The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-09


Speaking on the subject. Civic
Possibilities OF Wheeling John Wal
lace. secretary OF the Municipal I'm
provement League. delivered an ex-
cellent address at the monthly meet
Ing OF the Mems club Of ST Luke's
= + church last night. The meet
Ing was held IN the lecture room OF
the church and was largely attended
II was followed By a short social ses-
sion.
Mr.. Wallace enumerated As some
civic needs that were possibilities.
parks and Fairgrounds maintained bv
the city: rapid transit 20 the suburbs
through hiu-tunneling schemes: pub.
lie comfort stations: removal OF
poles and overhead obstructions on
business streets. elevation above
Hood danger of certain streets. uni
form paving OF sidewalks with con
crete: purer water supply and more
equitable rating OF water charges
improved sewer system and removal
OF private vaults. street signs at
every corner and proper house mum.
bering public bathing beaches: an
neNation Of suburbs within the Ave.
cent trolley zone in Ohio county and
a commission government charter
with certain home rule features re
gsrding revenue matters and other
wise.
lie also favored a policy by the
board OF education OF acquiring ad-
joining property near the school
houses so as TO provide larger school
Fairgrounds. and of the construction
OF auditoriums In all school build
lngs OF the future so as TO provide for
nelghborhood social centers.
In view OF the ground limitations
TOT parks within the city limits. Mr.
wallace suggested the acquisition of
small squares bN condemnation. suc-
costing square fronting on the river
as preferable. South OF the creek
where the land is subject to floods
oHered possibilities at moderate cost
Greater wheeling" Important.
First of all there should be the
necessary civic pride or public spirit
TO back these undertakings. Mr.. Wal
lace continued. and he doubted II this
could come sufficiently until the
greater Wheeling unit was estal-
lished to take the place of CITY ward
divisions and suburban village divi-
stons He advocated the union of the
city and suburbs in a commission
charter as the first step to the perfect
ing OF a City Plan or definite pro
Eram Tor community betterment in
The greater territory was absolute.
~ necessary. he said. for the physical
improvements necessary in a N y
scheme OF creek diversion. park sys-
tenn or tunneling projects. and equal
~ necessary to obtain the benefit of
the high order OF citizenship resident
IN the suburbs. yet naturally interest
60 IN the city proper. as well as in
the mutual advantages to follow.
Mr.. Wallace added that public CON
ndence and city planning had follow
ca commission government He SAID
public improvements could hardly
get anywhere under the present com
plicated machinery but were easily
pushed to completion through the me
dlum OF single. working body. Such
improvements as he discussed. ne
said, need not be taken all at once.
ana would naturally require the mort
gaging Of the citys future through
bond issues. but he was satisfied these
would be supported by the people
when they had confidence in their
municipal management and in their
necessity
With sufficient civic pride and
systematic development of the posi-
bilities, Mr.. Wallace predicted that
the new Wheeling would be- the gem
city of the Ohio valley. TO the en-
HANGED benefit of all concerned