The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-25
SHOULD SKIRT THE CITY

IL liC GQItOI.
AS residents and property own
ers on Third street, we wish tx
enter our protest of the recen
proposal Of the State Highwa,
Commission. that Seventh stree
be used as a truck lane for tht
heavy traffic crossing the city 0
Wilmington. This protest is no
against the use Of Seventh stree
only; but against such use of an,
other street within the city limits
Residents of Third street know
what it means to live on a crowd
ed thoroughfare of inbound ane
outbound traffic; nor would they
willingly see any other part of the
city subjected to a hazard posses
sing such a high nuisance value
A heavily congested highwa,
through a town IS bad enough: bu'
when to the normal flow of traffic
there is added the great roar ane
rumble of huge, heavily laden oil
trucks, passing and repassine
every few minutes DAY and night;
the screech of grinding brake:
added to the odor of evil smelling
g a fumes-well. Third stree
people know all about that: fol
not everybody living on Thirt
street leaves town for the sum
mer, and while the situation is
bad enough in winter, in summer
and particular, summer nights
when the windows are opened
the situation becomes well-nigt
unbearable.
Perhaps modern progress i:
necessarily accompanied BY
noise. confusion and elements o
danger: and we would regret any
action which would hamper the
progress or prosperity Of Whining
ton: or do any injury to business
enterprise. However, it does no
appear that any good interest is
served by a plan for a heavy
truck line to be routed directly
across the city, as is now under
consideration.
1t would seem that there was
more at stake in this matter thar
appears on the surface; although
that in itself is serious enough. A
city is a wonderful thing: a won.
derful experiment in living where
all kinds of people by merging
their lives and interests form a
community of which the centra,
core, Or heart, is the spirit of CO.
operation, neighborliness. and
inter-dependence upon n an
other for the well-being of the en-
tire group.
A city stands for more than
business and industry or any form
collective commercialism;
although they are important ele-
ments in a city's life. A city is
first Of all a collection of homes
where family life Chat great bull
wark of any nation) is developed;
where the rearing and training OF
children takes place: where char
acter is made which will under
grid the citizens of tomorrow. The
best type of family life depends
upon the stability of the home ano
household surroundings. and g
strong sense of continuing security
and neighborhood values. 1t is ne
light thing to uproot the homes OF
a community: and a city is a
place of homes: a place Of
churches where God is known
and worshipped: a place where
the schools meet the great respop
sibility of the education of thu
people Of the town; a place where
the very best recreational facili
ties are available 10 every citizen
where municipal government will
safeguard and promote every eff
Fort and interest, which is Of mu-
tual value and benefit.
The idea of a belt line traffic
cute around the outskirts of the
city seems TO be the best possible
solution. In hundredS of communi
ties this is the accepted plan. We
realize the difficulties of the High
way Commission in attempting tt
solve this traffic problem; but a
least it has the clear indication O.
the wish of the people.
1t has been suggested that the
presence Of the monuments on
Third street were a saving factor
in the elimination Of that street as
a traffic lane: prehaps therein lies
an even deeper truth. The beauti-
full monument honoring the Con
federate dead which stands at the
intersection of Third and Deck
streets. bears an inscription in La
tin which seems most happily
chosen: one which characterizes
in a rather singular way the in
tangible or spiritual elements
which should be found in every
city: and which we believe is
peculiarly true of Wilmington. The
quotation reads: Pro Aris Ell
Focis-for affairs and firesides!
These men gave their lives to pre-
serve the things dearest to them
their homes and their faith; faith
in God and faith in man: to pre-
serve the beauty and the peace OF
their communities, and the deep,
simple things which make life
sweet a n d strong 6. Wilmington
is truly a city of homes and
churches; and we shall be a finer,
greater city. if, along with pro-
gress, We are able to preserve
something of the old-fashioned
charm and grace of living.
Let The Memory OF The Past
Be The Inspiration OF The Future.
Mrs. and Mrs. Walter P. Sprant
Wilmington, NC.