Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-07-19

Publishers Free Trader.lournal
Ottawa. III.
Gentlemen: Ottawa Is developing
unusual Interest in home building,
It's people love their homes, They
are removing unsightly things that
mar their beauty. surrounding them
with trees. shrubs and flowers and
paving the roadways that lead TO
them At great expense there nave
been erected many commercial
houses. factories and educational es'
adjustments They aid In general
development. furnish employment
and provide means for maiqtaining
the city's homes. All at present are
at the mercy Of the fire iiend. owing
10 the fact that Otlawa's department
is in dilapidated condition and ut
terly inadequate for protection, II
will require $4,000 bond Issue 10
make IL effective. The saving OF IN
surance would more than Offset the
expense. BuL the city is short or
funds and the bond issued is there
fore necessary Voters who care for
their homes. their families. their jobs
should vote for il at the election ON
the 9TH instant. and remove the
terrible fire menace that confrpnts
them.
The $4,000 bond Issue required for
replacing the death trap ON Main
street over the side cut will. in the
interest of safety. undoubtedly in
huence a sufficient number To carry
the election for it.
Another bond issue for 100000 is
necessary for paving the west hill
leading into South Ottawa and the
road from the south end OF the Hi
nois river bridge west To the new city
limits. II done now 1t will insure com
pletion with federal aid to the con
crete now leading to Starved Rock.
This expensive hog.wallow approach
is a nuisance. an insult to tourists
we are guiding through Ottawa and a
disgrace TO the city.
The three bond issues noted above
are essential to the safety and prog
ress of Ottawa. Their aggregate
amount would add so little to the tax
burden as hardly To be noticed.
The only crossing of the' Fox river
from the east side is the Main street
bridge. The traffic borne by il causes
great congestion at its approaches,
II has but one sidewalk. and that is
on the north side The c., o. &. p.
railway owns and occupies the south
section OF the bridge, In close prox-
unity to the east end OF il are the
| high school and state armory. They
| stand in line. adjacent to each other
| on the south side of the street, fac
ing the congested entrance to the
bridge. where protection To crowds
frequentipg them is of imperative ne
| cessity. Their siiewalk cannot be ex-
| tended across tie river with ihe rail
road in its present position.
A plan has been prepared for a
new bridge. the full width OF the
street, designed to harmonic with the
city's esthetic sense. is natural
beauty and its demand for practical
utility. The plan provides for a car
track in the center, roadway on Ell.
Their side wide enough for vehicles to
pass each other and a sidewalk on
the south as we'll as the north, both
sidewalks to be in line with those
now on Main street. Unless the peo-
pie vote on the 26th instant to grant
the G., o. & P. railway a franchise
10 enable it to make the change as
shown in the plan, il will remain
, where it is on its own property.
There positively will be no sidewalk
on the south side of the bridge A
walk there is Of especial importance
as life saver Without it, hundreds
Of scholars at close OF school laugh
ing, shouting and iostling each 9TH
er. are turned loose four times a day
for five days in the week to cross the
danger zone at the end Of the brideg
in order to reach the only sidewalk
leading west.
Thousands who attend conventions
and evening meetings in she high
school and armory buildings must
also run the gauntlet. Failure to use
all means possible to prevent acct
dents at this point would be cruel
oversight Vote for the franchise.
This is not the time to grow mis-
trustful Give these matters fair and
unprejudiced consideration. They
are of vital importance. Our people
have struggled long to place their
city on a higher plane; 1t is getting