37

Fort Worth,Texas, Nov.6th, 1906.

To the City Council,
of Fort Worth.

Gentlemen:-

I hereby return without my approval the resolution adopted
by you at the meeting Nov. 5th, 1906 accepting the proposition filed by
the Market House Company and referring this matter to the Finance Commit-
tee, etc. Among the objections to this proceeding I mention the
following.

1st. The proposition requires that the city should purchase 125 by
250 feet of land adjoining certain land owned by the Market House Com-
pany and make it a free public square. There is no statement as to
what this land shall cost. I am informed that the land which the market
house expects the city to buy fronts south on Belknap St., and runs
north for the distance of 125 feet. I am informed also that the north
end of the lots contemplated reaches so near the bluff that the same is
from 10 to 14 feet lower than the frontage of the lots on Belknap St.,
and that to make the same level enough for public square there would
have to be a fill of 4000 to 6000 cubic yards of earth, and a brick
or stone wall built on the north and on a portion of the west to the
height of 6 to 14 feet.

How business men or officials charged with the duty of looking
after the public interest can solemnly obligate themselves and the body
of which they are constituent members to purchase certain stipulate
property adjoining certain other property is something beyond my com pre-
hension. I refuse to give my indorsement to such an obligation.

2nd. The proposition submitted and which by your action you accep-
ted provided that the city must pass a suitable ordinance prohibiting the
peddling and the delivery, within the city limits, of vegetables, fruits,
meats, fish and other perishable products on the streets of Fort Worth
from 12 Midnight until 9:30 A. M. each day. It provides that any one
who may establish a regular place of business may sell from such place
of business within the prohibited hours, but does not provide that they
may deliver except within their place of business during said time.
It further provides that all persons having a regular place