The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-03-29
EoR CIVIC IMPROVEMENT.

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There is big field for the Civic
Improvement association which was
organized so auspiclously Tuesday
evening. Those who have watched the
development of Salt Lake closely real
ze that the city has not kept pace in
its public Improvements with the prog
Fess made in commercial and financial
affairs; and the fault is largely at
tributable to a lack of that organized
public spirit which in other cities has
given Intelligent direction and support
Be- a general movement Cor civic bet
serment.
Some of the shortcomings Of the
city are SO obvious as to be recognized
by every one. There can be no ques-
lion as to the need of street improve
ments of the right sort, and there is
not much room for debate as to the
advisability of using some other
material than asphalt for paving in
the residence districts. Most of the
larger cities have awakened to the
fact that asphalt is costly. dirty. noisy
and altogether undesirable for use in
residence districts as Mr.. Goshen
pointed out in his talk TO the associa-
ton
Denver has proved the availability
OF macadam as we'll as its value and
Salt Lake has quite as good material
close at hand for paving purposes as
has Denver. Such material would
make it possible to pave extensively
without burdening property owners so
that Salt Lake could have good streets
I'm every direction within a short
period and bring its thoroughfares up
TO the standard of cities of its class.
Doubtless when the committees of the
association get down to business they
will recommend to the city admins
tration d plan for general street i'm
provement which will meet the con-
ditions.
1t is to be hoped the committees
report on this subject will carry a
recommendation for narrowing the
dTiveways. as has been done on Brig
ham street since this will reduce the
cost of paving. make the streets more
beautiful and still leave ample room
for traffic.
Next in Importance will come the
effort to get individual citizens to
clean up and adorn their premises.
Mr. Z. B. Critchlow spoke of Boise as
an example Of the beauty which
comes from united effort to make a
presentable appearance. The Idaho
capital is one of the prettiest cities in
the country, and its appearance is due
almost altogether to the neatness OF
the lawns, the liberal use of paint on
residences and fences, and the alb
sence Of litter and trash which abound
SO freely in some districts OF Salt
Lake The Civic Improvement associ-
alton viii serve a good purpose if it
arouses public interest in a movement
TO ''clean house" all over the city. in
the removal of trash and weeds from
vacant lots, the planting Of trees and
attention to lawns-all Of them activi-
ties which involve little expense and
repay that little a thousand times
over in the added attractiveness Of
neighborhoods.
One thing the new association may
we'll study to avoid. and that is the
tendency in such organizations to
attempt too much at once. The most
enthusiastic workers in such a cause
naturally have 4 number of reforms
they wish TO see accomplished i'm
mediately, but the most practical re-
suits can be accomplished only by
taking I'D one or two lines of effort at
a time and finishing them before at
tempting any other. II the association
succeeds. in arousing a sentiment in
behalf Of street improvement and gets
the individual citizen to clean up and
adorn their own premises this season,
It viii have accomplished ali that can
be asked OF Il as a beginning. and can
then plan further improvements one at
a time as they seem urgent.
The organization q admirably adap-
ted TO fits purpose and its officers are
among the best that could have been
chosen. ar. Stephens, the president,
has had experience in city affairs and
has the impartial judgment which is