The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-11-13
WEDNESDAY, NOV. Is, 1907.
A Visitors Impression of Yakima
North Yakima, Nov. z. 1907

North Yakima, Nov. Z, 1907
Editor Herald--Having been for
several weeks a visitor in the city
a friend has requested me to write
few lines and give my impressions
of the town. Permit me to add that
I have visited most of the large cities
in America and accustomed myself
to observe closely. Perhaps the most
noticeable feature is the unusual
amount of people living outside and
coming into town to transact bust
ness. | have never seen as much
outside trade coming into town of
the same population. From early
morning until late at night con-
slant procession of teams coming and
going. Their loads are indicative of
rounding country. A native would
probably think little of this, but it Is
a matter of never-failing interest to
me to see the loads Of produce. Hay,
grain, hops, vegetables, fruit, cattle,
hogs, sheep, poultry, succeed each
other in never-ending variety. A
second very noticeable feature is the
happy and contented appearance Of
the people: all are smiling; all seem
happy l also notice an unusual
amount of courtesy on the part Of
the people. l have conversed with
business men, society ladies, working
men, and their families, school chill
dren, farmers, stockmen. But have
yet to interview any who were not
courteous and obliging in the ex-
IRENE. For a new town, as it is,
consider the buildings very credit
able; some would pe a credit to a
much larger place The people seem
to be public-spirted and there are
few knockers. The business of hand
ling produce has caused manufacture
ing to be overlooked. There is room
in the town for factories in several
lines, and ''the early bird will catch
the worm" There are a few old
shacks which would be better torn
down, some vacant lots that should
be cleaned up, the trees should be
trimmed up, and others set in many
places. l would suggest the organic
alton of an improvement club, to
work along these lines. l think the
water system unusually good, and, as
far as l am able to Judge, the sewer
system is good Street cars, paved
streets, of course, will be here in a
few years more 1t would be well to
have the electric light wires, etc., put
under ground, if the city could COM
pei this. They constitute one of the
most unsightly features of our large
towns. Land set aside for a park
would be of great benefit to the city
in the future. ! observe with pleas
ure that cement sidewalks are being
laid in many parts of the town. These
are far best and cheapest in the end.
l regret, however, to see there is
considerable carelessness in this work
here. l formerly contracted along
these lines in the east and am used
TO seeing the work done a far differ
ent way 1t should be ever borne
in mind that cement sidewalk Is
supposed to be permanent, and dura-
bility as well as appearance should
be considered; if a part of the foun-
dation is hard and the rest soft the
sidewalk will invariable settle I'M
evenly, and break in pieces; while, If
cement is laid without proper thick
ness of concrete beneath it will break
through in patches. Again, If the
concrete is not properly mixed, some
will contain too much cement, some
not enough. leaving soft spots, which
will break through These are a few
of the very serious defects which may
occur in cement work. The city and
porperty owners should keep such
work under constant surveillance; an
occasional visit of the city engineers
is not enough; an inspector should
be constantly on the job, for good
honest work is of paramount impor-
lance and most especially is this true
in the case of a street like West Yaki.
ma avenue. AS concerns the price OF
property I do not consider the pres.
ent prices exorbitant. l am a firm
believer in the future of the city and
consider property a good investment
at present prices You are at lib