The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-23


of the property owners affected to devise
method by which the work could be salts
factorily handled by private contract, with
provisions insuring an equitable dlstrlbu-
ton of the expense. The abutting owners,
take it, purchased with view to a profit
able advance. and in no other way could
such an object be so we'll and SO quickly as
sured.
The entire expense could no doubt be kept
within twelve dollars per front foot. Prop
erty now having market value OF *aO a
foot would ,as consequence of the improve
and by the general influence of an increase
of population of perhaps five thousand to
the CITY. as result directly and indirectly
of the execution of the work reach ready
disposition of double the amount. There
is no possible room for argument on this
question because the points involved have
been fought over in all eastern cities with
but one issue. After bitter legal contest
with stubborn owners. the streets of st.
Louis were converted from the condition of
country lanes into what they now are. An
era of general improvement followed. An
expenditure of about eight millions for
granite pavements added hundred mil
lions to the value of real estate bordering
thereon. Property quickly went up, IN some
cases from value of $500 to $1,000 front
foot and in no single instance was the cost
of the assessment not returned many times.
Sidewalks.
The sidewalks of Helena are an eyesore,
and would ruin the reputation of Hotten-
tot village. A stranger using them is aston
ished to discover that he is not walking in
front of Piegan Teepes, as might reason
ably be supposed, but elegant and spacious
modern residences and business blocks. If
{1rv, ln nf
disgrace, in the past tense, the sense of sat
isfaction would be complete. Happily the
feeling has been growing that thorough
reform should be instituted, and it is my
belief that it has assumed such degree of
may be an early anticipation. This should
be complete, and based on plan which will
not only insure uniformity throughout the
city, but embrace within it facilities for the
planting of shade trees. 1t is my recon-
mendation that, making due allowance for
the variance in widths of streets. the curb
line be extended at least twelve feet in dis
lance from the limits of private ownership
This will allow ample space for the pas
sage of pedestrians and also provide room
for trees placed at a safe distance from the
curb
Another advantage not yet fully appreci,,
ated is that the roadway will be narrowed
to degree that will admit of an economl.
cal system of street paving. I am we'll
aware that the popular feeling is in favor Of
a wider driveway. This is an hereditary &C
quirement born of the abundance of grouno
usually of little value when the plating was
done. That this liberality of dedication ii
not an essential is shown bv comparison
with streets in European capitals and il
many cities of this country. The fact that
the Toledo in Naples and Coso in Rome are
not any wider than Main street in its mar
rowest point, does not prevent then
from being famous thoroughfares:: Some
of the streets of st. Louis, on which bust
ness to the extent of millions upon millions
is annually done, are only twenty-five fee
between curbs. A little reflection will dem
onstrate that it is better to have drivewa.,
of width confined to tho necessities, wei
paved and kept sprinkled and clean, than {
vast expanse of waste ground marked only
by the meanderings of a dusty wagon trail
It is. of course, understood that the stree
widths of Helena are fixed, and perhaps no
on scale too liberal. but the space SHOULD
be divided in conformity with modern ane
tasteful ideas.