The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-05-26


sion of their own business. Most of I
the statues regulating the goyern-
ments lack both elasticity and power !
for the introduction Of administration
of the best business methods, the
cause of which is more often due to
the lack of foresight on the part Of a
past generation than to the present
municipal officers. AS a people we
are critical and often do not consid-
er the difficulties under which city adj
ministrations labor in endeavoring to
adjust local conditions, which have
no more authority than was originally
required by and granted to rural
community. To frame new charter
I is difficult and state legislatures Of
ten are averse to granting new city
charter requests.
In growing communities little seri-
GUS consideration is given to town
planning for the future, and building
codes and subdivisions of real estate
are framed for present rather than
for future requirements. Real estate
owners in improving their property
confol m to the established building
and fire laws, sanitary requirements
and maintenance of street widths, but
with the sole purpoae Of increasing
4 their bank accounts
Subdivisions are laid out by novit-
late surveyors and streets planned
which may or may not be continue
ton OF established thoroughfares. 10
account is taken Of the increased traf-
fic that must necessarily follow, nor
of it's accommodation to city's ulti-
J mate growth, but with the sole view
! of securing speedy financial results.
), Town or city councils, in accepting
: subdivisions, as rule do not give due
consideration to two facts, viz, that
every subdivision is an increased bur-
: den to taxpayers, and that the subdi-
( visions should be in direct conformity
, with the city's development. Present
Y indications are that Our town councils
! will in the future scrutinize more
$ closely the plating Of proposed sub
divisions, and, profiting from said ex-
3 periences, will refuse the acceptance
n of large majority of applications.
t Failure to wisely provide for town
= industrial expansion is especially ap-
e parent in practically all of our cities
). They are like Topsy, they ''just grow
9 ed Industries as a rule now select q
& location Immediately adjoining the
e right of way OF railroad. They then
n make demand for sidetrack ordi
8 nance which frequently calls for a
turnout from a busy main track OF
!, the road, and such a turnout is al
ways menace to the travelling pub
& lie and is difficult Of operation. BY
r of railroad. little thought is giver
n to the Increased traffic to which ever,
i. manufacturing plant contributes, o
y the possibilities of congestion. lack o
4 yard room and tracks, and the attend
ST ant evils which Invariably follow sucl
conditions AS the town grows ii
\. population an increased demand Il
n made upon railroad facilities ant
!. street traffic.
n Need of Belt Road.
e. Industrial town planning implies
lie that the manufacturers, or industrial
of committees Of the commercial club, II
1t cooperation with railroad offlciali
ir and such other experts, as architects
engineers, municipal authorities, vii
is give the subject thorough investiga
n ton and create throughout the cit,
al an industrial area or areas that do no
lie interfere with other public rights o
r jeopardize public safety. Such in
n dustrial areas should have combine,
n with them every advantage which tn
y, town presents Many cities advertis
s. that a manufacturer has facilitie
Or from six or seven railroads, when i
w fact it has the advantages Of onl
n one road and he will be compelle
to pay switching charges. Industrial
ed areas should be SO planned as to pei
N nit of the construction either of
ii. joint or belt railroad or some cas-
lr- method Of making connections wit
ne all railroads which should be commo
m to every industry which may be lo
Gated within the industrial area Sue
of joint track arrangements, when tn
N. city becomes large enough, will mea
ed not only the elimination of the estat
i'd lishment within that area of unto
Il. freight house for less than carloa
ST. shipments, which will expedite tn
re movement of the less than carload @
to merchandise. Such industrial area
Is. should be apart from the Residential
u- sections of the city SO as to overcom
the objections of noxious odors, smok
IS. and noise, which are always attend
of ant upon manufacturing plants.
Facilities for interchange of traffi
between manufacturing and jobbin
house and the business section, an
ON more especially freight houses, shout
SIS be provided.
ot Chicago teams haul 100000 tons 9
oy freight daily. New York has $500
en- tons and Philadelphia congests he
in narrow streets with $4,000 tons daily
ryt.. boc