The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-02
In a Terse Way He Says Something
OF Interest to Citizens OF
Helena.
The City Burdened With Useless
Croakers Who will Neither
Sell or Improve.
Great Advantages is Handicapped
by These BarnacleA

The interview with Mr.. Peter Winnie in
Saturdays INDEPENDENT was read with much
interest by our citizens who are working to
theg growth and prosperity OF the
Queen city, and all united in the verdict
Mr.. Whine is right. His views are
those OF a keen representative of foreign
investors. who should be encouraged to
here, and are therefore entitled to a
In like measure it is we'll to
know how our public spirited men view the
situation.
Certainly no citizen of Helena has done
more to build the city than Colonel G. A.
Broadwater. His investments may be
in nearly every enterprise adding to
the improvement of Helena. These include
not only the magnificent hotel that bears
his name, and the electric street railway
but in man other forms. From
the standpoint of e citizen he is certainly
qualified to talk about Helena. In a pleas
ant talk about the city last night at The
Helena, the colonel said: eyes, l was
pleased with Mr.. Winne's interview.
for it reflected my sentiments exactly. l
most heartily endorse and concur with
everything he said. He struck the key
note of the situation when he remarked
That Helena is handicapped by Il class of
men he rightly terms croakers. 1t is not
to mention names, for we all
these men. 1t is sufficient to say they
are obstructionists to the growth of the
city and contribute absolutely moth
to her prosperity. Let me diverge
Tor a moment n illustrate my meaning.
When was a boy some fifty years ago st.
Louis was a big city of 100000 people. 1t
was the great center of the west and was
been heard of. Since then as you know
the relative position of the two cities has
changed. Chicago sprang up, forged ahead
and soon grew into Il great center of popu-
lation and to-day is three times as large as
st. Louis. st. Louis was d~istanced, why?
Because she was inflicted with a class of
land owners h refused to help her
growth. A great part Of the city was owned
by several big estates. They refused to
sell property or improve it and as a conse-
quence people went elsewhere. Real estate
i'll Chicago was owned in small lots and
was kept constantly in the market. MANY
people were Interested and Improvements
had to come. We may account for Chica-
go's growth by booming, blowing, or what
ever you call it, but there stands the great
city as Il result. l believe blowing is a
pretty good thing for a town when it builds
1t up. Now, then, in this city we lave a
condition of affairs similar to that Of st.
Louis at the time | speak of. There are
men here owning great IA valuable pieces
of real estate located on business streets
md in other favorable parts 9of the city.
They refuse to either sell or improve.
When men come here to buy property they
are unable to secure the locations they wish
these selfish croakers, regardless
of the prosperity of the city, are deter
mined to hang OH. Now then what can be
done to bring these men to the right.
Helena and all they contribute is the
of their living. In the meantime other
are going ahead with ali sorts of
improvements which benefit the property,
of these fellows. Electric railways, electric
lights, gas companies and all other enter
prises are the results of the work of enter
citizens. The narrow minded and
penurious men who want everything for
nothing stand back and see their property
increased in value by the hard work of
others. They are the worst citizens we have
for they are constantly keeping the town
oack. We must lind some way to bring
them in line. Just think where this town
estate had no value here until the
Central road came into
and since then the rise is due
to improvements. This is the con-
lition and the experience of other towns
acluding st. Louis and shows just how Hell
'na will be held back if this policy is to be
continued.
Yes, I noticed Mr.. Winne's criticism of
'ur city council. 1t seems to me that our
'ity government must certainly be more
LIBERAL if street improvements are to come.
degree of liberality in granting franchises
nd charters means more and better i'm
for our city. These will come
ooner if people who wish to invest money
re treated right.
The rate of interest on investments in
cal estate is too high. The average work
ngman is no fool, and he knows that with
means he cannot afford to pay 10 or
2 per cent, on the price of a lot. l have
my agent to sell property here
fter on long time at six per cent. interest.
his will meet the demand of many people
tho otherwise would be unable to invest.
The city of Helena possesses all the natural
dvantages and resources for the building
f a great city. The state of Montana to-
lay has twice the resources of Colorado
nd Helena is the natural location for the
zig city of a state able to support several
arge cities. We have three great trunk
inc railroads, counting the Union Pacific.
Before very long We will have the Burling-
on road, and other roads will follow, be.
ause they must build somewhere and now
hey are heading for the northwest. Hele-
Ia is already the railroad center for a
,reat section of country but it will be a
railroad center if the citizens pur-
ue the right course in uniting to increase
general prosperity. Here then are the
opportunities, the advantages and the re-
ources, and now is the time to do the
york. And it is work not to be done
" one or two or three men, but
" all and particularly those who
WI property in town. Ii these men will
lot improve their land let them sell and
i've other people n chance. l am heartily
ick and tired of the everlasting croaking
+ men who have made every dollar they
ave through the efforts of others. | hear
ome of them say that there is nothing to
ring people here. We heard the same
hing about Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and
cher cities, II vet they have grown out of
.Rht. The people will come if tho obstruc-
SITS will give them a chance. Factories
nd various industries will follow as a natu-
result if we all join in the building up
{ the city. Five years ago Spokane was
OF known. To-day it is u fine city. thirty
er cent. larger than Helena. 1t was built
y pushing and driving and advertising.
hat is the way to make n city and this is
10 spirit we need in Helena"
a grand trent is in store nj the Methodist
lurch. Broadway, next Saturday and Monday
Jan. 81 and teb. ,. Mis- Ella L'otta