The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-11-23

' 'Hli - A'iif ~ wv ' 'llhNN VI 'N'h' ~ ~
tiated q movement for the paving of every
street IN Albuquerque. 4 ommittc was
appointed to make a thorough investigation and
10 propose to the city commissioners a program
which would provide for the paving of the entire
city.
It was suggested nj the time that legislation
might he necessary in order to make such a program
possible. II that is the case it is time now for some
thing definite to be put before the people so that
there may he a thorough discussion and understand
ing of what is proposed. II would be far better TO
have this discussion before the legislation has been
secured or sought, chan to have any disagreement
among our people after the legislation has been
enacted.
There is no room for doubt that Albuquerque
needs this paving program, and there is also no
reason 10 Goubt that u program can be worked
out which will permit the paving of the entire city
NJ a cost that is spread over a period of time that
viii make 1t possible for every foot of property 10
bear its share without feeling amy appreciate addi-
tional load.
There is no question but that the paving of the
entire city would SO add 10 the value of property
throughout the city and would so stimulate growth
as to absorb several times over the total paving
cost incurred by every owner of real estate long
before full payment of that cost had become due.
There is NO questioning the fact that the streets
of Albuquerque are in a condition only 10 bc de.
scrihcd aS awful. One has only 10 pick amy street
in the city and drive or walk over rs full length
10 realize The condition. If one makes the "trip it an
automobile, the result is a shattered spinal column.
II one makes it on foot the result is a disaster in
dust or a mess of mud, according 10 the weather.
The women of Albuquerque know better than the
men what this constant, ever rising cloud of dust
means in energy expended and in home discomfort.
Not "a street in the city is free from il.
The doctors and health Experts are quite united
in their opinion about the dust. II is n menace 10
health will not stay whore the dust pcrSiSts as II
hrlath will 81 stay where the dust persists as it
does here. We are left with no room for doubt as
10 what continuation Of the present condition
means.
80 one familiar with the municipal finances
can hope for any early relief from bad streets and
the dust menace from the city treasury. The city
does not have the money now for repairing the
streets and has no early prospect of getting II, with
"ut an increase IN taxation. which if secured
through legislation, would impose u fer heavier
burden on owners of real estate lin the long run
than would be imposed by the proportionatc cost of
general paving.
The city government is doing its level best. 1t
works such Sprlnkling equipment as il has at its
command and has means TO operate, and works 1t
overtime, The best the city government can do is 10
run a sprinkler over the used. central roadway of
q given street twice or thrice a week. The road
sides where dust accumulates are not reached. The
dust is not laid, but is banked alongside and the
first passing vehicle Stirs " into Swirling clouds.
The statements made here are bad advertising
for Albuquerque. They are not half so bad advcr-
tiSing as the conditions they outline.