Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-20
STREET PAVING.

\ tIe request OF property owners III the 10th
paving district, comprising Chestnut, Walnut and
Cottonwood streets, with the intersecting avenues,
the city commission has called a general meeting of
such property owners for Friday evening, at which
the deslrablllty of proceeding with paving work in
that district this year will be discussed. It is un-
derstood that 1t the sentiment at the meeting an
pears to warrant it, petitions will be circulated at
ONCE. and all owners will be given an opportunity
to express themselves in an effective way.
Whether or not these streets shall be paved
TINS year is tor the owners of the property affected
TO decide. The city commission l1as-as the old
city council had-legal authority to proceed with
such improvements on its own initiative, whenever,
IN its Judgment, the improvements are necessary in
the public interest. The existence of that authority
is desirable, as in cases where small areas NAV in
'advertently not have been included in any improve
mert district. and where the opposition of a small
number of owners might obstruct improvements
which are needed and generally demanded. But, in
the absence OF such unusual conditions, the city
commission very properly expects to be guided bv
the expressed wishes of those whose interests are
primarily affected. ~
Petitions asking for the paving of these streets
were circulated some three years ago, and were
signed by a substantial majority of the owners on
each street. Bids were received just about the
time OF the highest prices on record for labor and
material. The cost of the Improvement under the
lowest bid was SO great that the whole subject was
dropped tor the time being by unanimous consent.
Conditions have changed materially since that
time. The contracts for the paving in the north
end OF the city which were let last year were on a
basis approximately 80 per cent lower than the low
est bid on the goth district work two wears earlier.
At the meeting held a few weeks ago Mr.. Berge, the
contractor who did the north end work. said conf
IDENTIFY that he could guarantee at that time a price
10 per cent lower than last years price. That re-
duct1on, ne explained, was possible because of low
er prices tor cement, lower prices for steel. lower
freight rates on gravel, improved labor conditions.
and a better market for city warrants. Since then
q further reduction Of one cent per hundred pounds
on gravel has been made, and city warrants which
We're quoted a few weeks ago at 81 can now be dis
posed OF at par. There is, therefore, an improve
! Hlent IN conditions over those of midwinter.
T Is. obvious that prices cannot decline inde6-
iitely, It IS a question if the general price level
mas not reached as low a point as it may be expect
go 70 reach Tor some years. There will, as always.
Mbe fluctuations and adjustments in the prices Of in
sdlyldual commodities. But these adjustments will
1ot. ail be downward Already, in many fields,
there s. observable q tendency toward the stifening
Sot prices. Building operations are being undertak.
@cit az over the country on a scale unparalleled since
the beginning OF the war. Industry IS revivirp
eyeryyyyher and with the consequent increased de-
smand 4or material and labor prices NAV BE expect
- I'll advance rather than to decline.
are facts to be giyeIi consideration n
sEe1Ehlng an intelligent decision on when to under
sSay construction enterprise, public OF private.
G6eR without saying that If paving IS to Be ,,n-
@sftskAn this year, now Is the time to take tie
lsAsfSsary stensss