Sidewalks for Susanville
February 6, 1925
Suggestion made at business men’s lunch that property owners put in concrete sidewalks.
The weekly business men’s luncheons were started again this week, and on Wednesday at noon about 50 men were present at Burger’s café, where the meeting was held.
Dr. Martin was chairman and a corking good lunch for 50 cents was served.
Each speaker was limited to a five-minute talk and community singing interspersed the short talks. At the wind-up of the luncheon everybody sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Suggested improvements. Ben Curler was asked to give a five-minute talk on “Civic Improvement.” Curler said he thought the town should have sidewalks and that the property owners should put them in. He also advocated building a municipal swimming tank but thought that the water for it would cost too much.
Curler also urged that Nevada street be kept clear as a coasting ground for the children of the town. He said that delivery drivers have been taking down the barriers on that street and driving through, thus imperiling the safety of the children and incurring to themselves grave responsibility.
C. H. Bridges also gave his views on the roping off of Nevada street and that if that thoroughfare were not kept clear that the children would be coasting all over town thus endangering themselves and increasing the possibilities of series accidents.
Merchants present were urged to caution their drivers not to remove the barriers on Nevada street, but to drive around them. Bridges also stated that the cost of putting in a sidewalk on any ordinary lot would not exceed fifty dollars.
Rev. E. H. Longbrake spoke for five minutes on “Civic Righteousness.” He said that the growth and development of a town were dependent upon its civic righteousness. “The business and professional men of the community should not tolerate any actions that did not represent the highest ideals of civic righteousness,” he said.
He also said that the action of the older heads of a community quite often influenced the conduct of the younger element.
Longbeards disappearing. Ben Lyle spoke on “Civic Responsibilities and Duties.” He said that these weekly meetings for the business men created a better, closer and more cordial feeling. They brought people out of their shell, as it were, and was an outlet for expression and feeling.
He said there was a noticeable improvement in the town since these meetings started last year and that their continuance would help foster a more cordial and get-to-gether spirit. He called attention to the fact that there were several who seldom, if ever, attended these luncheons. He deplored this fact and said it was a stumbling block to civic advancement.
C. H. Bridges, when asked to remake on the improvements that had taken place here in recent years. Bridges said they were many and noticeable and attributed the breaking down of the reserve or clickism which in the past has been characteristic of the people here to the new and younger element which has come into town. Bridges said that now everything seems to be lovely and that the goose hangs high.
American Legion Convention. Short talks were made on the proposed American Legion convention for Susanville in 1926. In the opinion of everybody it will be a big thing for the town. Homer Vincent, Ben Lyle and Joe McAllister made some brief remarks on this subject.
Some local business stationary was passed around on which a cut of Mt. Lassen with “Watch Our Smoke” underneath it. At the bottom of the cut was the statement that Susanville is out after the 1926 American Legion state convention.
Finn Barry Spoke on “Why This Club is Worth While and Should Be Continued.” He said that it served as a means of social intercourse and was instrumental in helping the development of the town and Honey Lake Valley.
Barry said there were many things which this body could advantageously take up, two among these being the irrigation project and helping the local post to secure the 1926 American Legion convention for Susanville.
H. R. Coffin made a bow and said “how do you do,” to those present, and Mr. Rhodes of Missouri Pacific railroad made a felicitous acknowledgment upon being introduced. Harry Coleman spoke on the “Booster Spirit.”
He said that the world was big and that wielders of the hammer had several exits to choose from in getting out of Susanville. He advocated boosting in all its forms and said that if one couldn’t praise the town not to say anything.
Dr. E. H. Longbrake was appointed chairman of next week’s meeting.
