The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-12-03
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES.

railroad general. but he is also a far
! sighted philosopher and man of un-
usual power in the presentation of
striking facts. Not long ago he called
attention TO the rapid depletion of the
worlds iron deposits and drew conelu-
sions that caused comment in every
civilized country. Still more recently
he made an address to the people of
Chicago through their Commercial
club. which has given every city in the
country food for thought.
1T is not enough he said, TO en-
large your borders and make such in
crease as is gathered here. Impregna-
BILE as your commercial position seems,
true though it be that nature has given
you guarantees for the future, it is as
certainly true that if you intend to
maintain your supremacy you must la
Dor for it. You must keep your chief
ship by service to the whole trade fol-
lowing. You must supply terminals and
all other necessary aids to quick and
cheap transportation. You must also
guard, strengthen and increase all the
forces that contribute to Chicago's
greatest growth
1t is pretty well known that Chicago
has the greatest transportation system
in the world. Thirty-three railroad
lines furnish land transportation, the
steamers of the great lakes give quick.
cheap service in the open months. Its
terminals are immense in number, in
area and in extent of capacity for
service. Belt roads connect all lines,
and surface and elevated roads COM
plete the system for passenger service.
between the wholesale houses and the
freight terminals.
In spite of these facts Mr.. Hill tells
the ChicagOans they must build more
terminals and improve their facilities
further. He is right. That man, group
of men or city that remains content
with having enough business, is doomed
to retrogression. To be complacently
serene when all goes we'll is equivalent
to suicide eventually if it does not in
clude the spirit of progress that is will
ing to build for the future too.
Salt Lake is a case in point Con-
ditions were never better here and they
are due in large part TO the men who
were willing to invest money in their
hopes; men who. like Senator Clark,
spent millions for railroad improve
ments, trusting to their own judgment
and faith in the future to give them re-
turns; men like Mr.. Phipps and Mr.
who have bought real estate
and expect TO improve it.
Nor can a few men alone do ali that
d community should do to make head
way. Salt Lake has improved its
streets in some sections, it has been
laying sidewalks and putting in sewers,
il has acquired a great water supply
and prepared for its distribution But
there is still a great work to do in pub
lie Improvements. The residence streets
should be parked and paved with |
macadam or any other good material |
within the limits of reasonable cost. The |
business district should be lighted on !
a better, more attractive plan. Streets |
should be designated by street signs, |
so a stranger can find his way without |
a guide and delivery business be faciii- |
tated. y spirit of civic pride ought |
TO be awakened so that private grounds |
as we'll as public will be made artistic |
Or at least presentable. The whole pub |
lie service ought to be modernized and |
in better way.
These facts are presented because it |
is evidently an OppOrtune time to con- |
slider the future and its necessities as |
well as its opportunities. Some of the |
various organized bodies of citizens |
might profitably take action looking to |
a concerted m3Yement for the welfare
Of the city along the lines suggested, |
end begin the agitation and discussion |
which must always precede final action |
by public servants.