
will bear a liberal share of the expense. The
commissioners, however, will be able to do very
little or nothing at all. unless they are provided
with the means by a levy being made for that
purpose. We believe that in view of the con-
stant demand for assistance and the unquestioned
need of the work being dene, there will be a gen-
eral sentiment in favor of a good road tax being
levied. Those who are interested in the matter
—and this should include everybody in the
county—would do well to make their wishes
known to the commissioners, who, very nat'irally
and properly, wish to act in accord with the
wishes of their constituents in such an ;mportant
matter.
supply the damage wrought in a few hours would
amount to more than this entire system as pro-
posed is to cost. It would be poor consolation to
the men who would thus see the earnings of years
swept away to know that by the delay in provid-
ing proper protection the city was saving the sum
of $250 a year. We do not feel that it is unwise
to be economical, even, in comparatively
small amounts, but we do feel that there are
many instances where such a policy results in
"saving at the spigot and wasting at the bung-
hole." The difference involved is not sufficient
to warrant opposition, even if we were sure that
we could do better, and we are by no means sure
at this time that we can do better. This is a
mighty bad time for procrastination.
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Gilstrap, H. B. The Chandler News. (Chandler, Okla.), Vol. 13, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 18, 1903, newspaper, June 18, 1903; Chandler, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc117684/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.