Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-14
VOICE pr THE EPEOPLE.
Some Rather Unique Ideas About City
Stfeet Establishment
Row Tf BEAUTIFY BARE POLES.
HstiOus Questions Discussed Briefly by
4 Interested Readers
IMPORTATION FOR EAGER INQUIRERs

10 the Editor OF The Dispatch:
1t is 20 be noticed that Philadelphia Councils
have passed a measure for beautifying the
streets by reserying space between the side
walks and roadway for grass and shade trees
Ptttsburg seems to be the one city that sticks
TO the antediluvian practice of improving
streets without providing further embellsh
ment.-Sunddy Dispatch, March 8.
Provide other embellishments indeed why
the municipality provides by neglect or by
positive action for the destruction OF such
beauty as citizens provide in their buildings,
lawns, etc.
Note telegraph poles, especially in the
East End, of which poles the fire alarm are
the meanest in appearance, both as to the
poles themselves and the way they are set.
Gaze along row of them and they will re-
mind you OF 4 gang of tipsy roisterers on
their way home after a shindy, single file
and staggering. This is the sort of plant
the city chueks down in front of fine private
improvements on weii-paved streets.
II the poles must be always with US, and
the underground cable a mere fancy, there
would be balm to outraged eyes. were the
powers that be on the third floor OF City
Hall and which have charge of the public
highways, to have bark tackled on said poles
in semblsnee Of tree trunks and grow ivy or
other hardy creeping plant thereon. Eh,
MIR. Commissioner how does this brilliant
floral inspiration strike you?
Your quick wit will take in, Mr.. Editor,
in the fraction of second that this plan OF
establishment would fill the interval while
the trees are growing, and at the same time
clcthe the poles for use thereafter without
diSGruptlement TO the esthetlc population. Re-
fre,hirg spires of green in spring and summer,
magnificent in vermiilion and rich browns in
autumn, and in winter fit subject for the
etcEer's art. Divide 6O-foot street thus:
Seven feet for each sidewalk, seven feet
each side for grass and tree plats and 81 feet
for roadway, and the effect would be greatly to
the benefit Of all concerned. This l suggest for
streets not regarded as main arteries of
travel" and more especially for those not yet
paved. Given this advantage, and the further
one of friedrich roadway. instead of that most
unsightly of colors, asphalt and the effect
would be bright and beautiful.
Note that sidewalks are, as a rule bad
wherever brick is used, and none is much worse
than that around the Diamond market houses
Brick is bad enough for sidewalks even when
newly laid, being of the capacity of sponge for
taking in Of moisture, and about the cussedest
material possible for letting it out when the
weather is frosty Why not firebricls? 1t does
not absorb moisture.
Note, that faSstone sidewalks in the East
End are cut up by private carriage entrances
to an extent that makes pedestrian effort much
like walking hurdle race. Now, on the side
walk pedestrians are entitled TO the frs con-
sideratiOu, but have observed only one place
in the East End where this is accorded namely,
in a stretch OF a couple OF hundred yards on
Neville street, near Center avenue. There the
property owners have made their carriage en-
frances to correspond in grade with the side
walk. There is no law permitting any other
way Of doing It. and now that there Is rapid
transit by street lines there is no occasion for
"Jhe rich who ride in chaises'' to impose upon
''the ponr who must walk" BELLE FIELD
PITTSBURG, March Is