The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-05-24

to grow rapidly. As a result he was
willing to take the bonds at $500 less
than he at first thought possible. This
incident has been commented upon
before. But It emphasizes the need
of creditable railway stations and
good roads.
Not every visitor in the city has
time to stay and investigate. Many,
being driven from station to hotel over
rough and muddy roads, gain such I'M
favorable impressions Of the city that
they want to take the first train out
and never return. The old idea that
first impressions are lasting ones is
by no means fable, and Norfolk suf.
fers on that account In the lack Of a
substantial roadway from the Junction
up town
We who live in Norfolk know that
good roads are, in a measure, only
skin deep and that 1t is other features,
underneath, which really give town
its foundation for growth. But, while
good road is comparatively only a
little matter, 1t is of vast significance
in getting the city into the good grac-
es of visitors when they first strike
town.
The same argument will apply to
the paving Of Norfolk avenue. The
same argument will apply to any num-
Der of other comparatively small de-
tails in the city's appearance which
mean so much in turning favor for or
against city among strangers who
chance to be spending brief hour in
town.
While clothes do not always make
the man or the city, it will be found
pretty generally that neat wearing APP
parel, either in humans or in commu-
mites, will give a pretty strong indi-
cation as to character and, just as the
well dressed man will be given pref
erence over a carelessly CARRIED per-
son, other things being equal, so the
| city which has pride enough and con-
| fidence enough in itself to pay atten-
ton to the little things which count
so vitality in appearance, will win out
in the end against another of equal
rank, but which is willing to drift
along untidily.
Norfolk has an opportunity for a
tremendous future. No better terri
tory surrounds any city. 1t is grow
ing in an industrial way. It's prestige
is increasing. And if it's opportunities
are to be taken advantage of, energy
and money must be expended in civic
improvements, both for comfort and
appearance.
A permanent road between the bust
ness portion of the city and the juno
ton would not alone add to comfort
and appearance. 1t would mean dol
lars and cents. Dozens of shoppers
who now go to Omaha from the juno.
ton would be only too glad of an op
portunity to come up town if a smooth
road made the trip an easier one.
While it will perhaps be some time
before a street car service will be
available for this route, it was estab
lished by The News last summer that
an automobile carrying dozen per
sons could easily be secured to make
regular trips between the Junction
and the business portion of the city
thus bringing the residents of that
portion of the town much closer to the
grading district.
Norfolk owes to the people of the
Junction as well as to itself, for the
impression it would create with visit
ors and for the comfort added to Nor
folks rides, a substantial and well
built permanent roadway. Much ef
fort and money has already been ex.
pended on the First street road and
the work ought to be completed. Nor
folk ought to make it's completion pos
sible. That done, the great value Of
good roads over bad ones will be sc
firmly established that other streets
between the Junction and up town
will be converted into permanent ones
for use in rainy weather as we'll as
dry. And once the value of a good
road in town is fixed, rapid improve
ment Of country roads will become g
necessity.