Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-12-25
9h.nQton Standard
DlxrlI'TA, WASH.
FRIDAY NGilNG, EtCENBER 3, 1905.
Isn't This True

Isn't This True
The RecorfCr sees much t. chuckle
over III the prospect Of an Intcrur-
ban Road to more firmly tie Olympia
to the apron strings OF Tacoma, when
1t urges our people TO grant franchise
to the Snoqualmie Light and Power
company. This is the jumping jack
the evening paper has tried surrepti-
tlously to place in complaisant Olym-
pia's Christmas stocking.
Let us consider a few truths and stu
dy their bearing upon local conditions
and results. The very word used in it's
felicitation over possible, results FORE
shadows intent OF Tacoma projectors
rather more plainly doubtless than was
intended. Interurban means as much
inside the city Tacoma, OF course,) as
the satisfied expression onl the face OF
the thomas-cat that has swallowed
the canary. Had a different intent
actuated the master mind that did the
planning, there was the word Suburban
available, that would have conceded
the point we contend for, that the small
communities have a right to exist.
The probability is that on compile
ton OF the Interurban, the smaller
cities connected by it will become mere
hobs to the kite.tails of those who
have, from fortuitous circumstances
been placed for a time in the lead.
The relative conditions existing at
Vancouver, few miles from Portland
on the Columbia river, or of Oregon
City, a dozen miles distant at the
Falls of the Willamette, are shown by
just such tender solicitude Trey are
feeling the effects of Interurhan lines
OF railway, which bring the larger marts
into closer competition with home
markets. A visit to the latter city a
short time ago, where the writer once
resided, shows the effect OF the 4" line
of progress" that has benefited Port
land at the expense of a once rival
city, with its wholesale business houses
as we'll as retail stores. Now we find
merely the latter, to supply only the
immediate wants, and none are making
more than bare living. The bargain
counters of bankrupt stocks, ever.p pres.
ent in the larger cities, are an irresist.
IDLE attraction to those who gather up
dollars to spend instead of releasing
illusory dimes a. they find brief rest
ing-place in the average pocket, and
they avail themselves of the ever.ready
means as cheerfully as our Summer ex-
cursionists make up their minds to 60
on Point Defiance picnics, where an
Interurban stands ever ready to whisk
the bargain hunters to the really, and
in double sense, "cheap," stores of
Tacoma. With an Interurban, the
opportunity would be presented hourly.
at q nominal fare, and Tacoma mer-
chants would not have to put up that
expenditure as premium to draw Gus
tom from Olympia that belongs to our
home merchants.
1t is we'll for our people, when con.
fronted by such propositions to give
the matter serious thought. The epi-
tibet /" Mossback" loses ito point when
it hurtles against the adamantine walls
of eternal truth. The charge general
ly comes from those who bay with the
hounds when the game is secured rath-
er than with the fighters when tho
issue is doubtful; those who come in
to reap the harvest made possible by
the intrepid pioneer.
People are apt however, to build fine
Castles in Spain" planned by shrewd
spectators. When An advance in
the value of realty is suggested. very
few dreamers with small holdings re.
alize that, unless he wants to cell, it
means for him increased taxes and
augmented responsibility. When the
erection Of squares of brick buildings,
or OF palatial residences is suggested,
very few who shout for this glimmer-
ing promise of progress ever admit the
repellant probability that not . single
bat nor an ounce of mortar will ever be
their own, or that the domicile, with
the frescoed ceilings and the oriel win.
dows will ever have . more substan tial
foundation for them than the base.
ess fabric Of a dream"
Much stress is placed on the pre-
sumption that increase of population
is always benefit, and that this will
result from bringing the suburban dis
tricts closer to tho business centers !;
and that other fact is seldom taken
into account that numbers bring closer
competition in all the pursuits of life,
and makes the advantage greater for
the few who have perfect health, some
money, or other influence to aid. and
correspondingly difficult for those who
do not. 1t will intensity the struggle
of life, . fierce conflict at best with
many people.
These truth are doubtless unpalata-
BILE, and may be swallowed with more
ease if taken with the emollients Of
good nature and common sense.
A NEGRO malefactor in Texas has
been sentenced to Q thousand years
imprisonment in the pcnitentiary. 1t