The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-11-21
The citizens of Fargo. North Da-

The citizens of Fargo, North Da-
kota, realizing the vast importance
of advertising their city, have raised
fund of $1,000 to pay for a hugs
electric sign to be erected on the
top of a high smoke stack in such a
manner that 1t can be seen for miles
away by passengers on the trains.
Several years ago the Commercial
club here, acting on the suggestion
of Edward Fourier, then bill post
er, paid him for painting a sign on
one of his boards which is still
standing on the corner of Front and
A streets, facing the depot platform
so 1t can be seen by persons passing
through on the trains. 1t is not only
a work of art but has more than
accomplished the purposes for which
1T was intended. There is scarcely a
train that passes through without
from one to dozen persons being
attracted by the sign and immediate
ly making inquiries about this dis
trict as we'll as commenting upon the
novel features of the sign. To say
that this sign alone HAS not accom-
plished much in advertising this
district would be contradictory
The fact that many passengers take
kodak pictures of it it sufficient
proof of its merits as an advertising
medium of prosperous Yakima. As
great many passengers alight upon
the depot platform almost the first
question they ask those standing
near them is, as the picture on the {
board over-drawn?" On being IN
formed that it was taken from a
photograph and is true representa-
ton of the scene, they show great
amazement and without hesitation
make many inquiries about the dis
trict. When Mr. Fournier sold out
his bill posting plant this sign board
passed into the hands of Fred Schaf-
err, who is now city bill poster.
The sign on the board is becomin z
so faded from time and exposure
that there is movement on foot to
have it repainted. 1t is also suggest
ed by others who ARE interested in
the welfare of Yakima that other
boards of similar nature be built
and placed in conspicuous places
along the railroad track. Now is the
opportune time, as Mr.. Schafer has
under consideration the installa-
tion of bill boards constructed of
iron to take the place of the wood
en- ones.
A READER.
Farmer" Wants Competing TOAD.
Editor Herald: The farmers in
this part of the country are much
pleased with the editorial in last
Sunday Morning Herald explaining
the necessity for competition in our
railroad transportation opportunities.
If any persons have had to pay dearly
on account of being limited to but
one line of railroad it is the Ahtanum
farmer. Our cattle, hops and hay
have to wait and starve in stock
yards or waste in warehouses until
the railroad gets ready. 1t makes nc
difference if we are on hand with our
shipments at the time appointed, we
are always met with the old answer Of
mo cars
The new proposed railroad, the
North Coat, must put stop to this
sort of business, for if we cannot
ship over one line, we can and will
take the other.
Any person who stands in the way
of the Nor III Coast and tries to hinder
or delay it's coming here to do bust
ness is not true friend of the farm
ers and by their obstinacy or greed
are holding back the development of
the country. 1t would have been
| thousands of dollars in our pockets
| If there had been a rival and COM
peting railroad line through the
Yakima valley years ago. 1t will
now pay the farmers of the county
to bond their farms and themselves
to build a railroad to the markets.
At this time, when another trans
continental line Is seeking rights OF
way through the valley in order to
build and operate railroad in COM
| petition for our trade. it behooves
the farmers and all shippers to see
that the present incumbent does not
come the dog in the manger" act
by trying to preserve it's monopoly
| regardless of it's ability or our me-
cessities. Yours truly,
FARMER.
Ahtanum, Nov. IA, 1906.
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