El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-11-23

acmeFe Lne great emu u implying I--S
people-that is what this brief outline ]
The word @ripening' is used, because
it is not claimed that this plan is fully
matured, final, or complete: only sug-
FESTIVE and furnishing a consistent
basis for earnest consideration and dis
cussion, and for future working out in
detail The Illustrations are not here
given. but at some future. time they
VIII be given to the public either in
book form or in the way Of pictures
thrown on a screen in some hall
Need of Further Study and Expert
Counsel.
This material has all, from time to
time. been presented to the public
through these columns, topic by topic,
most of it has been laid before the city
authorities at various times during the
past i've years, and much Of it has been
presented orally to public meetings or
conferences of citizens. 1t is rounded
I'D and presented today in somewhat
consistent and consecutive FORM in
view Of the probability that in the near
future, there viii come to FL Paso, to
consult with and advise citizens and
officials. the best qualified expert in
city planning, park and boulevard
creating. in the United States-GeOrge
Is. Kessler. Mr. KessIer, as consulting
expert for a score of highly progressive
cities. has much great work to his
credit as TIE result OF a quarter century
OF artistic and intelligent endeavOr, but
none more notable than his creation Of
Kansas -City's s10,OO0,O0O park and
L. 11-frr and
restoring of the St. Louis worlds fair
grounds. 1t is The Herald's hope that
this outline viii stimulate popular
thought, imagination, and discussion,
and furnish a basis on which Mr. Kess-
Ter can proceed with expert criticism,
suggestion, and constructive planning,
If it be decided to engage him as con-
sulting expert to guide Ell Paso's de-
velOpment in the near future.
THE CARDINAL PRINCIFLE.
One great cardinal principle must
guide US in all park and street develop
ment now and always. This cardinal
principle may be thus stated: Aim first
Mt maximum use, practical service, the
public health and convenience; aim see
Ond at achieving greater beauty and
charm; plan always 50 that ALL the
residents OF the city may SHIRE in the
benefits to the maxinlun extent:
A CONSISTENT PROGRAM.
The developing OF n more beautiful,
more healthful, more convenient, more
attractive, more comfortable city here
in FL PasO requires that attention be
paid to the following points IN ABOUT
THE ORDER As HERE NUMBERED
I. To afford convenient access to and
from every part Of the city, the suburbs,
,. Health and play for the masses
NeZiectinE NONE. Under this head
falls (for one fhinE) the parking Of
TIE canal rightOfTay through the city
and the establishing of public bathing
3. Attractive streets everywhere,
with wide curb parking and narrow
4. The ". +. Robinson Memorial
boulevard along the entire rim of the
west mesa from Sunset heights to
mount Franklin, around the point Of
the mountain at an elevation OF about
400 feet, and on to the Country club
and Fort Bliss.
>. Open spaces and Fairgrounds,
especially in connection with the new
high school, ali the public schools, and
the charity settlements I'm Chihuahuita.
6. Medium sized recreation parks.
:. Small show parks.
8. Improvement Of railroad property
fn the city.
O. Pleasure and scenic drives and
walks in and near the city.
10. Group public buildings with some
regard to future broad artistic effect.
IL. Long drives and distant resorts.
u. Large outlying park.
The thought and planning of all the
progressive people of this community
should be directed along the lines above
fOpfcaIIy suggested; all present eLpen-
dfture, any purchase of lands for public
purposes, all appropriations and bond
issues for parks and public work. and
all nj for N
velopmenf, ought to follow consistently,
substantially the schedule above marked
out. The ORDER rs above suggested
is the order of IMMEDIATE PAAC-
TTCAITTY rs well rs ULTIMATE WIS
DOM.
Highways and REPEATING.
No. IN the above program concerns
the opening Of closed streets, the I'M
prOvement of streets generally the re
plating Of i'll planned divisions OF the
city, the closing of unnecessary streets,
and especially the Designating ana pay
ing Of four OF five main highways TO
afford quick and slightly access TO every
part Of the city and suburbs one DIG
piece of new work before US under this
head is the proposed grand boulevard
or paseO from the heart of FL Paso to
the heart Of Ciudad JuareZ, crossing
the river on a free bridge OF concrete,
the bridge to be at least as wide as the
fun width Of the Street The boulevard
and bridge should be absolutely
straight and continuous from one end
to the other, as to loot walks and
driveway. and should be brilliantly
lighted throughout.
The approach on either side of the
river to the international line is not
fairly representative Of the stability,
the excellence, and the attractiveness
Of either city. The condition is far
worse on this side than on the other,
for in lower FL PasO any one Of the
approaches TO the boundary takes the
visitor through the ugliest, least sani-
tary, least attractive, and least credit
able section of the city as it is today.
The possession of Juarez in q. foreign
country as a show place is one of FL
PasO'S most valuable assets. We have
never given half enough thought or
attention to this most important of the
city's attractions Of all the tens of
thousands of people who annually pass
through FL Paso or visit the city for
brief periods, a very small proportion
acuuaint themselves with the finer
residence sections, but every single
one goes TO JuareZ once or many times.
Self interest alone requires that we
present a better appearance to tourists
and short time visitors, by creating a
suitable boulevard TO connect the two
cities. And the free bridge, which
would greatly promote social and com