Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-14
STREET IMPROVEMENT.
LARGE MEETING OF CITIZENS INTER
ESTED IN THE SUBJECT.
Mr.. Rays Proposed scheme-The Wash
ington System of Narrow Road
ways and Low Cost.

the Superior Court was filed to its fullest
capacity last evening by prominent citizens
and property-owners to consider the mat
ter of improving the streets of this city.
The meeting was held under the auspices
of the Improvement Association, and was
presided over by President Luhrs of that
BODY, c. W. Baker acting as Secretary
Among those present were Mayor
Gregory, G. w. Hancock, John Blair, c. H.
Cummings. P A. Miller, w. F. Knox, E.
K. Alsip, s. H Gerrish, Peter Newman, Spar
row Smith, f. E. Ray, s. E. Darlington, G.
Wittenbrock, John hatcher, A. C. Sweetser,
E. Twitchell, DIR. G. L. Simmons, w. w.
Light, Dr. a. E. Bruue, w. D. Comstock,
F. D. Ryan, Edgar Carroll, Edwin F. Smith,
F. NJ. Shields, Daniel Flint, E. A. Crouch,
D. A. Lindley, George Murray, P E. Plat,
J. TIiechIer H. Roth, DR.. ]. r. Laine,
James Senate, Z. l. Robinson, C. F. Atkin-
son, Siller Bros, E J. Croley, w. II. Tryon,
]. c. Pierson. S. S. Southworth, ]. o. Cole
man, H. A. Gardner, L. L. Lewis, ]. w.
Klees Matt Johnson Dugald Gillis, Jos.
Wiseman, F. w. Biewener, T. Eilers, DR..
Parkinson, E. F. Aiken. A Abbott, A.
Hebron. o. W. Erlewine, T. D. SERVER,
f. r. Dray. E. A Burr, E F. Taylor, B.
Leonard, II. B. Nielsen, Fred. Mason, w.
@. Fitch and others.
F. E. Ray, being called upon, explained
the plans proposed for general system of
street Improvement. THE plan has al
ready been explained in these columns
In response to questions asked Mr.. Ray it
was proposed to place at least foot of good
gravel ON the streets. He had assurance
of an opportunity to get all the gravel re-
quired. If tirst-class material were used it
would, of course, cost more than if cheaper
material should be employed. He could
give no estimate now as to what would be
the cost to improve street in front of a
forty or eighty. foot lot, as everything de-
pended on what quality of material was to
be used. If first class, The cost would be
30 per cent. less than what is now charged
for ordinary material. All the property
owners with whom he had talked on the
subject seemed to be heartily in favor of
the project. He thought it possible to have
passably good streets here in this city, if
not the very best. The opportunity was
now offered to have this work done at
lower prices, if the property owners would
stand in.
NARROW STREETS AND BROADER WALKS.
S. e. Darlington, who spent last summer
in the East, and who was known to have
some suggestions to offer on methods of
street improvement and beautifying, based
on his observations in Washington and
other cities, was called upon to address
the meeting, the following being synopsis
of his remarks:
Washington is quite commonly referred
to as The Paris of America and it is en-
titled to this characterization. 1t is not
only the most beautiful city in the Union,
but is fast becoming great literary, as well
as aristocratic center. Men of letters and of
wealth are congregatiDg there and building
beautiful mansions, where they enjoy the
most finely paved, beautifully parked and
shaded streets anywhere to be found, and
where in addition they can also enjoy the
Court society" of democratic America.
The change that has taken place in the
of the Capital City since 1870 is
simply marvellous, and those who were
familiar with its wide, unpayed and nearly
shadeless streets at that time, can now find
few points that recall the past or are
r. cognizable. Twenty years ago the city in
summer was one of the hottest and most
places to be found in the United
States and avarvhndv who appeared upon
me streets during the "heatedternl'' carried
sn umbrella as matter of comfort IS wei
as precaution against being overcome with
the heat.
Now this is all changed and q visit there
of several weeks during the past summer
proved that Washington has been so trans
formed under the hand of manor as may
be more correctly said. under the skilltul
work and indomitable energy of Boss
Sheppard" that ii is now most delightful
place in which to reside, even In the sum-
mer. The manner in which this trans
formation was effected is matter of practi
cal interest to Sacramentans.
Soon after the close of the war Senator
John Sherman had K street, adjoining his
residence, parked out from the side dis
tance of several feet from the former curb,
and q second row of shade trees planted
along the outer edge. In three or four
years the beautiful wide lawn outside the
walk and the four rows OF trees extending
along the street attracted general attention
and admiration, and when the era of i'm
provement set in, which has made Wash
ington famous, authority was obtained
from Congress to thus narrow and park all
streets of the city, except those where full
width was required for business or other
purposes. This plan was very generally
carried out, and made possible aud sue
cessful the grand improvements that were
inaugurated under Mr.. Shephard's admin
issration.
The results and benefits effected by mar
rowing the streets were almost incalcula-
Bile. In many instances from half to two
thirds the cost of paving the street was
saved. The lawn afforded in front of resi-
dences made property doubly attractive
and valuable, while the additional rows of
trees made the walks and road Gays de-
lightfully shady, very greatly modifying
the temperature in summer and giving to
the residence portion of the city the ap-
pearance of an immense beautiful grove
studded with charming residences.
1t is claimed by the District authorities
at Washington that the reduction of the
width of the streets was the key to the
whole situation and to the success made in
improvements, on account of the enor-
nous saving made in paving and the oppor-
tunity it afforded of beauufying with the
continuous lawns outside the walks on
either side OF the street, and making the
city rich with shade from the endless vari-
ETY. of trees and foliage which are forming
archways over the noiseless asphaltum
rosdbeds beneath.
What has been thus accomplished to
make Washington beautiful can be accom-
plished in the same manner and far more
successfully in Sacramento and in much
less space of time. There is far less need
of wide driveways in the residence por-
tions Of this city than in Washington. We
can beautify our streets with an endless
variety of semi-tropical ornamental trees,
palms, etc, none of which could stand the
winter climate of Washington, where the
mercury frequently goes down to zero.
The growth of trees can be obtained here
also in about one-half the time required
for the same in Washington, by reason of
our lone eer seasons and the forcing quality
of our climate and soil.
What Washington can enjoy in the way
of flowers and foliage during its warm
months, Sacramento can with far greater
profusion enjoy the entire year. In a
word. Sacramento has natural advantages
which will enable US to make it more BEAU
tiful and attractive than the national capi-