The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-05-04

eastern or western city hau the ouO
stantial start, advantageous location
and transportation facilities tnal
Johnson City possesses in such fuli
measure that it would not be hiding
its light under a bushel but be pro-
claiming itself far and wide as the
CITY of destiny and that an active
campaign would be in continuous
progress to effect this.
Just what are we doing toward
such ends and are we earnestly
striving to make Johnson City what
It ought to be-the best place for
residence, business and all that
makes life worth living? 1t is easily
demonstratable that as Gateway 10
the Southern Appalachians Johnson
City should not have its equal IN all
the long stretch from Washington TO
Chattanooga.
1t is unfortunately true that con-
siderable body of our citizens are
apathetic in these matters and that
&c n result the heat and burden of the
day falls on small but enthusiastic
number who are always alive TO the
hest interests of the city and ffeely
contribute of their time and money
to these ends. The contrast Is
marked to some of the thriving towns
on the other side of the Blue Ridge
where all are working to the same
end and accomplishing things. Too
many, unfortunately, are content to
let matters drift, to let well enough
alone. and in many cases, let 1t De
whispered, are only too willing to SIT
idly by and enjoy the added mere
ment produced by the work of 9TH
ers in the upbuilding of the city. This
condition is not peculiar to Johnson
CITY by any means, but the time is
now ripe when each citizen should
wake up to his duty and opportunity
and feel it a pleasure to cooperate
in every legitimate way to advance
the material, moral and intellectual
progress of his home town. In this
the material side is placed first, for
once a solid business foundation ex-
lists and prosperity is assured the
other results will surely follow.
But why be pessimistic as to the
future? Is it not fact that only
five or six years ago the COWS
browsed in the streets and occasion
ally by way of desert helped them
selves to the grocer's cabbage? Now
look, we have only the tumble-down
front yard fences and gates TO re-
mind us of that primitive period. Is
it not true that but few years ago
wagons stalled in the heart of the
business district and that Fountain
Square was an eyesore open to the
gaze and comment of passing Pull
man passengers? What city, it may
be reasonably asked, can show such
permanent and substantial improve
ments in so short time?
All this is true. Visitors, almost
without exception, have always a
good word to say of our city-0UR
city, not some one else's city. TRAY
cling men add their tribute by say
ing unreservedly that everything con-
sdered no town on their circuit has
the advantages of johnson City. Now
the question before us is how to SO
capitalize these acknowledged adj
vantages so as to draw therefrom
regular interest in the form of a
steady increase of population and
building up all those things which
make life worth living on this planet.
Johnson City is the Gateway to the
Southern Appalachians, made so by
Nature, and should be prominent
tourist center. To this end we need
modern hotels and boarding houses
away from the center and on the hills
and thus easily attract tourist pop
ulation of 1000 each summer, to say
nothing of the transient trade of
those going to the mountains. To the
up-building of such trade modern ho-
tells and roads in the mountains are
essential.
We are hampered now by lack of a
Union Station and the continued adj
vertisement such structure would
be to the town. Lack of street, plan
ming in the center and consequent |
congestion is most unfortunate, but is
still capable of correction in large |
measure. A fine straight boulevard |
to the Soldiers Home from the Mar
row Gauge station is a recognized
need of the future. Burials in the
cemetery should at once be stopped
and provision made for it's ultimate
removal to more appropriate site
in the country. A broad boulevard
the three stations and
parking of Brush Greek should be in
cluded in any comprehensive plan of
also parks and play
grounds.
To the minds of many well-informed
people city of $4,000. with well bal
1nnnd ncfivitias and good govern