The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-12
STREET CAR ADVANTAGES.

That this city needs an extension of
its street car service hardly needs a
discussion to prove.
Walking may be a decidedly bcne-
fetal exercise SO far as health is con-
cerned, but the majority of mankind
per day in the rush of modern bust
ness methods, are very anxious to enjoy
the luxury of walk after the close
of the day if he could ride to his resi-
dence for half the price of Il cigar.
Grand Forks is city of large di-
mansions. 1t is not crowded into an
area so small that breathing space
only extends skyward, and for this
reason the distances between the resi-
dence and business portions of the
city are much greater than they would
be in many towns of the same popu-
lation, but which cover less area.
Some Of the outlying portions of the
city are "a. mile and half from the
business section. and this distance
mus" be walked back and forth in
order"to get into town.
True, these sections have not been
built up extensively, but the reason
for that is that the majority of people
prefer to pay more rent If they are
rentets. and a higher price if they are
property owners. and get in portion
of the city where they will not have
the disadvantages of the country with
none of its benefits.
The extension of the street railway,
line to cover the main streets of the
city and to a portion at least of the
outlying sections. such as Riverside
park in the north end of the city and
the same distance through the south
end, out to the University and pass
ing through the principal residence
portions of the city, would serve the
double purpose of ahording accom-
modations to the public and enhanc-
ing the value OF zeal estate in the
outlying portions Of the city.
Whatever will add to the wealth Of
an individual when it does not do an
other an injustice, is good thing for
the public,
Increasing the value of real estate
in the outlying parts of the city by
means of street cars and other pub
lie utilities does not injure anyone
1t simply puts these properties in such
conditions that people want them,
while before these improvements came
they did not want them.
There is no demand for such prop
erty because those who would other
wise be purchasers refuse to buy be-
cause of the lack of public utilities.
1t is therefore simply putting the
property in such condition that the
people want it. and for which they
are willing to pay.
1t would seem to be good business
policy for the owners of the addi-
lions to the city to push the building
of street car system themselves or
inducing capitalists to do it.
The advantages to the public are
such that a reasonable financial sue
cess is assured to the promoters from
the start
But few people can afford the lux.
ury Of an automobile. and not many
! more care to keep a driving team for
convenience alone. But there are YER,
few who would not rather expend a
nickel in street car fare than walk
ten or dozen blocks to and from
his business, especially in the winter
time when the mercury is looking up
ward to zero and the wind is trying
to plant the traveller in another state
During the summer the people can
get along without it, but when winter
comes it is too late to build. and then
I It is most needed.
The thing to do is to act now and
have the benefits next winter.