The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-05-30

whose money shall build it. The
truth Of this statement may quickly
be ascertained by referring to its at
titude in times past on this question.
Many applications for franchises
for this purpose have been made to
various city councils in the past, and
ali have been consigned 70 inrocuols
desuetude without very much cere-
mony. There was some reason for
the consignment Dc the Donald appli-
cation. in order to prevent tie mort
gazing of the city to the Northern Pa
cifc railroad
Previous 20 that, one franchise hal
been granted - James +. McNaught.
but was forfeited b. him after lie had
made strenuous efforts 20 peddle Il.
Then came the Rose application
Which was granted and vetoed by Mr.
Fechter, who was then mayor \
second application was made by Mr.
Rose, after he had made surveys at
an expense of about $4,000. The
council was on the eve Of granting
this application. after several months
OF delay. when he announced that he
was unable to make traffic arrange
ments with the Northern Pacific, for
which. undoubtedly. he had 70 thank
Mr.. Donald.
Since then there has been a scare
itv of applications for franchises OF
this kind, and until the Gould fran
chise was received, the council had
nothing TO 80 on Now, they have
one before them that IS worthy Of
thir consideration.
Councilman Armbruster, with his
usual enthusiastic effort to widen his
fame by newspaper notoriety, has
rushed pell nell into print with two
extraordinary propositions. One is
that Gould is backed by Strahorn.
The other is that street railroads are
mo good, nohow."
The first proposition is laughable,
and the second ridiculous. What diff
ference can it make to Mr.. Armbrus-
ter. TO his constituents, or 70 any one
else, who is backing Mr.. Gould? Is
this gentleman's antagonism to the
water company, which is a grudge,
pure and simple, going to extend to
every industry that offers to come to
North Yakima9 Or Is it because he
wishes TO make himself more of a
laughing stock to the community, if
that is possible, than he has already
done. When the franchise was first
introduced in the council, he stopped
the consideration of it by a motion
to adjourn, saying as he did so, "it
don't amount to nothing, nohow."
The statement of Mr.. Armbruster.
that a railroad never did eommun-
ity any good, is not worthy of further
attention than to say that such fool
ishness has, TOO long, stood in the
way of progress and the other men,
bers of the council should not be
moved by these antedeluvian argi-
ments.
The Gould application, no matter
who is behind it, save it be the North
ern Pacific, is worth as serious con-
sideration from the council as it IS
certain the city attorney will give it,
while ii is in his possession.
If Mr.. Gould asks for more than
it appears he is entitled to, negotiate
with him, and see what equitable
terms can be agreed upon. AS an
investor. he undoubtedly is reason
able and will submit to any reasona-
Bile amendment of the APPLICATION.
But we would not blame him for
leaving Yakima disguised, if populis
tie ideas and unreasonable demands
are 10 be made of him. Yakima can
easily afford to yield much to a man
whose intentions are good, and pur-
poses worthy.