The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-07
Cetters to tbe Gdftcr
Street Improvement.
The Advertiser:

Editor The Advertiser:
 The people are asked to vote for the issuance of city bonds to the amount of s350.00c. the greater portion of which Is to be used for the extension of water and sewer systems. There Is no pro- vision whatever for grading the streets. upon which the pipes are to be laid. Tn a few years, they will say they cannot grade the thoroughfares, because it costs too much to lower the pipes, and because property owners have made permanent Improvements
 The county grades country roads where few pass but the city cannot grade her streets. although there is a constant travel. day and night.
 Near Oak Park, the Haas addition of sixty acres Is being graded. both as to streets and blocks. the came being at the expense of an individual
 In crossing a railroad in the eastern part of the city. 5000 is being expended In grading, mostly by individuals in a private enterprise, and yet the city or Montgomery, with an assessed value of $15.00o,00o which annually increa ses, and with power to issue bonds payable by posterity on judgment day cannot afford to grade her highways for the con- venience of the masses The proposition is ridiculous.
 The same spirit of economy that would approve fire traps for children, would likewise destroy the beauty and utility of our thoroughfares.
 They propose to open South. Lawrence Street. It should never he None until there are some means for immediate grading; otherwise every improvement will fall in the wrong place. and form but an obstruction to proper development :n the future. It does not cost so much to grade, when there are no Instructions and no Instructors.
 They propose to lay curbing throughout the city. without first grading the streets building the town backwards.
 We believe in conservative progress. and in not squandering vast sums to lay impediments to future growth, by the most approved methods.
 The city can afford to do anything necessary for the convenience and pleas ure of her people. It is not so much a question of cost as It Is question of getting value received for money ex- pended. We know nothing of the busi- ness deals of this city, but municipalities frequently fall prey to p.underers. and the object should be to guard against "soldiering." "rakeoffs," 'take-outs," and grating
 The State requires her officials to have their bonds made by bond companies. The city should do the same, and thereby re- lieve officials from being under obliga- ton to Individuals. who may ask favors that would be detrimental to the interests of the city.
 When water mains are laid to grade. there is less friction to be overcome hy the water, and hence greater pressure, in case of fire.
 Tame the wild hills for the use of man, by the discipline of grade
 People walk or drive a graded street for pleasure a hilly one never.
 Children climb hills for the fun of run ming down; adults do not.
 Even blind man can see a hole, when he walks into 1t, or a hill, when he Is up against it."
 4 bad lot on a good street, Is better than good lot on a bad street.
 Sometimes grade may seem cruel, but the result is good
 The rights of 5000 are superior to those of one.
 The standard by which all things are measured. Is utility.
 Throughout nature all things require preparation for use. especially the site
 "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" graded avenue.
 There may be only lone of us." but We intend to vote against that bond issue, Because we are opposed to such extrava- &ance in building obstruction to modern progress. In Arkansas. the pioneer said he could not put a roof on his cabin, when 1t rained and that in fair weather. he did not need 1t. Likewise with the dif- ferent city administrations. They refuse to grade the streets, when improved by houses and pipe service, and when not thus improved, they say the streets don't need it. We object to building Greater Montgomery with the Arkansas policy.
 F. ". Jackson