Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-04-26
THE PAVING PROJECT.

The movement for improving and
beautifylng the streets of this city, to
which we have already alluded, Is one
that should receive ENCOURAGEMENT
from individuals as well as the NUM-
cpalty. The proposition to macada-
mlze the thoroughfares outside OF the
business district, we regard as In the
interests of economy and for the gener-
al welfare. The soil OF our streets Is OF
such nature that ordinary crawling
does no. meet requirements, and there
Is an alienation between sticky mud
and binding dust In many localities.
Asphaltum pavement is too expensive
for extended use on our broad
thoroughfares, and the same may be
said of the narrower streets and av-
enues. Macadam, however properly
laid and graded, we think, will be found
all-suillelent for the purpose required,
and its cost will come within the means
of the ordinary citizen.
OF course there will of necessity be
some people having little property
but with no wealth, to whom any kind
OF tax Is a burden, and who will ma
turally object to expensive improve
ments, however necessary they may be
to the public convenience. But as
rule everybody holding real estate
should be willing TO contribute to the
general improvements that are made
and which will add TO the value of their
property. Protection is afforded to the
small holder of real estate when street
Improvements are projected by the or
dnance which permits a protest to be
entered, but which has to be signed by
two-thlrds Of the taxpayers interested.
Such objections should not he entered
against any needed public improve
ment except under great stress and in
ability to meet the expense incurred,
In referring to the steps taken by the
Second Street Club for the paving Of
that street with macadam, we drew at.
tenton to the fact that a number OF
residents on that street are probably
unable to pay large sums for the pur-
pose designed, and that care should be
taken that they may not be oppressed.
We are Informed that the machdamiz-
Ing work Is estimated to cost at the ut
most no more than three dollars and
a half per foot frontage, and that re-
liable firm has offered TO do the paw
Ing for half that amount.
II that IL correct the value OF the
Improvement viii be far IN excess Of
The cost and It will come within reason
able bounds. Very few of the property
owners there would be unable to meet
the expense, seeing that the tax would
extend over a period OF al least Ave
years, and possibly ten years, requir-
Ing only annual payments with a low
rate Of interest. we mention this so
that our friends along that route will
not be alarmed II the work proposed is
sonable rapidlty Second street would
put on q fine appearance and the paved
work would probably be extended to the
Fort.
provement and identifying OF this city
In every part, and would not place the
slightest obstruction in the way of any
reasonable project. AT the same time,
Il recognizes the difficulty with which
many residents with small means have
10 meet the ordinary taxes on their
property, and the burden which Is add
ID by these special paving measures,
which the more wealthy feel no hard
ship IN promoting, A general UNDER
standing Of these matters should be
rad, and our citizens should work to-
rether in harmony and yet with pru-
Hence In the good work Of civic i'm
proyement. We look for Second street
% figure as "a thing of beauty"