Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 21

THE DECATUR. DAtL HEKALD. Thursday, Jan. 1, 1914. DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE OF BEAUTIFUL DECATUR AT A COST OF $250,000 ACADEMY OF ST.

TERESA, $100,000. DECATIB XATI OXAL U.VXK, 135,000. FIRST CHRISTIAN CIIUHCH, 935,000 OBSTACLES TO CUTS GROWTH REMOVED AT BIG COST decatur Accomplished Much In 1913-What Of 1914? New Pump and Storage for Water Supply Next Big Need Prairie Street Subway and Completion of Public Improvements Already Begun on Municipal Program for 1914 Total Expended During 1913 is $122,017. What the City Planned Last Year it Realized and Faces a New and Equally Important Task at Start of Another New Year. HE construction of a Prairie street subway, the installation 1 of a new pump and the inauguration of a plan for increas- mm ing the reservoir capacity at the water pumping station are the three big tasks which the city will undertake during 1914.

A number of municipal improvements which have already been undertaken will be completed, and a number of minor improvements begun. The initial steps to construct a sub-, way at the Prairie street intersection of the Ilinois Central right of way-will be made during the next municipal year. There is probably no question about that being undertaken. There is much preliminary work to bo done before the stage is reached where it is necessary for the city to put up any cash. Thus it will be pos sible to have the preliminaries dispos --rr FRANKLIN STREET SUBWAY.

I HEN New Year's day, 1913, dawned on Decatur there had (577) been prepared a program of advancement and growth that jflf far out-reached 1912. That Decatur carried out that pro-CpC gram and went beyond it is history. For 1914 there are still Ifflr things planned and in keeping with the records established in past years there seems to be no valid reason why Decatur in the 55th year of her life should not make big strides. On the cover page of The Herald's New Year's edition last ytar appeared these words: "DECATUR TO 1 91 3 'I want the hospital and the Wabash shops finished, several hundred homes for the men who will work in the shops and as many other factories as you can bring me." Year of Accomplishment. How well the citizens of Decatur did these things has been told over and over again.

The shops have been built, the hospital campaign brought within striking distance of the end, several hundred homes erected, subways built, a filter plant constructed, sewers laid and scores of other public improvements made. The municipal year was especially successful. Building operations measured up to the forecast. There are no regrets as to the work done and the advance made. The year 1914 again presents a big program.

The municipal officials face big problems and Decatur citizens are to undertake big things. As a city" the health and comfort of the citizens both in and out of town is to be safeguarded by a solution of the sewage problem of Decatur. This alone will call for time and money. Already the Chamber of Commerce, the city officials and engineers are battling with the problem. Growth Makes New Problems.

Tremendous growth in 1913 when nearly one-fifth of the present area of the city was annexed, the great influx of people to Decatur causing the spreading out of city limits and the population to swell, presents a big year's' work in caring for street paving, sidewalks, water main extension, sewers and so on. Added to this must be hundreds of homes to care for our new citizens. The city has promises of new hotels, new buildings, new business enterprises and all call for homes to house the people. Real estate values have increased and business is brisk. Bank clearings are ahead of all other years.

Business men report favorably on the year's business. Schools call for more improvements and buildings. Our churches, alive to the interests of the community are furnishing new edifices. With every interest centered on the city's welfare, a program for 1914 that outstrips any other will be met in a spirit that means for Decatur its biggest year. feel that he cannot be held responsible if later there is an insufficiency of power in the pumping station.

He says too, that it is well to recognize the fact that some day soon' tne municipality must have increased storage capacity for water. Making provision for that contingency requires even more time than getting a new pump and for that reason it early in the game. summer there were times when th store of water" In the river was eight inches below the crest of the dam. 11 the consumption of water increases in the next ten years a big reservoir will be necessary. Commissioner Ruthraufi says he does nto pretend to say where the most desirable site is to be found.

That he bel'eves is a problem for engineers to determine, but he docfi believe that soon such a reservoir will be necessary. Where Mnlns ore How much water main will be installed during the next year no one knows. Commissioner Ruihrautf says that in all probability he will face the same situation trat he did last year -not get as much as he asks for. He believes that it imperative that a big main should be extended east in Wood street toward Seventh street. The water service in Kast Wood street does not extend beyond Calhoun street.

Commissioner Iluthrauff says that to maintain proper pressure the large main should extend further east. It IS not infrequently the case now that from the far eastern factory district comes the complaint that the pressure is inadequate for ordinary purposes. Even- ed of and have the way clear for the actual work when that time shall have arrived. Mayor Dinneen says that he regards it as certain to be one of the important steps taken during the next months. No Otber Prediction.

Beyond that he does not make any predictions. He says that it is too arly to tell what can be done. Jle sees many things that he would be pleased to undertake, improvements that should be made, but no announcement of plans can be made until it is known h6w much cash will ba available. The public improvement fund lor the next 3'ear has been anticipated in the improvement of West Main street and in the construction of the Jasper street subway. The total work to be provided for will approximate The plans have been the work partly completed and the public improvement fund of the year beginning May 1 must take care of that charge.

Pnrk Fund Same, Mayor Dinneen said that there were plans yet for the park work. The appropriation fcr that purpose will be 1- JASPER STREET SUBWAY. Jasper Subway Great Boon to Churches and Business Interests Some Propositions that Sleep But Have Not Been Forgotten Tne Jubicr sii'i-et -tuoway, which Willi Especially wiii subway have an effer-t on the attendance in the Sunday school of children. The English receive many of the children living by members of the Chamber of Commerce and other citizens, a businessmen's self imposed holiday for a survey of new industries, or even a municipal observance of the sacred features of Christmas? The hospital campaign was a revelation in itself, not in the amount raised, but In the sipirt shown by those who gave at a sacrilice. Hardly less surprising was the response: to the appeal for an associated charities.

Decatur people rull together in the harness better 'than ever before. It is easier to get things done. There is less of a tendency to try to find selfish motives in proposals that mean much to the welfare bf the community, more readiness to assist in everything that is for the city's good. Utopia has not been reached by any means. In some things Decatur lags, out it is intelligent enough and broad-minded enough to see its own faults.

All it asks is that criticism shall be constructive and not destructive. It is with this fine spirit of co-operation that Decatur faces its problems for 1S14. not realized Those who hold the purse strings seem disinclined to loosen thetn, but Milllkin's prospects were never brighter for all she did not obtain that he same as last year $13,000. Except Lincoln Park will perhaps come in for a larger portion of the money I than in the last two years, there are no plans. They have not been worked out in detail.

Mayor Dinneen says that the maintenance cost in the park system makes it a comparatively easy matter to spend all of the money available for rark purposes and he adds that he feels that with the money that has been available for park work Jupt. Torrence has done well indeed. Will lew I'nmp. Looking forward to the new year, Commissioner Kuthrautf says that he will at the proper time recommend to the city council the purchase of a new pump for the city's power plant. He says that it is not likely that it will be necessary to have a new pump during the calendar year ol 1914, but he adds that as a rule anywhere from six months to a year are tequired to get such things and it is not wise to wait until the last moment before the request is made.

A pump is not less than twelve million gallons capacity per day will be asked. When the new filtration plant is available for every day use 'he power plant will have less power than before, all the time the Cemands for water are increasing. The capacity of the station will be lessened from the fact that under the present system with the clear water reservoir high above the pumps there is a head which relieves the necessity ol the pumps lifting water to send it through the mains to the city. The new clear water reservoir will be almost on a level with the pumps. There will be a little head but not much.

Fire Demands Foil Power. This change will lessen the capacitv of the two Allis pumps perhaps one-sixtii. With the normal demand for water constantly increasing If there is a big fire ail of the pumps will be required to furnish the pressure. Com oc finished the latter part of 1914, will he a boon to tlu? business interests of the east side Decatur as well as the churches of that section. The ast side churehes have felt the need of this subway for many years and the pastors of these churches expect tn'at their consregutions will show a noticeable increase every Sunday the subway is finisned.

Numerous tracks crossing Jasper street havf made it too dangerous for persons in the east side to attend churches and, while many went occasionally, the majority stayed away entirely. longed-for million or any part or it. Xhe university and its friends rest in the assurance that in time the gooa work it is doing will be recognized ana Decatur does not hold obsequies over jpy proposition until she is sure that jt dead, and there is a significance the fact that it possesses a lung motor. Decatur did not do in 1913 everything that she wished to do, or have yerythins she hoped to obtain, but toe does not consider herself beaten, nor does she despair. was the hope ol the.

thousands of Wends of James Miilikin university the General Education board remember that institution in one e. Its melon cuttings but the hope was nortn ol tne waoasn vracit aim nit--it. Johannes' German Lutheran church Lxptcts to have an increase in its church of the German children who south of the Wabash tracks. JUisir.ess interests on both the north and south sides of the tracks will have increased trade when the subway is iinished. The business men in Fast iiluorado street have been boosting for subway and expect a good return when it is finisned.

ally the big main in Kast Weed street ould connect with a big main in Seventh street. This belt line, as It Is known, is what makes it possible to get pressure far from the pumping station. Public Work or J013. Public improvements last year were as lollows: Jasper street subway cost approximately $23,000. Franklin street subway cost $9,030, to be paid in three amfual installments.

Homestead sewer, building, 10,690 feet in length, cost estimated "Scovill" latc-ial sewer length 33v feet cost $464. Lincoln avenue lateral sewer, 65b feet, cost $683.42. Lake addition sewer, length J00 feet, cost $551. Leaf land avenue late'al sewer, 410 feet, ocst $516. Lateral sewer, Jasper to Lowber street, 1500 feet, cost Lateral in Stare's addition, 1500 feet, cost $1,482.

Illinois street, storm sewer, 665 feet, cost $1,170. Paving West Forest. Oakland to Hawoth and Hawoth to Decatur, a distance of 12y2 feet, cost property owners cost city $353. Paving Morgan street from Illinois Central north to Garfield avenue, distance of feet, cost property owners SS.592: cost the city $307.51. Paving Wrest Green from Water to Van Dyke street, cost property owners $26,961: cost tho city $3,256.

Paving Kast Wagoner street. Water to Warren streetj 53 feet, cost the oronerty owners cost the city S95.30. Paving Home avenue, Haworth avenue and Prairie avenue iy private contract, cost the city $5. The paving of W'est Main street from Lincoln Square west to a point 700 Ieet west of Pine street has been contractea at a cost of $33,000 and tiiat does, not Include the expense borne by the De-atur Railway and Light company. The city's portion of that improvement will be about $6,500.

Ten thousand feet of water main costing approximately $11,000, were stalled. Total for public work. $122,017. encouraged. Tilli-ks Removal 1'roporUon.

The AVabash tracks removal proposition absorbed attention for a few weeks, and then lapsed when it appeared that the Wabash could reach no right-of-way agreement with the Illinois Central. For a while the prospects of general track elevation looked bright, but these vanished when it appeared that the railroads could not Tjut if wmild be. Idle to sav thai ing year follow: EIGHTEEN MORE DIE Warn NEARLY 45 MILES OF CITY PAVING COMPLETE iV UK lild January Get Rid of that Tired Feeling With the returns incomplete, the v. un thft solution of jjcuaiui i'js its railroad problem. The Wabash will need a new St.

Louis bridge some day. Decatur made a game fight for the state headquarters of the Odd Fellows, 1913 1912 4S 51 47 52 50 49 27i 53 4S 35 24 43 44 49 SO ...49 40 3b" 36 31 24 43 507 489 February March April Hay June July August September October November December records at the office of City Clerk Jerome Heger show there were 5'JJ deaths in Decatur during the calendar year of U'13. The returns for the! month of December are not The records at the clerk's office show; only 24 for the month up to the night, December 30. Perhaps the late re-j 'turns will show double that number for, 1 and lost, i ne di; duujuis iuuirmii-i ed would have solved auditorium and THE CITY'S PAVING 94,910 feet of two-course brick with sand filler. 65.S2S fee; of brick on concrete foundation with cement filler.

19,051 feet of brick on concrete foundation with asphalt filler. feet of asphalt surface with concrete foundation. 8,405 feet of bitulithic surface with concrete foundation. 572 feet of creosoted wood blocks (private). Lineal miles of paved streets to missioner Ruthrauff protests that he is not seeking to pose as an alarmist, but the months.

As far as it is possible to do so the figures for the year compared with the figures for the preced- BALL he insists that It is well to recognize tlie situation and make preparations accordingly. He says that he will make his recommendations in ample time and that personally he will then March 1, lflS. armory problems. These must wan, out not long. C'undit Street to Go Tliroob.

The West Main pavement was not laid but this is merely a delay not a failure. Condit street was not extended thus holding back the car service to the Wabash shops, but an announcement of the completion of the negotiations that will remove the last obstacle to this much needed improvement Is expected any day. Some industrial building that was looked for did not materialize, but is in prospect for 1S14. Decatur's philosophy is a combination ol Bergson and Walt Mason. It is convinced that it pays' to keep trying.

Ic may not land everything, but it gets a lot of fun out of the effort. DECATUR'SWAY IS TO KEEP ON TRYING Public and Private Bath T. L. Corley, Prop. High Score Prizes Each Week.

2 Cash, first high score 2 Cash First High Score 1 Cash. High Score 50c Cash. High Score Come and try a game. Special hours for ladies and gentlemen by appointment. aoes Decatur Studios of Music The methods of instruction employed in this school have i received the approval of the foremost educational authorities both here and abroad.

We give the most careful individual attention to each student. Our courses are arranged for the comprehensive study of any branch of music, practical or theo-i retical, either as a profession or as an element of culture. Write for illustrated catalog. For further detailed information address Decatur Studios of Music oiel The above was the record at the be-, ginning of the current municipal ince that time the extension of the street paving has made the total more than 45 miles. In fact, the paving record of the current year follows: Home avenue, Haworth avenue and Prairie street, private contract, 1.6G0 feet.

Morgan street, from the Illinois Central north to Garfield avenue, 937 feet. Forrest avenue from Oakland to Haworth, and Haworth from Forrest to Decatur street, 1,202 feet, Green street from Water street west to Van Dyke street, 3,801 feet. Waggoner street from Water to Warren street, 5S5 feet. Forrest avenue from Oakland avenue west to the railroad, 620 feat. That is a total of 9,821 feet.

The contract for the paving of West Main street has been awarded, but the work will not be done until next spring, so that will add another 3,330 feet, a total 13,151 feU City Hum 'ot Renehed I topla. But Civic Spirit Wbm Sever Better Than Today. (ROOMS ONLY) Half Blcck South of Street Car Transfer Rooms 5Cc and up. Both Phones. Decatur ,111.

Virg d'Or 138 Merchant Street Decatur, 111. After all the biggest thing in Decatur the past year has been the growth of that intangible thing called civic spirit. In what other year has Decatur seen such things as a public welcome to incoming mechanics, the guaranteeing ot the financial success of a kintergarten Third Floor Suffern Building. I Bell Phone 2340..