The San Francisco call., 1896-06-04
" MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS. +"

1t NAV be laid down as proposition i'm
possible of refutation that what is
lightly termed municipal improve
ments" by manv careless thinkers in
this City is the most momentous prob
lem that can confront any commun-
ity. The idea that all the people need
do in order to secure beautifully
paved streets, perennially green parks
clean and sweet-smelling sewers and the
other things which make life in a city
jocund affair, is to appropriate a
large sum of money to the various
City Hall funds, is unworthy any ma
ture mind. Indeed, it is probably
proposition almost as irrefutable
as the one first stated that good way not
TO get the blessings referred to is to ap-
propriate large sum of money without
ascertaining in advance exactly how it is
going to be spent.
Municipal improvement in the sense
of clean, weil-paved streets, perfect sewers
and be autiful parks is undoubtedly much
to be desired. By having these things a
city makes itself desirable place OF
residence. By making itself a de-
sirable place of residence it attracts
people. As city without people
would be comical affair." so city that
has great many people Is serious affair.
In short, cities are made up of people, and
those cities are the healthiest the great
est and the richest which by affording fine
municipal improvements" induce the
largest number of people TO live in them.
There are other reasons for the assertion
that good system of municipal improve
ments" ought to be and always is the aim
of every civilized community; but the
single reason that common prudence and
a regard for the welfare of its citizens
dictate that every community should
give its first attention to those things
is sufficient. And this brings us to
the point, viz: Can San Francisco
boast of good system of public improve
ments2 Are her streets well paved are
her sewers clean, and do her parks all bask
in the beautiful green of orr continual
summer? The answer is, of course, No.
What, then, shall be done to bring about
the municipal millennium upon which
those who talk loosely of improvements
are so fond of descanting?
1t is not difficult TO imagine that the
political clubs will shout, with one voice:
"Give US the money and we will arrange
the matter for you instantly" And no
doubt they would. Ten millions in gold
would not repaye the accepted streets were
the work left to the City Hall and politi-
cal clubs. Twice ten millions would not
provide the City with a sewer system if
the workmen were to come from the same
quarter. Nor would this be because all
the men at the City Hall and in the
political clubs are dishonest. There is
no occasion to make any such charge,
even if it were in part true. The money
would be wasted, if so appropriated,
mainly because there is no scientific plan
in pursuance of which to expend it.
1t is not too much 10 say that until such
plan is drawn and submitted to the peo-
pie as basis for future operations, not
one single dollar, except the few that are
necessary to keep the streets passable and
the sewers open, should be appropriated.
To attack the accepted streets on any
other basis than complete regeneration is
idle; 10 attempt to repair sewers which
were never built in accordance with a sys-
tenn is waste of time and money. But,
it NAV be asked, How are the people Of
San Francisco to secure a plan of
municipal improvements" upon which
it will be safe to risk some of
their money? The source from which
plans must be devised is, of course, the
Board of Supervisors. When it is consid-
cred that the accepted streets and sewers
cannot go much longer without causing
mutiny in this City, and also that the
Supervisors who are to be elected this
year may be finally compelled to under
take plan of municipal improvement,
the i'm portance to the taxpayers of look
ing after that arm of the City government
becomes readily apparent. In fact, there
is nothing more important to this City in
the coming election than the personnel of
the next Board of Supervisors.