Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-17
HAS MADECHICAGO,
importance Of Keeping up APP.
pearances.
As ROCK BLAND Is DOING

0atward Improvements Now Esssntial
to Complete the Advantages Ct This
Looauty-PIeasant Phases Are Attr.e.
tive.
A Kansas City paper which is ad-
vocating the extension OF public i'm. !
in that city, has fur
nished an analysis of the elements
which have contributed to Chicago's
true greatness, in which in enumer-
ating the advantages in this direc-
tion it is said:
1T is not an old city, but in the
matter Of parks, driveways, boule-
wards and other improvements that
contribute to the comfort and pleas
ure Of the people, it is far in advance
of other towns that are older, and
the fact that it is making more rapid
progress in the race for leadership
than its rivals is no doubt attribute
BILE to that fact. A city which is
pleasant to live in is certain to grow,
for, other things being equal. sensi-
BILE people are sure to select such q
place for their homes.
"Chicsgo owes something, no doubt.
to its location on the shore of Lake
Michigan, and Is indebted in q meas.
ure to the fact that it has long been
the undisputed metropolis Of the
great west, the marvellous resources
Of which formed the basis Of a vast
commercial structure. But the en-.
ergy. the industry. and the sagacity
Of the men and women who have
guided its progress and shaped its
destiny have had much to do with
its grand achievements. The moss
backs who retard the progress of
other cities have no influence in Chi
cago. The knockers and croakers who
oppose parks and fine streets, and
magnificent avenues we're run down
early in the life of that city, and the
result is that today Chicago not only
has the largest park area, but the
greatest number and most hand
somely adorned parks of any city in
this country. 1t is not surprising.
therefore, that it also has the large 1t
population Of any city in the United
States. except greater New York.
and that its growth has been unpre-
cedented in rapidity and regularity
in the history Of the worlds munich
palities.
The Advantages Here.
There is no one familiar with the
development that has taken pace in
Rock Island in the past few years
who fails to realize the important
part that public improvements have
played. The park system so far
established has been the envy OF
other cities. and has carried the name
of Rock Island far and wide. So, too,
have the paved streets, boulevards
and graded sidewalks. But while
we have gone ahead here with these
internal improvements, we have neg
lected the outward appearance.
Much as it is true to the contrary in
this instance, yet people are as apt
to interpret it q sham to q city
which. no matter how greatly II
beauties in one respect, il it neg.
lects in another. The Improvements
should not be confined to the inter.
Tor. They should appear ON the
outer edges, lest the wayfarer who
heads this way has his notions q
formed by the appearances viii, b
first greet his eye as to deter HIN
from coming further. This applies
to the river front aud the outskirts
OF the city. The levee should be i'm.
proved. and then the park and boule
ward system such As will give to the
surrounding country the advantages
that We enjoy in the city. Until ,
brosder scope of improvement Il
adopted, such as is outlined in tn,
river front and park and boule vart
projects, Rock Island will fail to d.
Justice to herself.