The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1911-10-06
OLD streets.

DidHtonf htHiDtfn Oh tae lily DOdfu
accompanied by Arthur f. Tittswortl
and John Baird, went to Martin Tues
day and spent a most enjoyable after
noon looking over the street improve
ments recently completed at that place
They were met at the passenger sta,
ton by number OF hospitable gentle.
men, headed by Mayor j. 7. Perkins
and members OF Martin Commercial
Club. The visitors we're loaded into
autos and at once started on a tour Of
the city.
The Federal census report gives Mar
tin population of 1890 This same
report might have very truthfully stated
that it is the cIeanest and best kept town
of its size in Tennessee. To be sure, it
is quite chunk Of a town and during
the past three years-since Capt. Per-
kins has been Mayor-it has grown and
improved by leaps and bounds.
Capt. Perkins is wonder, as all the
older citizens hereabouts well know.
From one end of Martin to the other
can be seen the little enclosures where
the yiolets bloom and the salvias, can
mas, caladiums and chrysanthemums
grow commonly known along the N,
G. q st. i. Ry. as Jim Perkins Park.
Immediately in front of the public
school campus we notice about three
fourths OF the streets width for dis
lance Of 600 feet has been turned over
to the city as flower garden and named
Perkins Park. y
During the past two years they have
graded and graveled eight miles of
streets at cost Of about SO, 900 per
mile, and during the past few weeks
have oiled seven miles of the grayeled
thoroughfares, and to inspect this work
was the object Of this visit by the mem
bers OF the Union City Board. The
work is neatly done and works like a
charm. 1t keeps down the dust and
preserves the gravel work, keeps the
driveways smooth and turns water like
a ducks back. The members OF the
party were highly pleased with what
they saw and they will favor something
along this line for Union City streets
before another summer The oil and
work Of spreading, so they informed us,
per mile, cost the city 1855 co. These
streets will require another coat Of oil
next spring, and the experts tell us that
they will then remain in perfect condi-
ion for two years with few repairs.
During the past two years they have :
quilt sixteen miles OF concrete sidewalks
It an expense of go cents per running
DOT for 4-foot work. This work is done
Inder the supervision Of the city officials, y
tut is paid for by the property owners. =
The city pays for the grading and the
ost of the curb.
The town owns the water plant and
he light and power systems, from which
hey realized net profit of 81, 600 last
ear. From the pumping station they
onvey steam through large, asbestos
Overed pipes to the city schools, and
ne heating system there is perfect
bout 400 children attend this school.
The Hall-Moody and McTyeire Schools
ave large enrollments. But these are
d-time institutions at Martin.
The Mayor and assistants escorted
leir guests to the Anderson Hotel,
here they heartily enjoyed splendid
zeal. 1t was we'll prepared and served
excellent style. The members OF the
arty were ready to appreciate royal
asst, and they did. III
Capt. Perkins is wide-a-wake, full of
lstle and enterprise, and thinks q u
hole lot Of Martin. Martin stays
spruced up" every day in Sunday ~
tire, assumes city airs and thinks lots
Capt. Perkins. The town is easily Sc,
6 shining star of Weakley County, gu
ID to this good hour | have failed to
yure whether Mayor Perkins is the
ittering gem on the bosom piece OF ).
e city Of Martin or the city Of Mar
J is the glistening ruby on the shirt =.
INT OF Mayor Perkins. They both "
inc. /.
The bonded indebtedness of Martin is II
1000, and the city tax rate is 81 10.
Two men and superintendent are
lployed at the water and light plant,
0 policemen and street man, and US
lunteer fire company is afforded.
The members returned home at 7:40.
icy are full Of their trip, and il you n,
~ a., boar Urool, roodeD on1 etroot, |