South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-20
CITY'S PROGRESS
IN PAST 10 YEARS
HAS BEEN UNIQUE
Population of Michigan Me-
tropolis Has Nearly Dou-
bled In Decade.
BY G. j. COOPER


and then goes on in detail TO prove
its truth.
The 1920 federal census gave Niles
a population Of a little more than
1000 inhabitants. Today Il is con-
servatively estimated that more than
5000 men. women and children re-
side within the city's corporate Inn
it's Ten years ago Niles population
was around 5000. This will give
some IDEA or the growth OF the city.
But this growth IN population has
not been the only growth in Niles
during the past 10 years. Today
there are q Industrial plants oper-
ating kithin its borders. turning out
IS diversified products at an aggre-
gate annual output valued at moro
than $4,000, 900
Large Freight Terminal.
This city has within it's borders
the largest single freight terminal
yards between Chicago and New
York constructed az a cost OF more
than $4,000. 600 and normally en-
pIoying IN the neighbOrhood OF 1 500
we'll paid men.
But Niles industrial growth has
not reached It's end Manufactur-
ing concerns from other states. in
Guiding Chicago. are now seeking
sites here. The city's transportation
facilities and its geographical loca-
ton appeal 10 manufacturers seek
ing new and more promising loca-
tons
And although Niles now has the
largest single freight terminal yards
between Chicago and New York, the
Michigan Central Railroad co. al
ready has the plans and specf1 cations
prepared for doubling the present
size OF these yards at a probable
cost OF more than $4,000. 900. and
expects 20 begin construction on az
least part OF the additional terminal
Yards soon after the first Of the year
When completed these additional
yards VIII give employment TO at
least 500 more men.
Half Million Hotel
Then in addition to the coming
expansion OF the citys Industrial
world and the doubling in size and
capacity or its present railroad yards
Niles IS about 10 erect a modern
hotel at a cost OF nearly $500, 600.
In fact. construction upon the new
hotel building IS expected to start
during the present month.
But this IS not all. The board OF
education Is PLANNING 20 build addi-
lions TO the present Niles High
school building costing approximate
" $500. 600 In fact. the bonds for
tho proposed additions have already
been authorized, and the board OF
education has already advertised for
bids for the work.
In other words. Niles Is planning
20 expend within the immediate
future nearly 100000 I'm public
and private improvements in the
city. These $4,000 900 to be expend-
ed in private and public improve
ments DO not include what IS 20 be
spent by the city during the coming
year IN street and sewer improve
ments.
Paving Projects.
Already the city council has laid
out a comprehensive program in
street paving and sewer building TO
begin during the early part OF next
spring Niles now has many miles
OF improved streets. but the growth
and expansion OF the city call for
more. Realizing that there Is to be
a heavy demand during the coming
year FOR street Improvement work.
city officials have asked properly
owners desiring streets paved TO pre-
for such work as soon as possible I'm
order that there VIII be no delay
caused by the need for preliminary
work when the time for doing actual
paving work arrives.
In other words, Niles feels the
approach OF prosperity. Whether
the country returns 20 what Pres't
Harding calls normally or not this
city proposes 70 continue its growth
and Advancement. Its officials arc
endeavoring TO work hand in hand
with the other interests OF the COM
munity for the growth and advance
ment OF the whole community.
There seems to be something about
Niles that causes its inhabitants 70
always endeavor 70 advance the citys
interests. And this something seems
20 follow those who give up their
residence and move elsewhere. John
and Horace Dodge We're once Niles
residents.
New Homes.
They moved away still their love
for the little city nesting along the
banks OF the picturesque and his
toric St. Joseph river was 50 great
that they loaned a half million dol
lars with which 20 carry on build
inr activities in the community.
And now that John and Horace
Dodge are dead. their estate with
the same patriotic spirit displayed
BY the two brothers. has recently
taken over a. houses built IN Niles
az the time the railroad terminal
Yards were constructed here by tho
Michigan Central Railroad CO. and
is putting into these dwellings tho
modern touches omitted by the
builders and Is preparing 20 put
them on the market at reasonable
rental and purchase prices
The estate OF the late Dodge
Brothers which - known as the
Dodge Brothers Realty Co, OF De-
troft Mich So now spending up
wards OF SIS 600 I'm fully complet-
ing these 47 houses and placing them
on the rental and purchase market
at such figures that will Sgreaty aid
IN aleviating Niles housing conges-
ton. q congestion that IS character
tstic Of practically every city IN the
United States that has at all kept
pace with the march OF progress.
Country Club.