El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-08-20

procedure? The first thing is to de
terlnine the relative position OF the Jif,
| ferent parts of the new territory IT
will then be possible to proceed with
mapping in widely separated sections
with a positive knowledge of the rela-
ton of the street lines in one section
10 those in another. The next thing
which will demand attention is the syS-
tenn of existing roads. There was, and
should form the skeleton of our future
street system. Often it will be neees-
sary to straighten them, and in all cases
to widen them. In the writer's juGg-
| ment they should be not less than 10C
feet in width, and in some instances
even wider In the case of these latter,
if the old road has good shade trees, the
original highway can probably be pre-
served for pleasure driving, while an
other section can be reserved for railroad
tracks, and, perhaps, still another for
automobiles.
These old roads may have been nearly
parallel or approximately radial, while
the cross connections may have been in
frequent and unimproved. They must,
therefore, be carefully considered. They
should be straight between the parable!
or radial highways wherever possible.
Easy to Fill In Spaces.
When these controlling streets have
been definitely determined, we need not
worry about filling in the spaces be-
tween. Whether it would be advan
tage0us to have the intervening spaces
treated in a uniform manner, is ques-
tionable. Here, where the topography
suggest it. a serpentine system of streets
may be laid out: there, a Generous depth
of lots, with space for gardens, NAV be
provided: here, again, we may find
group of narrower streets cOmpactlv
built up with secluded courts and small
houses fronting upon little plot OF
grass.
The Parking system.
No reference mas vet been made to
a system of parks and Fairgrounds. The
policy of most of our cities, mas been to
defer the selection of park sites until
the necessity for parks has become an
parent. Meanwhile, the adoption OF
street plan has converted acreage prop
ertv into city lots with a great increase
in value If there is a particular BIT
of woodland. an elevation with a com
manding outlook, or even piece OF low
living land traversed by stream, which
nave not vet been cut Up into building
lots. they can be most advantageouslv
set aside as future parks. These reser-
vations should be scattered 50 that there
will be some open space within walking
distance of every resident. These parks
should be connected by adequate road
WAYS. not necessarily straight or even
of uniform width, but contracted where
the topography would involve expensive
and again expanded. In a
territory such as we have been consider
ing it may be useless to speak of the
grouping of public buildings, for the i'm
portant municipal centers have already |
been established There are. however, !
minor public buildings. such as schools |
libraries. public baths and comfort sta |
tions. police stations and fire houses, I
and it would be most desirable to set |!
aside here and there what might me |
termed municipal blocks upon which |
these buildings could be grouped in |
very effective manner. The writer |
knows OF no instance of the formulation /
and execution Of a policy such as has |
been outlined. but it appears to be so
and logical that it is mat |
ter OF surprise that the problem OF |
making a city plan has never been nm |
lertaken in this manner.-Eyclusiva |
service The Survey Press Bureau.