The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-01
MORE GOOD STREETS.

Not long ago the visitor derded st. Louis for the
city's utter disregard of street improvements The
metropolis of the South notorious for its wretche
muddy thoroughfares. "St. Louis is black city,
the observer would say Torrents Of dirt rain down
from chimneys the soft coal breathes pail the
city: the drinking water is saturated mud uninl-
proved roads. ugly with thick coats of oamlike earth
mar the cys appearance and The loose dirt stirred
by the gentlest wind defes everything within ac-
cess
But conditions have been changed. Notable prog
ress has been made in amelioratng the smoke nui-
sance There is desire and there is an activity in
favor Of clearer water. Not the least among the
tua improvements Is the reconstruction in years
of about seventy-fve miles Of street
Usually street improvements the first step in
advancement. They the first because they a
visible investment: when made they inspiration
for other improvements Witnessing the benefits Of
good streets citizens pleased and become only
willing but eager for prosecution OF other important
public work Instead of dirt roads the ruin of clothes
and fixtures. there are clean pavements which look
attractive. afford convenience and pleasure and assure
against unnecessary damage property and apparel
Good streets have the virtue of being beneficial
cry direction
The municipal administration promptly drew up
plans two years ago for extensive street improve
ments and promptly started the work At worst
the officials estimated completing. an average
not less than twenty-five miles year. Had the or
sanic law been helpful the average would hav. been
much higher Yet twenty-five miles of reconstruction
per year is not bad record for city that previously
at best. could exceed twelve and half miles
year.
Action for reform Is We'll founded now. Before an
other summer passes more than seventy-ive miles of
street will have been reconstructed Fifty miles have
been improved in the first of this admnistra
the city in proper shape it would be long before all
Of The streets would be paved However. there is
doubt that the yearly average will be considerably
augmented for the next season and the next after
that st. Louis can look forward therefore, TO a com
plete array of good. clean thoroughfares.
Judgment too, has been exercised in the prepara
tion Of plans. The work is being carried along
systematic lines: it could be done successfully in
other manner. Downtown streets that require treat
ment receiving the first attention. as to have
the whole central district In presenable condition
soon as possible The principal streets in residence
localities receiving immediate consideration also
The purpose OF the administration is to have all of
the streets IN the heart OF the city paved connect
the North and South sides by good roads downtown
and in the West End: to have clean from the
river to the western limits through the of the
city; in brief to make all parts Of the city easily
cessble by conveyance. The map published last week
by The Republic showed how thorough are the plans
for this work. The most important improvements
have been finished and the work that will be done
this will go far toward realization Of the gen.
eral idea.
Without good streets city cannot be inviting
clean. Disgust and extravaganza the penalties of
bad streets. St Louis has made an excellent begin
ming in improving thOroughfares. and the progressive
administration should have the earnest encourage
ment of all citizens in carrying its plans Once
all Of the streets paved the people will appre-
ciate the pleasure and economy of public improve
mpntS