Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1915 — MANY SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER CITY [ARTICLE]

MANY SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER CITY

Ideas That Could Be Adopted With Fine Results in Building the Greater Rensselaer.

The Republican’s effort last November to secure suggestions from various sources that might be adopted for the improvement *of this city was not abandoned. The press of business during the holidays followed by sickness and later by the volume of reports of trustees and other matters through January caused a cessation of the campaign. Now that we are entering upon spring the need of many things will be more apparent and we hope that many new suggestions will be made.One of the early Suggestions made last fall was the organization of a business men’s association. This fias been started and should be able to accomplish a great deal toward widening the influence for trade and promoting other good things for the community, just as they are now planning for better fire protection, better sanitation and proper street cleaning and sprinkling by co-operation with the city council.

Probably the second most important suggestion at that time was the organization of a building and loan association. This was not done simply because there was no one who cared to assume the responsibility of taking the lead. It could have been started by a week’s effort on the part of any man who had the confidence of the public. It was a matter of such great importance that some one should have been found to take it up. It is not to late yet and several homes will be built this year if an association is founded. Owing to the money stringency thd banks will not supply funds for building. We are informed that the Goodland. association, which has made most of the loans for the past year or two in this city, has many applications that it can not take care of. Rensselaer needs this as an impetus to continued building improvement. The employment of mechanics and labor would follow, adding to the prosperity of our businessmen and to the value of all property.

The important question of sanitation and garbage disposal has received some consideration, but will not meet the highest requlreinenifcs of a clean city until a system of collections throughout the residence districts are provided. This will re quire considerable expense and general taxation can not take care of it. Possibly the federation for the city’s beautification organized two years ago might find willing response if an effort was made to procure the money for this collection by subscription through the residence section. It would be worth a trial. Mayor Spitler has made a suggestion that has an idealistic instead of materialistic bearing. He said that since the others who had made suggestions seemed to have spoken foT the physical welfare of the city, he would speak of the moral and spiritual welfare. He said that he could not imagine anything finer for the community than to have every person in it regular attendants at Sunday school and ehurch. He said that Rensselaer could in this manner attract the attention of the world and accomplish a permanent good and a magnificent influence. “How easy it would be,” said the mayor, “for every person to plan their work so that they could spent the Sunday school and church hours in church. No matter what your occupation, no matter how worthy you may consider youiself, no matter how your clothes look, no mat ter what church you attend, it would be a grand thing if every person physically able would go to Sunday school and church every Sunday.” That is not the exact language of the mayor but expresses his suggestion and we he Heve every reader of The Republican will agree with him that it would be a wonderful thing. The “go-to-church” movement is all right once a year but it would be so rnueh better fifty-two times a year and Rensselaer certainly could make a marvelous showing and a great good would result if his suggestion was adopted by even 50 per cent of the people. That would be 1,500 people in church and Sunday school.‘That would fill every church in our city and the suggestion of Mayor fspitler could be followed with great good to our people. Some times newcomers in our city are able ,to point out needs that our old residents have overlooked. This is the ease with a suggestion that comes from L. B. Preston, who lives in town but is engaged in

truck farming at Newland. He says that no better improvement could be made than to have our streets marked and our houses numbered. That is quite true and we are not sure that some agitation has not been made along this line before. Mr, Preston truly says that there are not 50 per cent of our people know on what street they live. It is almost impossible to direct a stranger to a house he desires to visit. The fact that our city is laid out at such varying angles makes it more difficult. We believe the streets or a number of them should be renamed. Eor instance our main business street is Washington street. The west end of the street is naturally West Washington street, but there is another West Washington street. It is the street running north from Weston cemetery. The street paralleling Washington street and the first street south is HaTrison street. There is another Harrison street in the northwest part of town. Cullen stieet becomes Forest when it makes a half turn, Weston becomes Day ton and Division, becomes Main There is more confusion than in any to\Vn in the country. The west extension of Harrison street across the river is Grove, the west extension of Rutsen is John and the west extension of Work street is Odell, while the east extension of Work street is Grace street. These are only a few of the confusing things that should be corrected. The houses should be numbered and this matter is of so much importance that it should not be delayed. iM Preston deserves much credit for his suggestion and Our old time residents will recognize the importance of carrying out his-sug-gestion. J. L. Hagins makes a suggestion that is also valuable. He says that there is. danger of some person being injured because the garage doors open right against the sidewalks. Accidents have been narrowly averted several times. Most drivers are careful but some do not think to sound a warning when they emerge from the buildings. An ordinance requiring a bell signal or some other warning should be passed. Parker Childers favors the erection of a band stand on Milroy Park. He believes that is the place for our concerts. The Republican has always favored the erection of a -conciete bandstand in the court yard and now with provision to extend our beautiful boulevard lights around the public square we believe it is even more essential than ever that the band be kept down town. We want your suggestion about the betterment of Rensselaer. You may have an idea that could be adopted with little expense and result in great benefit. We do not want 'to stagnate. Rensselaer is not a standpat town. It is going ahead. Let us have your idea and it will grow and prosper, more rapidly.