El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-08

w at the election held last
sition. turned the ordinance down.
they acted better than they knew;
they saved the city and future gen
Grafton thousands and we might say
millions Of dollars. not counting
other benefits TO be derived. equally
valuable.
Too Valuable For Tracks.
The railroads now occupy some
so blocks in the heart Of the city.
all OF which. excepting a small per-.
centage. much too valuable TO be
used as It is. and much Of it in
such a way as not only to be a
thorough nuisance, but a menace to
life and health
There is no doubt. the voters had
in mind the possibility Of some day
section Of the city and occupying
more suitable territory
1t has been said that this is not
practical but where there is a viii,
people OF this city 10 act. and IL
the truth were more generally
known, II would be found that this
viii not be a difficult matter TO
adjust.
Our idea. which We wish to pre-
sent 20 the people OF FL Paso for
consideration, is for the city 10
acquire this railroad property and
such other land as may be necessary,
and lay out boulevard, similar 10
the one illustrated This boulevard
would extend from the union station
following the present railroad lines
through the main part OF the city II
could be extended east as far as Aus
TIN Terrace and farther as time
might require A future extension
west over the railroad viaduct and
along the river bank up through the
smelter section would make a beau
tiful scenic drive
ReetanEles Not Essential
Our sketch shows the boulevard
extending 20 Pledras street To de-
velop this would take not TO exceed
halt OF the railroad property acquired. .
Would Pay For Itself
pom the completion OF this bOule-
ward. the Improvement so made
would enhance the value Of the bal
ance or the property TO such an eN-
tent that its sale by the city would .
net enough 10 pay for the cost Of the Z
entire Improvement. including the
Iirst cost OF the land. It will also I
enhance the value Of the adjoining .
and nearby property 70 a very large !
extent and the increased taxes 10 be Z
derived in the future. resulting from
this Improvement. would be enormous
Many people viii say that We as
architects are only interested in the
side OF this question. and.
" ME We admit that the possibilities
and benefits for beauty are very large
and as q matter OF fact quite as i'm
portant and necessary in the growth
or city as the mere business or
financial side, we wish TO show that
thls IS business proposition that
upon investigation. viii prove one
mat viii pay big dividends and there
lore should have the backing OF all
taxpayers
Part OF City Growth Plan.
We wish also to show that it IS a
IS forming a part Of a COMPREHENSIVE
plan Tor future growth and develop
nent- It viii provide a means for
proper transportation The residence
section OF the city is rapidly moving
eastward and the city in the future
5ill have TO grow principally in that,
ilrecllOn and We need now some
means OF rapid transit to get back
ma forth from our homes and bust
less This proposed scheme lends it.
Ell lully to this purpose While two
I TOUR surface tracks could be now
seq, future might contemplate a /. -
uoWay with express electric cars.
wen with surface tracks. express
ars could be operated so that the
line not taken 10 90 to the Fort Bliss
ection would be cut in half Fverv- Z
ne viii recognize the necessity or
lore rapid transit and street car ser
ice, and many more people would
ave homes IN the eastern section Of
le CITY II We mad a proper service for {
citing back and forth.
And so We call the attention OF the
eople OF this city to a scheme that
E ems 10 US very necessary. one that =
'lll eliminate one OF our worst T
llsances. one that viii be a money 4
aH- ser anu, besides being useful. can y
e made one or the most beautiful g
arkWays IN the United States. rival -
ng the Champs Elysee OF Paris. no =
oupt the finest driveway IN the
Al! Al Cities Working similarly.
When We see practically ali the
.rge cities making efforts towards
" improvements along esthetfc
mes and We find them spendinR
lormous sums in order to secure the
me, We might ask why is it2 III
1u VIII investigate YOU viii find thar
ie people with a large vision know
.aJ II pays. One OF the first cities TO
Ike Up this part Of civic affairs was
y city or Cleveland. a city having a
pulatlon Tor one Of the most beautf-
l. ~ ,-I eslS IN America. Euclid avenue.
~ C4eF eland was not satisfied and
Z her eyes towards a more resDlend-I
u future and planned accordingly.
rom l. johnson, who was one OF
most competent business man.
.ers city ever had. said: 'sUnderI
nat IS called economy in citv gov
nnenJ, there is much foolish hold
3 PACK OF necessary public im-I
9Eements- Good sanitary conditions.
.olc parks and parkways. play
ounds. etc. are the best Kind OF
veStments. while the absence OF
en- entails not only a heavy pecuu-
aFy loss, but operates 10 the moral
u physical deterioration OF the
y Inhabitants. Limitation on 4
Xes for public works Is as foolish
limitation on increase in capital In
ccessIul business enterprises"
Parks Cheapest Of Necessities.
PUBIC improvements and parks
We oeen the cheapest Of the great 3
inlcipal necessities. They have GER
My been cheaper than jails and
Or houses. and they have furnished
-i tiie.I Use, IseIuLness that ounce OF pre-
ation that has saved many pounds