South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-30

boulevard system which entertains
the laying off OF a paved roadway
along an extensive stretch of the St.
Joseph river. TO the north and to
the south and east. but a feeling OF
dismay has come with every mention
Of the unstghthness OF the river in
the heart Of the city.
Arior l. Dampencd.
From Lasalle av. north. trees and
natural foliage line the rivers bank.
and from jefferson blvd. south
beautiful terrace surmounts a stone
wall that ia Tapped by the rivers
waters. But between these thorough
fares. less than 1000 feet in dis
lance. the west bank of the river
has greatly dampened the ardor OF
those who would call South Bend
the city beautiful"
a great improvement from what
was shown in former years has al
ready been effected. Many OF those
owners OF property adjoining the
rivers edge have here and there
taken pains to beautify their parts
OF the precipituous bank and the
level ground between the bank and
neglected their share of the general
cleanup and the general condition
Of the bank affords hut little relief
refuse. including scrap iron, old
shoes and tin cans abound on what
should be the city's most picturesque
and beautiful Of landscapes.
The winding course OF the st. Jo-
seIh river. its great bend. elbowtns
it, way into the heart OF the city
and from which the city originated
it's name. affords a natural means
by which 10 lay out any future plans
for the clty's Identification. No
greater opportunity in this respect
- given TO any other city. The liver
has been and probably viii continue
TO be the inspiration OF those men
whose business il ia 20 make the
city beautiful and OF thousands
whose perpetual desire IL is TO i'm
prove the appearance Of the city in
which they make their homes
To Beautify Island"
or this stretch Of the river bank
which lies between Jefferson blvd.
and Lasalie av., the city owns only
a small part. but what It has is near
the center OF the eXpanse. The inn
provement proposed by the water
works board OF commissioners.
which viii include the Identification
CT the island on which stands an
abandoned reservoir. Will however
be the first steps toward cleaning
up this part OF the river bank and
will initiate a move which Is expect
ed 10 be voluntarily followed BY in
dlvldual property owners looking 70
the parking or and terracing their
land 20 the waters edge.
Factories on the east bank or the
river opposite the affected section
do not interfere harshly with the
landscape continuing from Howard
park and down the river. Where the
walls OF factory buildings rise from
the water or where the race IL skirt
ed with a wall banked against knobs
covered with grass-sward there is
evidence OF the necessary and IL not
strain upon the eyes But where
side and rear yards are poorly kept
and refuse gathers and overfiows
the banks. as a view OF the west
bank plainly shows. lovers or the
city beautiful sound joyous welcome
10 the inauguration OF the move 20
begin the necessary cleaning up CO
a dump IN the very heart OF the city.
The actual beginning OF the move
70 clean up the city's part OF the
district affected YVES last spring
when the contract awarded TO the
Chnsman Construction Co. for the