Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-11
Another View of II.
Editor Kennebec Journal:

Editor Kennebec Journal:
In plans for the Identification or
Water street it should not be forgot
ten that the street is dedicated to pus-
mess and that every convenience SO
far as public regulations OF its use
goes should hold this end steadily ana
wholly in view.
The street is neither park or
thoroughfare except for undesirables
who are officially invited to get out
of town. It's market place where
trafficking is invited in every descrtp-
ton of merchandise coming within the
scope of human wants.
This purpose and this fact gives 1t
peculiar character over mere
thoroughfare or a promenade and a
market place with no goods exposed
to public inspection as some esthetic
souls in the community appear to con-
slider a desirable thing, would be like
the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left
out.
Every convenience and every priv
ilege not inconsistent with the safety
and convenience of the public should
be given our merchants to conduct
their business and the nature and di-
versity of the business should be con-
sidered before any plan of uniformity
is adopted. A provision or fruit store
must have different accommodations
and different methods of display ad-
veitising from a jewelry store.
Our distinguished mayor has COM
planned because the electric railroads
operating under general system re-
gard this town as a way instead of a
terminal station, but this complaint
NAV now be dismissed if the present
city government has plans for max
ing Water street a thoroughfare for
residents as we'll as tramps, in or
der that automobile visitors may en-
Joy an unobstructed view from the
foot of Rines hill to the overhead rail-
road bridge or vice versa.
No indications of active business
should be allowed to mar the beauty
OF the scene. Tray stands displaying
fruit and vegetables in front of stores,
overhanging signs, awnings, campaign
banners in their season, drummers
boxes and even Barker's bear must
go under the imperial edict.
The esthetic has superseded the &C.
onomic and Water street must move
up in appearance to the uniform ana
beautiful lines of Commonwealth av-
enue.
Mere than once the Journal has
called attention to reckless motorists
on Water street and signs are post
ed all over the city warning automo-
bilists against exceeding q certain
speed within certain limits and these
restrictions designed to secure the
equal use of the streets to all the peo-
pie under safe and convenient condi-
tons are justified in theory, II not
supported by practice in prosecutions
for violations of them
Official eyes, so sensitive to observe
the staggering gait of drunken man
ana official hands SO apprehensive to
pull him in, are blind to the obserVa-
ton of these continued and obvious
violations of the law, which make
crossing Water street at various points
more difficult and dangerous than the
Rines hill railroad crossing, now hap
pily abolished. Let us in any event
ADDRESS ourselves to the larger mat
ters. which affect the safe and con-
venient use of the street. first. Suisse
ouently smaller matters may be refer
red to the feminine department of the
CITY government and provision made
for the appointment of a municipal
buster and a microbe inspector.
w.
Anguish