Niles Daily Times, June 30, 1930.
Harry Chinnock issues statement, not as a commissioner
but as a private citizen, answering criticism for delay. Says
five claimants hold up viaduct progress.
“The people of Niles are familiar with the properties
involved, and are asked, “if they were in the position
of the commissioners, if they would pay out such exorbitant
demands from public funds”. The public in reaching the
estimate of damages should keep in mind that none of the property
is taken for bridge purposes”.
Read the claims that are still
unsettled: The properties involved are visible in the photograph
below.
Phoebe Nock, tax evaluation
$11,130, original claim $25,000; offered by the County Commissioners
in settlement, $5,500; still demanded $11,130.( John Andrews
Confectionary).
Rummell's
Pool hall, indicated by red arrow, was located on South Main
Street between West State Street and Water Street.
Ira Thomas, original
claim $15,000; offered by commissioners, $6,710; still demanded,
$15,00;(Joe Rummel’s pool room). Tax evaluation, $15,140.
Ellen Williams, original
claim, $8,820; offered by commissioners, $4,200; still demanded,
$8,280, (Dud Smith’s Tire Shop). Tax evaluation, $5,420.
William and Ruth
Near, original claim, $15,000; offered by commissioners,
$6,500; still demanded, $7,000; tax evaluation, $8,950; (Near
Self Service).
Amelia Bashur, original
claim, $35,000; offered by commissioners $7,500; still demanded,
$35,000; (A&P Store on 2nd and Main on south side of Mahoning
River). Tax evaluation $9200.
“Study these figures, take
a note of the property, and decide whether it is the County
Commissioners or property owners who have held up the Niles
Bridge Project. There has never been a time during all these
years that the damage claims insisted upon, would permit the
going on with the work.
Not only that, but the commissioners
and everyone in any way connected with the work have been subject
to bitter and unjustified criticism. This is why this plain
statement of facts has been made to the public. I, with the
others involved, have kept out of print and attempted no public
justification, but recent attacks through the press compels
us to give out the truth”. Homer E. Chinnock aka Harry
Chinnock. His name appears as one of the county commissioners
on the bronze plaque below labeled: PO2.409.