The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-19

There are two aspects of Montgom- cry that are unnoted by the majority of it's inhabitants. No blame attaches <o anyone; for the greater number of people here are earnestly pre-occupied with their own individual affairs and have but little time to consider the public affairs of our city as they are and as they ought to be-
 The first of these features is this; that in view of the favorable location of the city. in relation to agriculture and to manufacturing, it has every right to expect a population of 100000 by the time of our centennial year. 1919.
 It must be apparent to the most cas- ual observer that the downtown shop ping district and the transfer corners become more and more crowded eacn month, so that at times sidewalks and streets are almost impossible. Most serious thought should be given to the more physical detail of street arrange menf and street openings by the pres ent Council. The consideration of the subject cannot be taken up too soon. for great bodies move slowly and great cities change lines slowly. New York. for instance, gave an illustration or this in It's subway work. In the years that the subway was under construc- tfon. the population of New York in- creased so rapidly that the opening of the subway created scarcely any relief for the trouble.
 This city's greatness is coming on with so much speed ct has doubled in population in seven years), that no time should be lost in considering ways and means for making it more mechanically easy to expand the retail district or to get around in 1t. com mission with the duty of working out peter details of the city should begin in the year 1908 to consider every ex- isting point of diniculty. bearing in mind that they are planning for city of 0o.oo0-
 Just as an indication of needed changes. let me jct down few points:
 First-The breadth of Monroe Street, which should be naturally great art cry of retail trade. is nuilified by the narrowness of North Court Street which is its only means of exit to- wards the Square or towards Coosa Street. Either North Court Street should be broadened so as to extend the area of the retail district or else q means of getting directly through to eomrnerce should be considered and acted upon before property values soar beyond all reasonable reach.
 Second--not in any contentious spirit, huf ready to recognize at the very out set legal rights vested in the action of former councils, this commission should also consider the question of an amicable arrangement whereby Lee Street could be opened to the depot, thus bringing to pass, by means of the disappearance of the freight depot. an opportunity for an imposing plaza as khe first thing to greet the eye of vis- 1tors to this city. This would relieve Che congestion of Commerce Street on Saturdays and other days and make carriage approach to the depot free from car tracks. As we approach our greater size the location of the freight sGepot becorres of less immediate irn- lportance to the railroads because, if 1t Fenlains where 1t is, 1t will soon be re- mote from some business portions of the city and if it moves 1t will soon be remote from other business portions of the city. Tn fact. 1t should be a matter of easy calculation to decide the points in the city to and from which inc greatest bulk of freight comes and will come outside of establish ments that have sidings already tn- stalled or that could have sidings in the future. The various radii of the probable freight area would locate the freight depot advantageously to all.
 Third-The congestion of wagons In Court Square will become greater and greater, as the rural regions develop. adding to the difficulty that will al- ways exist at this central point. for it is the natural radiating point for travel throughout the city. This commission should therefore consider carefully the assignment of another Square. remov- ing from Court Square all vehicles ex- cept those that have immediate reason for calling at places located on Court Square Naturally the first thought would be the site of the old Baptist Church. If the building were removed, the area resulting would be larger than that now in Court Square. and the wag- ons gathered there would be nearer than they now are to the wholesale district and possibly more convenient.
 These are only a few of the points that would have to be considered by