The Dickinson press., 1908-06-13
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Boulevarding Streets, Support Of
Local Band, Fourth Of July
Plans, and Entertainment Of
Farmers, Discussed by
Commercial Club.

~OOulcVdIOluR TIC Hail IcSlucEud1
streets Of Dickinson and supporting the
Dickinson band were the two topics of
especial public interest and welfare,
discussed at the regular meeting of the
Commercial Club in their rooms in the
armory Wednesday evening. 1t was the
weekly "get together" night Of the club
and there was a representative showing
of business men present. President John
van der Las presided. Reports of
special committees were given. The
Fourth of July celebration committee re-
ported that its work was progressing
smoothly and that subcommittee had
been appointed for the carrying out of
the various departments of the program.
1t was brought up that it was no more
than right that a part of the celebration
be carried out on the south side this
year. The business men there con-
tribute to the fund and when the pro-
gram is all on the north side, their bust
ness, instead of increasing from the
/ tlllOleo VI p1SllOlS III lO"l1J 10 CtCll lCSS
than usual. This year the committee
has decided to have a part Of the observ-
ance on that side and will decide on
what special part of the program later.
The committee appointed to act for
the club in the matter of the farmers
institute to be held next Tuesday also
reported. The club rooms will be
opened for the use of the visiting farmers
and the club voted to provide some
amusement for the guests some time
during the day. 1t was recommended
that the farmers be given a compliment
tary entertainment at one of the moving
picture theatres at the expense of the
club and this plan was adopted by a
unanimous vote. 1t will be carried u
under the direction of the Special insti-
tute committee appointed at a previous
meeting.
The question of ~boulevarding the
streets in the residential sections of
Dickinson was then taken up at O n
siderable length, involving the opinions
on the subject of all present.
DR.. C. A. Perkins, who is, in a way,
the originator of the movement, ex-
planned his idea of the matter. The
plan is to take the principal streets in
the residential section and beautify their
appearance by boulevarding as carried
out in many cities of this country. The
streets are made narrower, with a strip
of grass and trees on either side between
the road and the sidewalk. The expense
would be borne by the property owners,
each being responsible for the appear
ance of the boulevard in front of his own
property. Under the present arrange
ment the street occupies most of the
distance between the two sidewalks. By
placing a curbing several feet nearer the
center of the street and grading the strip
of land thus secured, the appearance of
the street is greatly improved. These
plots of land are intended to be seeded
down, trees planted in uniform order,
and the whole kept up in good order.
By this method, it was brought out, the
expense of the city in caring for the
streets is lessened and the question of
street sprinkling reduced to a minimum.
The expense to each property owner
would not be great and the value of the
property would be increased from the
improvement in appearance.
A lively discussion was INDUCED in
and, with n exception, all present were
in favor of having some such arrange
ment and were willing to stand the ex-
pense of doing the work in front of their
property.
A motion was finally introduced author
izing the president to appoint a com
mittee to confer with the city council and
to ask that board to plan its work on the
city streets this summer with a view to-
wards ~boulevarding at some future time.
In this way the expense of changing the
streets, when it is thought the right time
has come, will be much decreased.