El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-01-27

HE greatest wear IN the history Ell Paso and the
southwest Just beginning. The next greatest year
has lust ended 1t surpassed all that have gone
before It spur to still greater accomplishment
In the year that Is at hand
The measure of 1855 achievements in the southwest
found in this Annual Review edition 1t contains great
deal which few IN the southwest know, and with which
everyone should familiar For instance, there not
Fl Pasoau but should take pride the knowledge that
1916 this CITY all its records for building with
construction value at 100000 As the account appears II
this paper the total for the year was o59O9 based on
building permits issued to the close of the year However
in the first few days of 1917 permits taken out
ing construction work commenced IN 1916, sufficient to bring
the total to 100000 The total for 1915 somewhat in
excess Of S3,5o0ooo
The aggregate valuation of FL Pasos building construc-
ton in 1916 not however give the picture of growth
1t is better by other figures In the past year. 200
homes built ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 in value
and hundreds Of others built which did not come
TO the $1,000 valuation There IS business buildings
costing $4,000 100000; 20 apartment and tenement
buildings, number OF automobile esaosnments 500
600 packing house. three churches two factories pub
lie comfort station and plant for the United States public
health service.
These figures do not include homes built outside the city
limits of which many erected in 1916
A great year for FL Paso? Who doubt It? Nothing
speaks eloquently and convncngly of ciys growth
as the numbers and the valuation of the buildings erected
Not population for population increases vary as TO
ouav and are uncertain as TO peraueuce Buildings on
the other hand remain long, their value doubtful and
their construction means solid confluence In the present
and future prosperity of the community
Observe then the fact that FL Pasos total valuation Of
building construction in the Just ended nearly dou
bic that of any previous year with the exception of 1915
1912 1915 From this the conclusions TO be deducted
obvious that they need be stated here
The coming of the many thousands Of national guards
to the border only part to be credited with Ell
Paso growth and with the prosperity which has caused
growth. FL PasO thriving nightly before the sol
dieI and will continue thriving IN the way after
the soldiers 60
But they have helped Upward of $1,000 regulars and
national guardsmen here have Sweed tremendously the
volume of local business counting the disburse
of the quarermases department which ranged from
100000 100000 month for the purchase of supplies
E. Pasos main benefit however has from the
old sources; CATTLE mines sheep, farming wholesale
chandise supplies and manufacturing. The
maintain and increase population Of 10000 has
from trade territory In New Mexico Arizona and
Texas which before in all their history had year for
development and money making like 1916 That accounts
for FL Pasos well being, IN very large measure and let
be forgotten for moment that FL Pasos future
bound up before the fortunes of the towns vii
lagos ranches and farms Of the surrounding territory.
Here other things directly and indirectly connected
with the growth of FL Paso In the past year:
FL Paso led ali the cities of the United States last
in total square yards of btuhic paving laid with
blocks eight miles costing $685. 1857 the program
for 1917 calls for 112 blocks besides 1877 blocks pet
toned for by property owners estimates for which have
yet been prepared
FL PasO has than 100 miles of splendid side
walks and 1t has the longest county highway the world
1876 miles, of which so have been paved The county spent
about $4,000 in 1916 good roads.
At the stocyards in this city received last year