The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-09
Eetters to tbe Gdftor
street Ymnrouement

l -,rOS wt- ac Aubt couSLitutiOn udhSe v
 Almost impossible to move the Capitol. The struggle, of different railroads to en- ter the city prove it's value as a com.
 nerciai center; this is further emphasized so mention. which have recently located \ nere. The Panama canal will greatly
 penent the entire South, especially. Ala
 tSa ec n.rt on = scSount of iron and coal al and
 these conditions. Montgomery becomes a great beneficiary. Prosperity will be
 forced upon her. whether she wants 1t or Tn the far East, admonish us of the full niiment of prophecy. but we have no req
 son 70 presume upon immediate divine ln- stanees hence nee under the sireu% u,,
 ia8e ways, and address ourselves to lay ing the foundation of q great modern city.
 a. ne rush Is already upon us. The very
 thoroughfares. for the convenience of improvements
 About fifteen years ago. when street im- essary, thoroughout the business portion or town. to ht the grade to the buildings, in order to prevent serious damage. the stores store, being immediately upon the side more desirable grade. Unfortunately, this same policy has been virtually pur- sued In the resident portion, although every house stands far enough back to De readily adapted to proper grade.
 In the event of 2 cut, trees can ire, eSentiy be preserved by leaving mound years since, Dexter Avenue was swept or trees. today it has abundant shade. In the event of shallow i'll. trees can be left In the depressions. while young trees level. so that by the time the old die, the young will have attained size. If trees ns lost, one may be consoled by the Srvss s,,,,,,s,,, emsE .ns gun s . hea@i.mIu; @ rS the human system. In general trees die: | the hills never. Trees can be obtained I at any time; graded avenue but once
 sary. and mere mere matter @ ~ of taste, ITS for ura. less the terrace be high, there is nothing | to retain. In Atlanta along Peachtrec Street and neighborhood, a terrace often finishes against the sidewalk without any wall whatever; sometimes a lawn slopes from house Go sidewalk, the effect being pleasant and restful to the eye, the ab Senes yits , Of the & wall sorSing no seat st, to in kie in the iand."
 | The mathematics of the sewer system ir the city, are correct, but the plan is for grading the hills. Fifteen years ago the future of Montgomery was in doubt: so that in laying the sewers on the hills | at the starting points, probably from ! feet beneath the surface. Now that a new era has dawned, If we read the signs | aright there Is a general demand for city life; and first of ali, graded streets. The obstacle is in lowering the sewers and water mains New work can be put in at the proper depth and the connections shifted; and then as the hill Is graded: the | old material can be removed without much damage. to be used again in other parts of the city. The expense is great, time be brought to grade It is not an ad- dttional or second expense, because the work was never done right at first. II Is pity to see such beautiful city. and with such prospects, ruined by false economy and village methods.
 For the sake of argument, N25.000 will pave street without grade: $135.000 will pave 1t with grade. The first Is unsightIy and constant source of annoyance for | this and all future generations. The fence and pleasure for all time. The comparatively small difference in cost Is hardly to be considered. especially since l bonds can be issued for the entire work and future generations be made to pay amounts involved. and the fact that fu- ture generations must be considered, the importance of the Improvement Is such | that economy cannot be practised. It IS either do it right. or let 1t alone.
 Over half million dollars have recently been expended in paving. much of 1t along improper lines, and yet the work has just 1 begun. Considering the future of the
 
 the most careful attention of our best thought. It is too late to object to hills and unduIations after millions have been It may cost something to grade a street. but it costs nothing to let it alone. At lanta built city where there was no
 ssis s. SE City e aRs tRa bt T was as only by grading that it was ever accom- plished. No city enjoys a more beauti- full location than Montgomery. Will she continue passive and quietly view her streets ruined in preparation?
 Grade Is not new subject with us. Ten years ago we circulated petition to have graded that beauty in the rough; Adams throughout the city, we immediately Adams Street would remain neglected. until there was change of manner in When Decatur Street School was To- cated. we pleaded for the lowering of | that hill. met the Street Committee there by appointment, and urged the grading of adjacent streets, and that the low places be filled, especially on High, ona block distant; so as to give better ap-- forming the only practical thoroughfares across the southern portion of town. In the last municipal campaign, we were slow to espouse the cause of any one. until we knew something about pol icy as to grade. Finally, without making this an issue, however. We voted and hurrahed for the present administration. Shortly after the election, we called upon our present Mayor, for whom we have the greatest regard, and humblv express ed the opinion that the city had made great mistakes In the past. in expending vast sums of money on streets without first reducing them to grade: and we ex- pressed the hope that he would change the policy for the future. He replied It will never do to tunnel through these hills" The answer was, We do not believe in tunnels. but we do believe in grade"
 The State recently appropriated $15O. GOO for enlargement of the Capitol build ing and grounds. As soon as this is done. that entire neighborhood will immedi- ately build up with handsome homes. on account of close proximity to the only public square In the city. Ba'nb"idge and Adams will soon be paved with brick and then the pinnacle at the intersection w1ll be more embarra ssing than ever. That hill ought to be lowered. and the time IS now.
 Adams Street is the approach to High land Park, Bloemfontaine. a favorite country drive. and to East Montgomery. now being developed.
 Grade Is an issue of many against one, utility against inconvenience, beauty ageInst blemish and right against wrong only, but for all time. Considering the immensity of the task. we do well to lay even the foundation: let others do the rest Discussing the subject in a broad light and without reference to any ad- ministra ton. we are free to say that not 10 grade the streets of a city is an ute" disregard of the rassos of the people of the present and future generations Of ta~nave~s c'tiZ"nshin and puhl'c uti''ty xya onafhiza with the y,ra~arG a adynio