The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-25
A Few of Our Needs.
press.

Rapid growth and Astounding pros
perity bring responsibilities and bur
dens as well as profits So it is that
Seattle finds herself in need Of good
many of the improvements. perhaps
they should rather be called necessaries,
that belong to any well-appointed city.
1t is not many years since pro-
posais for work OF this sort met
with cold reception, because people
were not in condition to meet the cost
of 1t comfortably. 1t is very different
now; but that old neglect, when the city
became In many respects sipshod and
down at the heel, calls for extra interest
and activity.
A series of resolutions presented In
the Chamber of Commerce and now be-
fore its committee for investigation
gives list of our most imperative re-
quirements and it is not short one.
More than half Of them relate to the
condition OF our streets, which the most
ardent lover of Seattle cannot describe
as other than disgraceful. There are
miles upon miles OF grading that should
be done and must be done before other
necessary improvements are completed.
In the business section plank surfaces
should not be tolerated either on streets
or sidewalks. We doubt II there is
city in the country of the size of this
with so small an amount of stone or
concrete walks. AS for pavements,
miles Of them need to be laid; and only
the best material placed on a perma-
nent cement foundation. should be con-
sldered.
on all the residence streets there
should be thorough cleaning up and
the beginning Of a reign Of beauty. 4
/ narrow driveway In the center with
/ parkways or boulevards on either side.
/ is the system approved for the districts
/ OF Eastern cities where handsome homes
are 10 be found. one reason why Sc
I attic has not residence section" So
[ called. is because there Is none where
I all the streets are so improved as to
invite home-buidlng. There Is no city
! that can boast as many choice locations
I for dwelling house purposes. We need
10 set ourselves at work to make the
/ most OF these natural resources. Finish
1 the grades. clear away the weeds and
rubbish, cut down overhanging banks
/ and build retaining walls. Let US make
I Seattle as beautiful as nature intended
her to DO, instead Of witness Of In
! difference and neglect.
The other recommendation % the
+ chamber are equally practical In con
J cspilon and adapted to promote the best
( interests 81 the city. The Post-Intelli-
gcnccr has directed attention 10 the
/ dlsgraceful lack Of street names and the
confusion Of house numbers. 80 utterly
wanting are we IN these respects that
F even the postal authorities will ne; fur
+ nish the additional carriers Necessary
unul We set our house 10 order Street
names should be AT every corner; on the
+ street lamps where there are any. plain
. IS attached 10 houses OF trees or fences
( To- the more distant regions. And the
whole scheme os house numbering
should DE- overhauled and put into re
/ sqectabla SHAPE
+ The unsightly booths and shacks that
[ are permitted 60 deface our principal
+ business streets should De removed. The
hre limits should be extended to con-
( form with the increase in building and
business and the added danger In the
/ city's center. That the forms of vice
+ which cannot be eliminated should he
confined strictly within limited and
designated area. and that the police
force should be made adequate in all
respects to the dimcult work that It
has 20 perform go without saying
All Of these are matters Of as much