The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-06
PUBLIC WORK.

The new City Hospital Islvons will be ready for
occupancy probably before the end of the year and
about the same time the City Hall will have been
completed An emergency hospital has been acquired
and an addition has been built 10 the f"ofhouEe.
Other necessary improvements have heen made. start
cd or planned for but all that should be done has
been arranged for because the requisite funds are not
al hand the ordinary revenue being Inadequate for
extraordinary Work.
The Insane Asylum is ovGvcrowded and an add
ton is absolutely necessary The same statement APP
plies with equal force the Poorhouse and the fe-
male Hospital. Possibly the City Hospital will
not be large enough when the buildings now under
construction finished. The -Four Courts presents
an ugly, dlapidated appearance. The Courthouse Is
in need of repairs. The old City Hall requires remod-
cling At least ten engine-houscs with equip
1nents. are needed. Certain improvements are
necessary including the construction and reconstruc-
ton of the River DIES PereS, Harlem Creek. GngraSs
Creek Glase Greek Valley and Mill Creek sewers.
New viaducts are needed and other permanent pubic
improvements
All of this work is urgently necessary as any one
will see upon investigation. The city would save
money by making these improvements. The buildings
are in such state of decline to demand constant
repairing the work being done over and over
again. thus causing actual waste in expenditures me
money wasted in repairs that necessarily only
in proper condition and enable the city to practice
economy.
With regard to small and defective public sewers
the same rule applies. On account of overfows ana
breaks the city is obliged TO waste money in com
pcnsa-ing for damages the property of individuals
and ho;seholders This leak in the finances which Is
by no means insignificant, could be stopped if the
sewers improved
The money expended for repairs and in payment OF
damages is surprisingly large. Furthermore 1t is an
unnecessary expense 1t is an expense that could be
done away with by makin improvements. Then,
there is the financial that is due to lack of s!s-
tenn unavoidable under existing circumstances which
would also be stopped.
The improvements suggested would cost money,
but they would he the of saving money. The
chief argument for making them is that they are
really necessary The city is in duty bound to pro-
vide for the infir the insane and the paupers and
also TO safeguard the health of the inhabitants of all
and to maintain it's reputation by having all public
buildings in such condition at least, not to invite
the derision of visitors
There Is only way to obtain the funds for n::E
ing necessary improvements of permanent char"c
fer and that is by the issuance Of bonds. u" city
has authority to present a bcndsslle proposition to
tbe voters: it should do this and give them an oppor
tunity TO approve disapprove tie plans. The ciy
being unable to make the Improvements without p""
mission from the voters is entirely justified in ap
pealins to civic pride and leaving the decision and the
responsibility to the voters. If thu improvements at
not made it will be because the voters do not "Sre
| them