La Junta tribune., 1916-10-21
WHITE WAY DREAM BUSTED
Our City Council Knocks White Way
Dream Into "A Cooked iiat-Al-
together Too Expensive


La Junta's dream OF city beau
tiful, with a white way that would
be an ornament to this community,
and an evidence by day and night
OF the progressive spirit of its citi-
zens, was knocked higher than
Gilroy's kite at an adjourned meet
ing Of the city council last Tuesday
night. There were only five members
of that distinguished body present
at this meeting, and three OF them
decided that white way was too
much OF luxury for the benighted
citizens OF this community to afford
at the present juncture.
This decision was arrived at not
withstanding the fact that the prop
erty owners along Colorado and
Santa Fe avenues, and the adjoin
ing cross streets as far south as
Fourth street. had signified their
willingness and agreed to install the
necessary ornamental posts at their
own expense, and without one cent
OF cost to the city. and the further
fact that a petition signed by nearly
every business and professional man
In La Junta had been presented to
that august body requesting them to
bear the moderat expense of fur
nishing the necessary electrical en-
ergy TO make the white way blaze
OF glory In the night time. Such an
innovation would advertise to the
whole world that La Junta is pro-
gressive and up to date community,
and Il would likewise be source
OF pride to every resident within
the corporate limits. Such luxuries.
however. are not to be. for there are
for this community, and what the
people can afford. better than the
dear people themselves know. In
ten years the extra expense to the
city would amount TO sl2 2.O00. and
In one hundred years 4, would
amount to $4,000. and In one
thousand years To something over
a million. One of the aldermen had
figured this out. so II was no won
der the three aldermen decided to
pause. think deeply and seriously.
and take plenty OF time to reflect.
For single year. however. the add
ed tax burden to a property owner
who pays taxes on $1,000 worth OF
property would be Just exactly
thirty cents.
The proposition OF Installing an
ornamental lighting system along
Colorado and Santa Fe avenues ms
far south as fourth street, has been
under consideration by the city
council for several weeks. C. W.
Nilliken. local manager OF the Ar
kansas Valley Railway. Light and
Power Company. has been working
on the scheme for three months and
had secured the signatures OF nearly
every property owner In the terri
tory affected 10 nm agreement In
which they consented TO bear the ex-
peDse OF installing the necessary or
namental posts. All the city was
asked TO do was TO pay for the extra
current required for lighting. or
about 800 per month more than Is
now paid for street lighting.
Al the recent meeting Of the coun.
ell the matter was brought up for
final determination one wny or the
other. Alderman Warner made q
motion that the proposition sub
mitted by the Arkansas Valley Rail-
way. Light and Power Company 10
Install and maintain the proposed
new lighting system be accepted.
This motion WAS seconded by Alder.
man Draper. and the vote. with Al.
derman Stubbs absent. resulted ~
follows:
Ayes-1Drapev and Warner.
Nays-Mapes. lslAsklaship and
Marshall.
la Junta's white way will now
requiescat en- pace for an indefinite
period. and Il may be until Gabriel
blows his last trump. unless the cjtj.
aaas ~ II Ynaea - AM.~ >.A