, 1925-03-12
PAVING COSTS
R CAUSE OF
MUCH ARGUMENT

The matter of paving in Rawlins
is n which affects directly only a
small part of IL population but it
will affect indirectly every resident
of the city. The actual paving will
be paid for by abutting property
owners but all residents of the city
will be benefited by having the use
of the paved streets
There has been much said both
pro and con with respect paving and
many persons have become interested
in the controversy outside of those
directly affected who must pay for it.
In considering this matter of paving
one canno realize the importance
and the benefits of this improvement
unless he has followed the history
of other cities in this line of activ-
ity. In all cities which have paving
the same objections have been raised
and the same fight has been made to
prevent paving as is happening in
Rawlins. However, after the first
district has been put in and the prop
erty owners have actual experience
with paving antagonism has invari-
ably been eliminated and universal
satisfaction has beer the result.
Rawlins cannot afford to overlook
the opportunity which is o before
her to take a step in advance and
graduate from the village" class to
the city" class. Businessmen of
the city. property owners and all
others Will. after paving is put in.
have more pride in their city. The
matter of home patronage will be
solved to a great extent as our citi-
zens will believe more in their city
and will all take pride in assisting
to further improve conditions by
spending their money at home.
In considering this question of
paving 1t should be looked at in n
business-like way. Personalities
should not enter into the question at
all. II the business firms affected
by this paving program cannot see
the benefits to be derived by making
of Rawlins a real city hat is their
affair and II Is not within the prov
ince Of others to make a personal
matter out OF the Issue.
The Republican sincerely trusts
that before any business firms file
protests against this paving program
that they will not look only at the
cost involved but will investigate
other cities and see just what paw
ing has meant. All must realize
that Rawlins Is at the parting of the
ways. This city must 90 forward or
she will go backwards. Rawlins can
not stand still as competition here Is
too great If the business firms OF
the city continue to prosper It Is abb
solutely up TO these firms TO take
the lead In the matter OF paving and
in other civic improvements which
will advance the city.
As many arguments have been ad-
vanced regarding the cost OF paving
The Republican has made an investi-
CATION OF this question and special
properties have been picked out aud
the very maximum cost OF paving has
been figured. These figures include
the maintenance guarantee for n per-
Tod OF five years and mean hat the
property owner will not be required
TO maintain this pavement as the con
tractor viii furnish bond TO maintain
same for n period OF five years. An
estimated cost OF $40 per square
yard has been figured IN arriving at
the following costs:
Frank Blake property will not ex-
coed $1,000.
Ferguson Mercantile Co. viii not
exceed $4,000.
a. +. Thodc property will not ox-
coed $1,000.
Robert Turner property will not
exceed 5000.
The above figures have all been
placed exceptionally higb as the his
tory OF neighboring cities show that
the cost has never exceeded s2.Sb per
square yard. The cost In both Cas-
per and Cheyenne has ranged from
saga TO 81 So per square yard.
Again we state. Rawlins is at the
parting OF the ways" Are We to
20 ahead or go backwards7 This
question In for those within this new
paving district to decide.