Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-13

T.. z. Wallower, who took an active
part in the 1912 movement for civic
betterment, says: II feel enthusiastic
rying out of the improvements planned
in 1901. From their inception to their
execution by faithful enterprising Of
ficials, who had a broad grasp of the
situation, 1t has been a harmonious
and grand success. | find that Har-
risburg has a wide reputation for mu-
nicipal spirit and public enterprise.
The Publicity Campaign of 1901 has
more than redeemed its promises. The
growth of the city due to the improve
ments has increased valuation to such
an extent that the expected increase
of taxes has not been necessary. At
the same time the sinking funds have
absorbed a large part of the loan.
The mass of our citizens has been edu-
Gated and permeated with the import
ance and necessity for civic improve
ments. Our people are willing to pay
for them when the money is economi-
cally and efficiently expended. In this
respect we have been remarkably for
tunate. l regard the loan and the inn
provements as municipal investment
which will bring good results, the same
as judicious advertising in business
tors to the $4,000 fund to secure the
services of Mr.. Fuertes. Mr.. Manning
and Mr.. Sherrerd, published recently
in the Telegraph, l was shocked to
learn that in the space of fourteen
years. about rs per cent of the entire
list, representing many of Harris
burg's leading citizens, who were
deeply interested in the city's welfare
have passed away"
r. \. Hicllok, of the Hickok Manu-
featuring Company
1T is only necessary for a citizen
teen years, to realize what wonderful
strides have been made in that time
Our city had then dirty, dusty streets,
few lights, microbe-polluted water
supply, a river front smothered in
sewage and no parks. This has al
changed and Harrisburg today ranks
with any city of it's size in the world
for everything that makes city life
healthy and pleasant
However, the citizens of Harrisburg
| have work yet to do and this progress.
sive spirit must not be allowed to
slumber. BY all means, we must pro.
tect our wonderful, natural gift, the
River Front, from all spoilation."
Farley Gannett, well-known con-
sulting engineer who assisted in the
original investigation of tre Harris
burg conditions, writes:
Thirteen years ago l came to Har.
risburg at the request of James H
Fuertes, Consulting Engineer, to as
sist in the municipal improvements
which were proposed for Harrisburg
At that time Harrisburg had a popula.
tion of about $4,000, it's streets were
mostly unpaved. its sewer system wa:
not a SYSTEM at all but was simply e
lot of sewer pipes discharging into
the river and Paxton Creek at every
street crossing, creating nuisance.
which were most distasteful to those
residing along those streams. The
water supply taken unpurified from
the Susquehanna was so black and un,
healthy that one hesitated to use /
either for bathing or drinking Floods
inundated the lower portion of tn,
Paxton Creek valley and caused heav,
damage every few years. The Susque
hanna River flowed by In its great
mile-wide expanse unused and un
purified. It was devoted to no othe
use but to carry off the filth and debris
resulting from the city's activities
Paxton Creek was foul smelling val
Lley along which no one wanted to llv