The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-23
PATHS In GOOD SHAPE
ST. PAUL CYCLISTS ARE FORTU.
NATE THIS SPRING IN THAT
RESPECT
ALL TO BE FIXED THIS WEEK

ALL TO BE FIXED THIS WEEK
By Next Sunday All the Present
Paths VIII Have Been Gone Over
by the Path Mnkers-Assistant
City Engineer Wilson Talks of
Projected Cycle Routes GIibly-
Notes for WheeImen.
Now that winter has melted into sum-
mer. and the pulse of the wheelman beats
bit faster at the prospect Of getting
out on the paths he is interested in know
Ing what is to be done during the pres
ent season in the way of new construc-
tion What is to be done depends upon
the wheelmen themselves. We are start
ing out this season with something like
fifty miles of excellent pathways, which
will have been Overhauled and put in
shape for riding in fortnight. OF that
number fifteen miles were added last
year
The money was furnished by the city,
and in part by the small army of wheel
men and wheelwomen who use and en-
joy the paths. In the opinion of the Of
ficers of the st. Paul Cycle Path associa-
ton the work was all right as far as
1T went. but 1t stopped too soon The
trouble was not all the "bikers' contri-
buted. 1t is the belief that nearly eyery-
body who rides wheel is willing to SUBJ
scribe to the fund, but 1t is found rather
a tedious matter to get everybody to
ccme to the scratch.
Literature setting forth the beauty Of
the st. Paul path system, and the need
Of funds to improve and repair it. has
been sent broadcast this spring, and the
very favorable descriptive articles which
have been printed from time to time In
outside newspapers and magazines have
resulted In wide recognition of the
system, while the cycle path association
is admittedly one of the strongest in the
country.
Ihis year, therefore, we should accom-
plish much in the line of improving the
present paths. and. constructing new and
better ones. It's never too late to sub
scribe Those who failed last wear will
be gladly received when they add their
share to the fund now
IL. h. curtis, the treasurer of the as
SHOWS that $1,000 was subscribed last year.
and adds that he will be disappointed
II the figures do not reach Sc, 900 before
snow comes again in the fall He thinks
more people would bring in their dol
lars II their interest can be enlisted, and
he urges that in no better way can this
ne uone than by telling the people what
is to be done with their money.
George L. Wilson. assistant city engi-
neer, who is the superintendent of the
ASSOCIATION, is the man who has worked
lndefat1gably for good paths, and big
share of the credit belongs to him.
He agrees with Mr.. Curtis that Sc, 900
can and should be subscribed. That
amount. with what the city authorities
seem willing to do for the bicyclists. will.
according to 1.-The superintendent. add
something like fifteen miles to the system,
and will establish connection with a num-
Der of interesting paths outside the city
limits. Mr.. Wilson takes his pencil and,
pointing to- the city and county map
which hangs near his desk, takes you
with bewildering rapidity over paths.
present and prospective. until you can al
most fancy you see the trees rushing
past, and hear the wind whistling through
your Spokes.
First he tells you that the paths on
Martin, Dale and University are already
in fair condition. also thosef on Summit,
and Lexington, Other paths, have been
overhauled, including those on Cleveland
avenue, West Seventh Hastings ave-
nue. and Sixth street, on Daytons bluff,
and the path in West st. Paul. So much.
for the system as 1t stands, including all
the city paths and those to White Bear
lake and South st. Paul
Then Mr.. Wilson whisks off again, and
in q second is at the corner Of University
and Dale. Before you lies three-quarters
nf q mill noln
versity and Como avenues. This he re-
CARDS as a very necessary connection be-
tween the Como and University paths,
and bids have been received for the work,
which will take thirty days to complete
Here's a second trip, and the wheelmen
who live on or near the Grand avenue
line will be interested in it.
Some time ago bids were asked on a
path running on Pleasant avenue, from
West Third street to the foot of the Oak
land grade. They were not quite salts
factory. This path will be short run On
a very pretty street, and will be a well
come addition to the system.
Now those who ride longer distances
will be interested in knowing that If the
funds come in as they should the work
of putting In shape the paths to South St.
Paul, with an extension to Highwood
and the White Bear path, will be begun
without delay.
Then Mr. Wilson puts his pencil at the
end of the White Bear path and one in-
ger on the Interstate park at Taylor's
Falls, and, viewing the chain of lakes
between the two points, smiles at the
prospect
A century run, he calls it, from St. Paul
via Phalen, White Bear, Bald Eagle, For
est lake and the Chisago lakes to Taylor's
Falls and return, through a beautiful
country. This path can be built and will
be. If the wheelmen take hold of the plan
in the right spirit, and a much more
beautiful run can hardly be pictured in
this section Of the country The distance
to Taylor's Falls is about fifty miles.
At present there is good path between
Saltwater and Lake Elmo
1t Is the intention. always depending
upon the way the funds come in, to build
path from White Bear avenue, on East
Seventh street along the old Saltwater
road to Elmo. a distance of some seven
miles. there to meet the Saltwater path
Other new constructions will include the
gap on Cleveland avenue, between Sum-
NIT and Fort Smelling, left unfinished at
the end Of last season. If the work in
contemplation, as roughly outlined here,
can be accomplished ST. Paul wheelmen
may be proud of their system.
1t compares very well at present with
the progress being made in other cities.
~ AHoiiilalu tiiiS IepuldtlOn II seems The
wheel lovers should do their utmost to
cooperate with the officers of the asso-
ciation who have labored hard and long
for the results already achieved.
This year high grade Columbia wheel
has been offered as an incentive, and will
be given to the man who brings in the
largest number of subscriptions by the
lst of July. Other prizes will be given.
Mr.. Wilson is an enthusiastic wheelman
and hard worker. So is Mr. Curtis and