Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-08-31

this, our city 10y any act of dishOnes-
~ or COWardiCu, nor ever desert our
suffering comrades In the ranks; we
viii fight for the ideals and sacred
things Of the city both alone and
with many, we viii revere and obey
the city's laws ana do our best to in
cite like respect and reverence in
those above us who are prone 10
annul or set them at naught, we will
strive increasingly TO quicken the peo-
pies sense Of civic duty; thus in all
ways we viii transmit this city not
less but greater better and more
beautiful than It was transmitted 90
us
City Offers Little Present.
The past is gone, the future lies
before. In city building there is no
present, to stand still is to 20 back
wards, and TO grow nuge without
order or beauty is the worst of all. A
city Of slums, of dirty streets, OF tcnc-
mcnts, of noise and smoke, is no iit
place for men TO live.
Here in Tulsa we are beginning.
4 hundred years from now men viii
look back on our work and pronounce
it good or bad and it is ours 10 choose.
If it is to be done well, we must
pause and take stock of what we are
doing and how we are doing it,.
Are our streets suitable to the uses
TO which they are put? Are our high
ways wide or narrow If narrow,
they must be widened DO they open
up proper parts of the outlying dis
tricts? II not, new ones must be laid
out.
Are our railroad terminals properly
located? VIII traffic and switching in
q
city? A proper site for a union sta
tiou should be set apart and the rail-
roads forced to join in the plan.
Are our parks wen located, and are
we spending the public money so that
in after years there shall be open
space for all the people in the densely
populated districts? II not, the pro-
per plans should be made now.
Are we preserving the river front
for ourselves and for the future?
Arc we locating our public build
! inEs to the best advantage, SO that
they shall be an ornament to the city,
| From present indications we are not.
Things That Should BE Done.
These are the things we must con-
slider We are not only using up the
revenues of the present. we are mort
| gaging the future, and we must take
stock and see what We are doing. In
/ public affairs, the people must all join
| in forcing the popular Will. II does
not avail to criticise public officers.
when the people take no interest till
after the thing is done. II our water
works is inefficient, we must compel
proper service. II property owners do
not plat their additions suitably we
! should lay out comprehensive plan
and compel them to follow It. What
ever increase in value there may be,
| comes from the city, and the city
should demand that wide streets and
parks and open spaces be provided.
These things we can do. We hope
and know that the city will grow lar
ger. We believe that It will be first
in the state and one OF the most mag
nificcnt in the Southwest.
II should be an example to all
others Of good government in eco
nomical government. and in orderly
growth.
We can group our public buildings
SO that they may be an ornament not
only to the city but To the world. We
can utilize the natural beauty spots so
that our park system will be as fine as
any
The public already owns the high
school grounds and the site is already
unsuitable for school. To transfer
the title from the school district to the
city is only a matter Of bookkeeping.
and to open up this square would give
the city an open space for all time.
These things will come. for the peo-
pie already see the wonderful vision
Of the future. The city not only large
but the city beautiful-and n system
Of government under which every doll
lar must be accounted for, so that tho
people all may know what that dollar
has brought them in return for It's
spending.