The Bessemer indicator., 1894-04-21
ACROSS A CONTINENT.
EXTRAORDINARY PROPOSITION
OF A NEW YORKER.
A boulevard From New York to ssn
Francisco. Ono Hundred Feet Wide,
and with Flowers and Trsss-To Give
Work to the Unemployed.

1
Work to the Unemployed.
The proposition to construct
transcontinental boulevard to extend
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean,
which was made by me several
weeks, ago had for one OF its objects
the furnishing OF employment to the
vast army OF the unemployed men In
the United States. Such boulevard
is neither Utopian nor chimerical, %
some critics seem to term 1t, writes
DR.. J. 4. Magic in the New York
World. but it is practical and would
prove OF incalculable benefit to
the country II constructed.
While q gigantic work OF this kind
might not relieve the distress OF ell
workingmen, yet it would relieve a
large percentage of the most noedy
Of the laboring element, especially
mechanics, and would aid in stimuln-
ting other trades and industries that
appear to be prostrated at the present
time.
The building OF the transcontinen-
tai boulevard, extending from tho
Atlantic to the Pacific, appears to be
as necessary in the develop
ment of the hidden wealth OF
the country and its resources. in the
settlement Of its unoccupied public
domain, the transportation OF its
products, the establishment OF free
intercourse between the states and
the improvement OF the commerce OF
the inland states rs 1t is to build
vessels of war to protect the com-
merce OF the United States with for
eign governments.
Iwould like to SEQ grand boule-
ward of 100 feet in width, with a
space OF about twenty feet In the
middle. If deemed necessary. for
sewers or drainage pipes. telegraph
wires, electric wires. water pipes.
etc. Here l would plant grass.
flower beds. shrubbery, etc, with
the botanical names appended. which
are indigenous to the section through
which the boulevard would pass
would build a twenty-five foot side
walk on each side OF the boulevard.
with double row OF handsome shade
trees
1t would also add to tho splendor
OF the boulevard II 1t were en-
Dellished with statuary representing G
the foremost men or events or char
acteristics Of the country. Artistic
water-tanks, troughs and fountains
could be erected at stated places. In
harmony with the surroundings
Many of these would be donated by
societies representing the industries
OF the country, its trades, mechanics,
arts and professions, and by wealthy
families as memorials to some philan-
thropist These fountains, etc., for
vhe thirsty man and beast, might be
placed in circles where other roads
would probably intersect them. or at
other convenient locations. Provis-
Ion should also be made for the
thorough drainage in wet weather OF
the surface and roadbed at suitable
places. and the roadway ought to be
crowned sufficiently to shed water.
A boulevard OF the description I
mentioned would. believe. be the
admiration Of the civilized world
and would afford the nations OF
Europe an example OF the progress
and enterprise OF the citizens OF this
great republic. think there can be
no doubt OF the financial success OF
such an undertaking. II built In an
ornate and substantial manner.
Money would be freely invested In
land facing this beautiful and
lengthy driveway. and taxes on the
property and licenses for business
purposes would pay for the expendi-
ture OF keeping it in order. repair
and police protection. The boule-
ward should be restricted against
nuisances and other harmful condi-
tions and industries which might en-
danger the health and comfort Of the
residents
Good roads save time and money
to the farmer or producer. aud con-
, sequently make his profits larger.
When roads are soft and in such a
condition that they are almost i'm
passable, as is observed almost every
,, where throughout the United States
at certain seasons OF the year. the
loads carried must be much smaller,
, probably from one-half to q quarter
Of the weight depending on the
character or badness Of the roads)
and the transit must necessarily be
much slower than II the roads were
in good condition and properly con-
structed. This adds greatly TO the
expense OF transportation. and conse-
quently lessons the profits OF the
: producer.
4 Farming, on account OF the ex'
pense Of transportation, becomes
> less profitable, and on this account
|, the value of farm land Is deprecated
i as there is consequently less demand
for IL. With better roads In this
, country there woul1 be better facili-
ties for social intercourse in the
7 country districts, and the schools
and churches would be better at
i tended.
The expense OF constructing thii
transcontinenta boulevard ought *
be borne by the states through which
3 It may pass. rs they will be the mos
benefited by it. II these states ar'
not financially able to build the reat
then the cession OF . strip Of land o
q certain width to the United State
I would be suggested, and the govern
y ment then could construct . nationa
r boulevard, as 1t has constructed
!. national park. with the necossar.
l restrictions against nuisances. dtl
!. the power and privilege Of disposinI
i OF lands. facing It. collecting taxes
8 imposing licenses for business pur
u poses and adopting any other mean
e it may deem ut for its msintenanc
and care.