Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1922-05-19
Two Towns

What about to say, the comparison we
about to institute may not conduce to a putting
up with local pride. but we hopeful that it may
be good for Phoenxs SOUL We believe in the virtue
Of introspection and know that there be
accurate introspection without the exercise of in
telligent circumspecton.
After prolonged absence, We have lately revis-
tied Tucson We amazed at the improvements
which have been made in that town and we could
not avoid comparison of it at many points with
Phoenix We are proud of Phoenix. of its growth, of
the impression it makes upon visitors notwithstand
ing another earlier impression made they We're
coming through debris-covered and unkempt
backyard, most dsgraceful shanty-town.
One enters Tucson through a we-kept railroad
yard and arrives at magnificent depot surrounded
by handsome grounds. The view in every direction
is pleasing one. We are perhaps not to blame so
much for the contrary view which present from
back door, for that is the the trains come
in, while at Tucson the approach is made from
other direction Here is difference of arrangements
for which the railroads are responsible. But after
ALL it seems that though backyard may not be
made imposing. it may be made at least presentable,
Some of speak foolishly OF Tucson Mex
lean town" Tucson has. it is true quaint quarter
and ancient one but It is really added atrac-
uon There is no section of it half as disreputable
many large in Phoenix. Everything appears
10 be neat and Wei Kept IN the ola Town. mere Is
nothing lying around loose unplaced.
In the alleys of the business section
i'll smelling garbage and boxes within which
haif-starved dogs and children forage for decayed
food.
Where there lawns. they well kept, the
trees trimmed to shapeiness. On return
struck by the contrast in this respect. In the
residential district. and in the business
district, what we had not noticed before,
--weedy lawns. dead trees. shaggy trees, broken
fences On the grounds of one of handsome semi
public buildings saw a large clump of weeds
sprnging from the base of telephone pole Now
and then some property owner keeps his grounds in
proper shape but that only accentuates the unkempt
of the general surroundings.
The streets Of Tucson everywhere are paved and
nowhere are they disfgured by street railway tracks.
There tracks there but they adornment
rather than otherwise They ribbons Of steel on
an exact level with the fitting asphalt
between and the side of the rails which
Of the modern flat type in contradistincton to
own ancient rails of the T type always projecting
above the of the paving and usually having
crossings and a sharp-edged flange for the
rapid destruction of automobile tires
But, IL the street railway system of Tucson has
modern flat rails it has not all the flatness there Is
We have something of fatness of which Tucson can
not boast-archaic flat wheels And nowhere along
the railway in little sierras of
pavement thrown up by the insecure rail shift
ing ties, and nowhere miniature canyons where the
pavement has been gouged out vehicle gdes
easily over Tucson crossings, whereas in Phoenix
every crossing is an adventure which may result in
broken spring a blown tire There is to. be
shaking up of occupants The noise of the negotia
ton of the crossing may be heard for block. and
used to it have become habitually turn to
see what has been wrecked
We saw not Haunting biboards in Tucson There
may be some there, but they do not to be
needed to hide the whered grasses, piles of empty,
rusty tin cans and other rubbish on vacant lots
During the time spent in Tucson there was
not, far could learn by careful inquiry. a
single slight automobile accident though in addition
the automobiles there, there hun
dreds from neghborng towns. What day has passed
in Phoenix in years without its quota of easily
avoidable motor casualties?
There many things which might with
profit take from Tucsons notebook and in saying
we are expressing lack of loyalty to Phoenix
appreciation of it's beauties.