The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-07-13
Opening That Street

Experience is good teacher, but some
times the lesson is so long drawn out
that we forget what questions and un-
known quantities were involved in the
case at the beginning, and review of
the whole matter is necessary to bring
any conclusions based on experience.
A long time ago Blackfoot began to
build up as string town, and two side
streets were closed with buildings. No
body paid much attention to it and in
time these tracts ceased to be considered
streets. An agitation was commenced
that resulted in opening one of them at
considerable expense. That seemed SO
good that an effort was made to open the
other one. 1t was said by those favoring
the move that opening the street would
improve the appearance Of the town,
would make it more convenient to reach
all parts Of it, that it would prevent its
further development as q string town,
and, as the proposed new street was
closed up with frame buildings, their re-
moval would greatly reduce the risk Of
tire destroying the blocks on each side.
They mentioned the fact that adjacent
blocks, situated close to the center Of
town, were isolated and had tumble
down-back-yard appearance, when they
ought to be building up with business
houses.
On the other hand, men said that the
country was large, that ground was
plentiful and that we could get along
without throwing that particular tract
open to travel, that we had gotten along
very we'll and could so continue. They
sand it would cost $1,000 to open the
tract, 6Ox25O feet, and that the town
could not afford such expenses. That it
was dead expense and had better be
saved. They said it would be more con-
sistent to talk about securing fire pro-
lection from direct investment In appa-
ratus for fighting fire, that 81 600 in.
vested in such things would mean pro-
lection for any and all parts Of town,
while opening Pacific street was only
breaking connection where fire might
or might not occur, and that, If the street
we're opened at such expense, it would
be years before we could raise money to
equip fire department.
While all this was being disc used,
several months passed and the price Of
the property advanced from $1,000 to
$4,000 Finally some options were Sc
cured and it appeared that Sl1 900 would
open the street. Men who we're inter
ested signed subscriptions for large
amounts to help raise, the fund. Others
refused to aid and sad the price was too
great; that we needed hooks, hosecarts
and ladders; that all who aided IN open
ing the street were men of one idea and
ought to be restrained.
These felows.were in turn accused Of
being stingy, narrow minded, unprogres-
Esive, fogies, interested in nothing or, per-
chance, trying to develope Bridge street
Lat the expense of Main or the isolated
district, or both. They proposed issuing
village bonds for $4,000 and raising 5000
sEy subscription. The bond carried by a
close vote, $500 was raised bysubscrfp-
ton, the village council met about twice
a week for months to attend to details
and complications connected with the
Opening The opposition steadily pre-
Edicted failure and always seemed about
|ready to prove the assertion. The bond
WAS issued and sold at premium; some
money was paid on the options WHICH