The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-09
LETTERS TO EDITOR
IMPROVING FIRST AVENUE
he Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age-Herad:
 see in your paper this morning a move ment has been started by the citizens of Wood lawn, East Lake and others east of us, asking our city commissioners to develop First avenue from the viaduct to Roebuck; to make of same boulevard, which the English dictionary says is broad avenue, the French definition, in fact, being an avenue of beauty. Why not? And why should not we at this end of the ave- nue join in the petition to the commissioners and help put it through now?
 This avenue as a thing of beauty has always been the dream of us older citizens of the city, and it has been, and is now, as a whole, an eye sore In starting east up this beautiful valley, from the center of the city over a broad, well paved avenue 100 feet in width we come to the railroads spanned by magnificent viaduet which is credit to any city, and which will in time be monument to former commissioner and his associates, an achievement which re- fleets great credit to his and their perseverance in face of many discouraging conditions, and could be made thing of beauty, the entrance to we'll lighted, well paved French boule- ward.
 After passing over this entrance, the way is newly paved, broad avenue, 80 feet wide
 
 ing only lights, trees and shrubbery to complete. Then we come to Forty-frst street, and civiliza- ton stops there. Our avenue beautiful, of such great promise, narrows to a country road, practically in the same condition it was 30 wears ago, though now lined on either side with cleo tric light, telephone poles and negro shacks; no sidewalks, hardly passway, dangerous alike to the pedestrian and traveller in automobile or oHI lowed to exist. Why? Because ''the city has not the funds to condemn and widen the avenue" and ''the railway company cannot afford its pro rata portion of the pavement and the cost of strengthening it's line"
 We bump along with eyes fixed only on this narrow passway, fearing to look up moment lest we collide with man, beast, auto, truck jitney, electric car, light or telephone pole And should we by chance find the way clear with time to look up from this jungle, to rest an over strained eye, what do we find on either side? You had best keep your eye on the roadway or you will turn back, saying, "What is the use of struggling along any further? There can be nothing beyond such a gateway But having heard of the beautiful villages of Woodlawn and East Lake, the lake itself, Pershing Pier if you please, Howard college, the Boys Indus trial school with it's magnificent band, Roebuck golf links and swimming pool and the beautiful courtAy and homes beyond, you grit your teeth and go ahead until you reach Forty-fifth street.
 There the avenue opens up to 50 feet the narrow gauge widens out you breathe again the fresh air, your eye can take in the distant view of the mountains on either side of the valley and the beautiful sky above. But watch your step brother; there are holes and bumps still to be navigated and a sign looms ahead "Stop, Look and Listen,' for some 35 years ago two railroads given rights of way and the grade crossing lies ahead. Hold tight, sit firm; we have to cross at an angle of 45 degrees, and the roadway has not been built up to the top of the rails, because some day viaduct will be built here or the city will set the grade.
 At last you over and here the work of man begins to add to the beauty of nature, civ ilization once more; the avenue widens out to 80 feet again, homes on either side bright-faced children, trees and flowers. Our way is now clear; Woodawn has been reached churches schoolhouses, attractive store buildings and fire department. You wonder how it all got there, but here they are, and those are our fellow citizens who ask our commissioners for help, and it is up to us at this end of, the line to back up their efforts to have built this boulevard. First broaden, then beautify. Yours truly, RICHARD RANDOLPH.
 Birmingham, February ', 1922
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