The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-16
OPEN Lawrence STREET.
An Important Question on Which
the City Council Should
Take EARLY Action.
The Artesian Well Fund Not Yet
Large Enough to Justify
Beginning Work.
An Eastern Broker Points Out the Ad-
vantages Helena Has Over Denver
Long Ground Leases Plan.

About six weeks ago a petition was pre-
sented to the city council asking that Law
renee street be opened. The petitioners
who are property owners, representing $50
feet of ground, agreed, if the city woult
pay one-third Of the expense, those inter
ested would nay two-thirds, it being esti-
mated that the total cost would be SCI, 00O
This ia for seventy feet of ground, which il
will be necessary to buy. In addition the
city 10 to pay for the grading. Several
wears ago Sixth avenue was opened, the city
paying 81, 800 for the ground, and the ex-
psnses of the grading. On Lawrence the
cost of the latter will be less than on Sixth,
while the price paid for the property con-
demned will be no more in proportion. The
plan 10 to have the land needed CONDEMNED
by the district court. Among the signers
Of the petition are the heaviest taxpayers in
the city. while the school trustees, realizing
she great benefit the improvement would be
to school interests, all added their names to
the paper.
Certainly it seems if the work is ever 60
ing to be don't no more favorable time than
the present could be found. Tn property
needed will never be any lower in value and
will undoubtedly be much higher. Another
feature is that it is proposed to put the au-
ditorium and library building on the school
land. To make a good impression and to
have it easy of access Lawrence street
should be opened. The school trustees have
given the city a magnificent high school
building. Until Lawrence street is opened
there is nc direct approach to it from the
west side. An east and west ~thoroughfare
is needed, and by the opening of Lawrence
street this, too, will be accomplished. Next
year the city will want to present as good
an appearance as possible and it would
seem that unless there are insurmountable
difficulties in the way the city could do
nothing which would DO of greater benefit
to all classes, next to the paving of Main
street, than the opening of Lawrence street.
And if the work is to be done at all, now is
the time to undertake it.
The aztesian we'll fund now amounts to
$3.50. This is very good. but not enough
to justify going ahead with the work. If
the great benefits which would come from
a flow of artesian water in the Prickly Pear
valley were fully recognized it would seem
that the sum requisite would have been
raised long ago. A number of the enter
prislng men of the city have joined in the
enterprise, but some of the heaviest prop
erty owners, both in the city and county,
are still unrepresented. In reading the
list the remark is heard. "What's the mat
ter with So-and-So? He has a lot of land
in the valley and property in the city, and
is we'll able. Why don't he chip in?" Those
who nave not the cash can contribute land
and receive stock for it. No contracts will
be advertised for nor other arrangements
made till the kund reaches at least SlO,O 900,
This enterprise has been dragging along
now for three months. If there is any
spirit in the town by Monday evening the
fund will be raised. The subscribers and
the amounts contributed are as follows: