Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-10-24

HIST ORICA
SOCIETY.
GRAVEL BENSON AVENUE

GkAvEl bENSUM AVENUE
4 Movement to Secure Co. e.opsratlon Of
Great Northern Company for
ersveling Streets.
A movement has been inaugura1ed
for the graveling of Benson avenue,
at least that part of the avenue be-
tween Third and Fifth streets. The
movement is q very commendable ono
and II successful it is hoped that it
may result in the graveling of other
streets in the city which are almost
as we'll nigh impossible during heavy
rains as Benson avenue. The neces-
sary steps for the movement have
been made through petition which
was put into circulation among the
Taxpayers living On Benson avenue
and it is confidently expected that
many of our citizens will become
enough interested in the matter so that
our streets may be put into the de-
sired improved condition at an early
date. Several of the business men on
Benson avenue are pushing the pro-
ject very vigorously and the matter is
now being laid before the proper su-
thorities. The proposition from the
city is that the actual cost of loading
and unloading gravel will be borne
by the Taxpayers If the Great North
ern railway company will cooperate
In the matter of hauling the gravel to
this city. The large gravel pit at New
London which is being used by the
company for its road bed improve
ments contains inexhaustible supplies
OF gravel. The proposition is made
that the supply can be secured from
this source quite conveniently to be
used for the improvement of Will
mars streets, while the company's
work is in progress. It is thought
that the company will be willing to
assist in the m after as long as the nec-
essary expenses Of transferring the
gravel are guaranteed by the city.
Mayor Qvale, acting on behalf of
the city, has taken up the matter with
Supt. Bowen, who has in turn pre-
sented the same before the Great
Northern Co. The company is asked
to furnish an estimate of the cost per
yard to deliver the gravel at this
point. 1t will take something like 400
yards to improve that part of Benson
avenue between Third and Fifth Streets
An early reply is anxiously awaited
and in the meantime it Is understood
that the Taxpayers will be sufficiently
Interested to push the project to q sue
cessful termination.
While it is true that Willmar's
streets, especially Benson avenue,
have been improved from time to time
with such filling as could be had, yet
the result has never been satisfactory,
which is always very apparent after a
heavy rain and was especially notice.
able during the unusually wet season
which has just been experienced. It
IS not TO the credit OF any city the
size OF Willmar to have almost i'm
passable streets and when such an op-
portunity as the above presents itself
it should be taken advantage of as
quickly as possible. Our main thor
oughfares, on which naturally the
most driving is done, should always
be kept in the best condition for the
sake of not only the street travellers
but also to the advantage of the busi-
ness men along those certain streets
The clay which has been heretofore
used for filling proves very. unsatis-
factory, and Benson avenue is always
veritable sinkhole after every rain
that soaks the ground. The intro
duction af gravel at this time, we be-
lieve, will be less expensive than if it
Is postponed until later date.