Clay Greene Opposes The City Building

He Prefers That the City Rent of Him

Says It Will Cost More for the City to Own and That Money Is Needed for Other Things

Editor Argus:
The new mayor has sent in his inaugural message. Among other things it contains one item of $30,000 to erect a palatial residence for our much overworked (?) city officials. Before this is done it should be borne in mind that the coffers of this city for some years to come will not have any funds for a large outlay for ornamental display. Moreover, at the present price of building material and labor $30,000 would not erect a suitable structure for our city. Furthermore, the history of all public buildings shows the cost to be at least one-half more than the original appropriation. Also the taxpayers must take into consideration the furnishings to be placed therein, which would be $5,000 at least, and after that comes the yearly expenses, janitor services, heating and lighting and other incidentals costing the taxpayer each and every year $2,000 or more. Do the taxpayers of Ann Arbor wish to borrow $50,000 with interest at 4 or 5 per cent to be expended for such luxury? Do the taxpayers of Ann Arbor wish to donate $2,000 every year for year to come to warrant such a luxury?

The present quarters occupied by the city officials are well located and have all the comforts and conveniences necessary and are adequate enough for some years to come at an annual rental of $300.

It is absolute necessities that are staring the taxpayers of this city in the face and will, for some years to come. The time will come and not so very far away, that Ann Arbor must operate its waterworks and electric light plant. Ann Arbor has many of her streets to pave to make them passable for the greatly increased traffic. The larger portion of our sewer system is yet to be completed for the general health of the city. The grade separation confronts the taxpayer at an enormous cost either one way or the other. The taxpayer is wondering what is to become of that little overdraft that keeps increasing with such due regularity to maintain the running ex-building Ann Arbor would be like dressed up tramp.

C.A. GREENE.

Ann Arbor, April 20, 1903.