The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1895-02-07
A RECORD OF THE YEAR
Annual Report Of The Secretary Of The
Yakima Commercial Club.
A DOCUMENT OF MUCH INTEREST
The Organization tn n Fisushing
Condition and Arranging Exten.
sive Plans for Advertising the
Yakima valley In the East.

At the Tuesday evening meeting OF the
Commercial CLUB the time was devoted to
considering the yearly reports and state
ments OF the officers, in addition to dis
cussion upon the proposition OF having
printed large pamphlet, descriptive OF
Yakima county and this city, for free DIS
tribution. The Information 30 far gath
cred is very valuable, and it's dissemina.
ton throughout the United States
would be productive of great good because
issued by an impartial and reliable body
such as the club is.
One OF the reports read that evening
was written by the secretary, James n.
Gilbert; and 1t is of such comprehensive
scope that THE HERALD publishes it in
full, as follows:
The Yakima Commercial club was born of the
conviction that the growing interests of Yakima
county demanded for their oversight and guild.
snce the concentrated effort and care OF her
business men. IL was because of this convic-
ton that Mr.. z. F. Benson found ready response
to his suggestion that our business men shovld
unite their efforts in q general movement to :
quaint the world at large with the surprising
natural advantages of Yakima county, and to
bring united action upon any steps which
might be taken to advance the interests of her
citizens.
More than one hundred OF the representative
citizens OF North Yakima responded to the call
and enrolled themselves as members of the club
Throughout year of unparalleled business de-
preston the club has inaugurated its WORK, and
do not doubt that every member who is fsmil-
lar with the results attained will voice the sen
timent that the organization was justified.
Under the plan of organization adopted by
the club its governing board must of necessity
bear the burden of its work. and TO the faithful
performance OF their duties by the members 10
due In large measure the success which has
attended the work of the year. Nearly all of its
members have been prompt in their attendance
upon meetings and In the discharge OF duties
assigned them. 1t is not my purpose to enter
into minute details Of the work accomplished.
Many of the benefits arising from the organize
tion cannot In fact be explained save in q gen.
eral way. Not the least of these benefits 10 the
satisfaction which every business man must
feel that whatever 10 deemed of interest to the
city or county will have the careful considera-
ton OF the best men In the community, and
when action is taken. itheir united support. And
then, too, the fact that our business men are
standing together In all matters pertaining to
the interests of the Yakima valley, gives q
weight TO their utferances and commands an
attention which individual effort cannot attain.
The work of the club during the year has COW
cred a wide range of subjects and while bat
few OF the matters discussed have been carried
to a successful conclusion. the interest displayed
In many of them by the club viii bear fruit In
the future.
Among the subjects upon which action has
been taken were:
The building of road to the fair grounds
The repair OF roads and bridges across the In
dian reservation.
The promotion of the Portland, Vancouver &
Northern railway
The planting OF nut-besring trees.
The introduction OF game birds.
The Establishment of creameries, starch fac.
torres. canneries, and of a pressed brick factory
The expenses of county officers.
Kidding the city OF vagrants.
The relief of the INDECENT.
The establishment of q packing house.
The location of United States Judge at YAK
ina
The use of home manufactured goods; and
many other subjects
Among the first subjects considered by the
club was the reduction of freight rates for Yak
ina county products, and good deal of CORES
pondenee has been had on the subject with rail
road officials. The result has been that while
we have not secured all that we have asked for
we have been met with a spirit of fairness, and
substantial reductions have been made OF
nearly all kinds OF products shipped in carload
lots, both east and west bound. Freight rates
are not yet reduced as low they should be
especially on broken car lots, and the elut
should not cease its efforts In this direction un
I'll the small shipper OF fruits and vegetables IL
given q living chance TO dispose of his product,
In the large markets.
The efforts Of the club to secure living expires,
rates were met with ample promises on the pari
of the express officers Their promises, l regret
| TO say, were not kept, and we are still burdened
with exorbitant rates to all poin which we
ought to reach by express
Early in the year the club notified the state
| fair commission that it was ready to coo perats
with the commission In the matter OF holding
state fair. The Impoverished condition of the
| treasury of the commission rendered 1t impossi
| bic to hold the annual exhibition without the
cooperation of the business men of North Yak
ina. and almost entirely through the efforts OF
the club the state fair aid association was
organized: and in response to the call for aid
several thousand dollars of money, labor aud
material were subscribed the buildings erected
| and the exhibition carried TO q successful con
| elusion.
The question Of opening the Indian reserva
| ton has been carefully considered, and CORES
pondence has been had with our represents
tives in both houses OF congress.
| The Washington Park reserve has been undei
advisement and steps taken by memorial to oul
representatives TO secure from harm the inter