The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1907-04-11
SFrom Fridays Dailyy


Ter, in speaking TO the citizens and
visitors who had gathered to witt
ness mo ceremonies this morning at
tho driving OF the first spike in the
amarillo street railway. Al tho
turn out on Polk street, In front OF
the Amarillo Grain and Coal Co. s
store where the temporary switch
merged into what viii be the main
line. the officials OF the city and of
the railway company officially made
the beginning OF this important en-
tsrprise.
"In the last year or So" said the
mayor in his brief opening speech,
the city OF Amarillo, as a city, has
made many steps forward, will not
take your time to enumerate the
things which are we'll worthy OF con-
sideratIon. But will enumerate
them as among the most important;
the new city building which now
houses the different branches OF the
cIty government in a manner comen-
surate with their dignity II houses
the Amarillo fire department, which
is the pride of every citizen and
which shall put in first place, not
only among the departments Of the
state, but in the first class with all
the volunteer fire departments In
the land. We have city park on
which we have successful begin
ming Of the work which will make it
a garden spot In this great country,
We have a police department, where
year ago we had none. We have a
street force, which during the past
year has made improvements which
will result IN the beterment OF con-
dltions In the town for all time TO
come. and tho street department is
becoming more widely useful all the
time.
I'm the past year we have secured
an expansion to the bounds OF Am
arillo. which increases the valua-
ton OF property now within the lin
us TO nearly million aud half dol
lars. The money from this increase
will not be available until next Janu-
airy, but some OF the material bene-
fits from that expansion will DO
available. and will be made TO tell
for the city's good the. coming sum-
mer.
But we are not satisfied with the
showing made, and we are reach
Ing forward TO newer and better
things. This progress needs for the
council, for the mayor, for every
agency which Is adding to tho good
OF Amarillo, the unanimous and un-
reserved support of all the citizens.
The act OF driving this spike is but
bign Of the citY,s progress and your
presence here is but sign of your
cooperation in the building Of the
city"
The First Spike.
The mayor showed his ability as
steel layer by hitting the spike square
on the head and sending 1t we'll into
the tie by two blows.
'on behalf OF the board OF direct
ors," said Secretary shireman, who
next took the sledge. Il thank you
fellow citizens for this opportunity
for formally showing the intentions
OF the Amarillo Street Railway COM
pany. one year ago, the city coun-
eli granted a street car franchise to
Messrs. John L. Brock and Harris,
Of Decatur, Ala. 1t didn't look right
to some OF the citizens OF Amarillo
to have the first railway here con-
structed by outside people so the
present company, all the members
OF whom YOU know. was organized,
bought tho franchise, and has now
begun work on the lines. Every PEN
ny's worth OF machinery, steel and
equipment Is being paid for by ANA
rillo capital. There is not dollars
worth Of bonds or mortgages on this
work. This is but sample OF the
work we are doing and we viii push
every bit OF the work. We Will have
these lines constructed and all the
cars in operation within five months
time"
The Best for Amarillo.
eve expect to give Amarillo the
best street railway system that can
be constructed anywhere said II. A..
Mobiles. who next took the slcdge.
ron January II OF this year. tho
present company completed It's or
gapization and bought from the Ala