The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-02

Mayor Gilbert Hunt as he delivered
it at the meeting of the city council:
Mayors Message.
Walla Walla, Wash, Aug. 1, 1905.
To the Honorable Council of the City
of Walla Walla:
Gentlemen-In presenting to you
this. my fourth annual message,
first desire to review briefly the work
accomplished by your honorable body,
and at the same time to thank you
for the progressive spirit that you have
displayed, and for the hearty accord
with which you have carried out my
suggestions of civic improvements.
Three years ago we were at a criti-
cal juncture. We had reached the
parting of the ways, and our next
step would be a decisive one, for up
on the direction we would choose de-
pended the future of our city. Should
we remain a small country town or
should we advance to take our right
full situation among the cities of the
second class Fortunately the decis-
ion was for progress. Much has been
accomplished. One very essential i'm
provement was the reconstruction of
department weak and undisciplined,
partially paid and partially volun-
teer. The regular force was under
paid They did not nave the proper
equipment with which to fight fires,
and although the men were capable, it
was necessary that they receive proper
training.
Better Fire Fighters.
AS to the volunteer company, l
have nothing but good words, for the
young men connected with it were
faithful in the discharge of their self
imposed task. The city, however, had
reached a stage when it was not fair
nor just to ask these young men to
give their services for nothing. The
city was amply able to pay for this
work, and to train men for it. In
the equipment you found one fair en-
CINE, and one which we consider en-
tirely worthless. We had only one
chemical engine and the supply Of
hose was limited. There was only
one central station, located a long
way from the residence portion of
the city, and this was entirely mad
equate to supply the requirements
of a growing city.
Today, while we lack some very
necessary apparatus, l consider that
We have the best trained and disci-
plined fire department in the north
west We have added one sub-station
costing about $6,000 we have added
one first class engine, costing about
$4,000; one combination hose and
chemical wagon costing about $4,000;
We have installed an up-tO-date fire
alarm SYSTEM; and l am free to say
that these improvements, although
costing quite large sum of money,
have saved the people their cost sew
eral times over, and we need not fear
having the city obliterated from the
department.
Streets and Sidewalks.
Three years ago the streets and
sidewalks were in a deplOrable, and,
1 might also say, a disgraceful con-
dition. The idea that we could have
paved streets had entered the minds
of only a few. Pavements were con-
sidered too costly, and hardly neces-
sary. Today we have made a long
stride toward paving the city. Last
year We paved a portion Of Main
and Alder streets, and this year we
are practically doubling the paved
district. We have experimental on
matchmaking Palouse street, and
found the results of this experiment
very great improvement. The eX-
perience gained in macadamizing
| this street will be of vast benefit
CHI 70 n Of hpr
streets where paving would be i'm
| practicable. A large section of Mill
creek has been bulkheaded with con-
| crete, and this not only adds to the
beauty of the stream, but enables the
adjoining property owners to keep
! their property in a more desirable and
clearly condition.
1 shall not dwell upon the many
more improvements, both large and
small, which you have been directly
or indirectly interested in, but shall
pass on in my recommendations for
your consideration in your ensuing
year.
In Satisfactory Condition.
We find the city in a very satisfac-
| tory condition. The improvements
that have been made in the streets
walks and water department have
had a very beneficial effect. Strang-
ers are becoming attracted to the city
because they realize that we intend to
go forward, and to build up one OF
| the lOvliest spots on the face OF
Gods green earth. We nave the sol
and the climate, and the natural To-
cation for a city many times larger
than this at the present time. AL
that is necessary on our part is tC
maintain a progressive spirit and &C
forward. We should redouble oul
forts to carry on the improvements
tarte1 as rapidly as the people are
Hing to pay for them. Our citizens
laVing seen the benefits derived from
paved streets and from other i'm
provements, will demand more i'm
provements in all lines; and l predict
for you very busy year.
Finances.
Notwithstanding the heavy expen-
ditures which we nave made in civic
Improvements, and the added expenses
that growing city necessarily en-
counters, we find the financial condi-
ton very SatiSfactOry Rv the re.