The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-10

! SO. 1 think the people are beginning to
want street improvements. Experience
shows good streets to be a good invest
ment."
SEWAGE SYSTEM MUST
BE GREATLY ENLARGED.
Sewer Commissioner Hermann contem-
plates improvements to public sewers in the
downtown district. Most of these sewers
are old and superficial; they are so near
the surface as to be practically useless for
the big office buildings and other ediices
he believes he has the support OF many
business men.
There are now 4Ss miles OF sewers equiv
Cleveland. o.. with 1900 inlets and 400
manholes. His cleaning staff comprises
only thirty-twO men and necessarily the
repair and cleaning force will have to be
increased.
The greatest need in my. department"
Mr.. Hermann stated. lis public sewers to
furnish turn outlets for the Drainage Of the fs,, dis
owing to lack of funds, and we will have to
do much work In the next few years. Next
to cost s2s2. co.,; enlarge six public sewers.
sS8.OOO; repair old sewers. $4,000; build new
inlets. for the long blocks In the West End.
to prevent floods. $4,000; repair Mill Creek
sewer, So, coo; making a total cost for this
year for public sewer work of $474, 600. The
need of the six new public sewers will be
better understood when you know that the
failure of the city to complete this two and
one-quarter miles of work prevents the
drainage of sixty-four and one-half miles
OF district sewers. Property-owners pay
oring for the city to do it's duty and build
the public sewers.
MILLIONS REQUIRED FOR
PUBLIC SEWER WORK.
''In the following year. 1902. We should
spend s., 732 0O0 for public sewer work, ex-
OF this amount 81. coo. 600 should be used for
new public sewers, $4,000 for the repair Of
M NH Creek sever sew x,o s ooS toI .or TT the repair o,
average annual expense for sewers OF about
half a million dollars is not large; other
cities appropriate more than that regularly.
The growth of the city has been In adj
vance of sewer construction and improve
ments. The population is OVERLOOKING into
the valleys of the River des Peres. Harlem
Creek. Gingrass Creek and Glaize Creek.
and sewer construction must be arranged
accordingly. I should state in conclusion
that the question Of taking care OF the sew
to preserve the water of River des Peres
from pollution. Is a problem that will have
to be settled in a sanitary manner
IMPROVEMENTS MUST
MADE PERMANENT.
Park Commissioners Ridgely says that the
public would be served to advantage by sew
eral improvements in Forest Park. O'Fallon
Park and Carondelet Park. in addition to
the construction of Fairgrounds for small
children in most of the public places down.
He also advises that improvements to
be made in Forest. O'Fallon and Carondelet
parks be executed as permanent. Forest
Park needs new roads and bridges. The
roads should be good and durable. he says.
and the bridges ornamental and strong. The
large lake should be extended and the out
made graceful with lagoons and bay |
ous. Artistic wharves and bridges should be
in various places about the lake.
The glen in O'Fallon Park and the grotto |
In Carondelet Park, both natural beauty
spots, deserve some attention. He thinks
all the parks should be inclosed. Whatever |
other improvements he contemplates must
be carried out In accordance with Worlds
Fair plans and the amount of the appropri- |
alton to be allotted the department by the
city.
MIR. Ridgely is corresponding with we'll
known landscape gardeners and is obtain |
Ing a mass of information relative to the
most famous parks of the United States:
consequently. his plans are not yet matured.