Letter from Town Clerk J. E. Perry to J. B. McCrary Company on Reduced Water Works Application

Synopsis

A typed letter (apparently a file copy) from Wedowee Town Clerk J. E. Perry to C. G. Shephard of the J. B. McCrary Company, a municipal-improvements engineering firm in Atlanta, concerning federal Public Works docket No. 4825 for a Wedowee water works. Perry explains that the federal government had turned down the town's project because it was too large for the revenue it would produce. The town then amended its application to $15,000 instead of the original $35,000; federal officials asked for an amended cost estimate and hinted the town might receive $20,000. Perry asks McCrary for help, noting that if construction costs could be cut to about $20,000 without much loss of income, and repayment shortened from 30 to 20 years, the government would likely accept. The back carries an abandoned first draft of the same letter, mentioning that McCrary's letter of the 25th was addressed to the Mayor. The letter documents the town's persistence in seeking New Deal financing for its first water system.

Key facts

• Concerns federal docket No. 4825, Wedowee water works
• Original application: $35,000; amended to $15,000
• Federal officials intimated a possible $20,000
• Proposed repayment cut from 30 years to 20 years
• Project initially rejected as too big for expected revenue

Wedowee, Alabama.
July 31- 1934.

Mr. C.G. Shephard,
J.B. McCrary, Company,
Atlanta, Ga.

In Re: Docket,4825,
Wedowee, Ala.

Dear Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 25-th in regard to waterworks for the Town of Wedowee, Ala.
As you know the Government turned down our project on the grounds that it was too big for the amount of revenue produced.
We amended our application for $ 15,000.00 instead of the original 35,000.00,then they called for an amended estimate of the work,and intimated that we might get $ 20,000.00,so if you know anything to do,or can help to get anything done about this matter hope you will help us to get it.
It seems that if the cost of the construction of the project can be reduced to about $ 20,000.00 without cutting down the income very much and reduce the time for payment to 20 years instead of 30 yrs, they will accept the proposition.
Yours truly ,
J.E.Perry
Clerk .

[Back:]
Wedowee, Alabama.
July 31 1934.
In reply to your letter of the 25-th(to the Mayor) in regard to the water works for Wedowee, Ala.
A you know the Government turned us down

Physical description

Unsigned typed copy (no handwritten signature); typing shows through from reverse; back holds an abandoned draft start; light edge soiling.

Reading notes

Initials of Shephard read as 'C.G.'; whether this is the sent original or a retained copy is unclear.