Evening journal., 1892-03-23
ITO FEEL THE PULSE
A Delaware Avenue Scheme Made
Public.

fuDtlCs
20 widen the Driveway Ten Feet De-
.troy the shade Trees and Make the
Pavements Narrower Residents Indig-
nant.
The Board of Street and Sewer Com
missloners have raised storm Of indig-
nation by expressing a purpose OF widen
ing the road bed Of Delaware avenue from
Tstnall to Union streets, ten feet, by |
taking i've feet from the pavement on |
each aide. sPo do this It would be neces-
sary to uproot the outer row OF handsome
shade trees.
This expressinn of purpose was simply
made to feel the pulse Of the people, and
by this time 1t has bssn found to be very
feverish, especially where the word
''people" plies to those living on the
avenue.
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.
The commissioners met last night and
formally inaugurated the matter in con-
nection with the proposed improvements
to the avenue under the $500, 900 borrow
ing act. First, It was decided to begin
the work of improving the avenue on the
first of May.
The ideas OF the commissioners then
became centered upon the widening OF
the avenue between tae p5ints above dss
ignated. The proposition met with
unanimous approval The estimated cost
was placed 30 $4,000 exclu-
sive Of the 5000 which the
street railway company will expend In
putting new rails and other improve
ments. The commissioners want drive
way on each side OF the street, paved
with fre-brlck, and the street car com
pany will FOOT part Of the cost.
Delaware avenue is 20 feet from one
building line to the other. From one
curo to the other is only S4i feet. The
distance space from one curb to the
track is only 10 feet.
Market and King streets have a build
ing line width of 65l feet and a curb-line
width Of 40 feet. This is 81 feet greater
than on Delaware avenue. BY the plan
proposed the driveway on each side of
the track will be fifteen feet wide
SHADE TREES SACRIFICED.
One OF the most deplorsble features of
the innovation will be the destruction of
the outer row of shade trees on each side
Of this popular promenade, and that
seems TO be the feature against
whish there is so much railing
The change would leave the pavements
as wide as those on Market street, but
the beautiful effect Of the two evergreen
arches on each side would be destroyed
It is now q question between beauty and
a good drive and perfect grade.
AFEw OPINIONS EXPRESSED.
This morning Commissioner Joseph L.
Carpenter was interviewed He said
1T has not been decided upon but it is
the sense of the board. We simply did
it to get the sense Of the people There
have been number OF persons opposed
to it here to see me this morning"
How do the Delaware avenue people
stand2"
"oh, they are opposed TO it, so far as l
know"
City Auditor Billainy-'I think it is
an outrage. The trees are what beautify
the avenue. should think the papers
should denounce it. There Is more
walking on the avenue than there is
driving. Wide pavements are what We
want
City Treasurer A1ams-"I think the
money could be spent much more adYan-
tageously."
City Tax Collector Mitchell-"It would
make a nice thoroughfare, but would
rather see Tenth street widened from
Istnell TO Market. Have the people who
planted these trovs M rightsf'
Councilman Celton ? -.Tha cbanga
would be most excellent one. 1 AN
gratifed that they are going to
do 1t. My impression is that it
Is the thoroughfare to the north.
west part OF the city. and taken
in connection with Pennsylvania avenue
add the park, it is the most important
avenue in this city. The trees ars too
thick in many places, especially along
the ce netery."
Clerk Of the Orphans Court McWhor
teri think it is an outrage upon the
citizens. They should get out an iDjuuc-
tion. Why don't they buy Delaware
avenue Baptist Church and open and
widen Tenth street to Market2"
Frances Hoffecker-"I should hate to
the shade trees destroyed, but the
public generally would be benefited"
Deputy Attorney General Davis-''I am
not in favor Of It. II is unnecessary ex-
travagance. They should widen Tenth
from Tatnail to Market street. The propo
sition would destroy the beauty OF the
avenue"
George G.. Brown-'My impression is
that It would be a good thing l have
not thought much about IL.
Philip O. Churchman-"l IL would spoil
the walk aud cut off the trees. There is
more walking than driving on the
avenue"
William Michael Byrne-"I think it
would be very good thing. owing to the
improvements to transportation There
should be more room for driveways."
OTHER BUSINESS DONE
The other business done by the board
last night was unlmportant in its char.
acter. petition In relation to the
opening Of Eleventh street from Madison
to Adams street and Trenton Place and
Monroe through to Eleventh, was read
aud referred TO Council
The secretary was ordered to call the
attention Of the building inspector tc
the dangerous condition of.lthe Lewis
building owned by the Knights Of Golden
Eagle
The attention of the Board Of Health
was called to the filthy condition of the
alley In the rear Of the HeRld Building.
The bids for the Webb street brick
sewer, 13O feet long, seven fee in diane.
ter were opened. The contract was
awarded to John Jacoby for 500 80 per
lineal foot
The engineer was given orders to ask