The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-08

MANY of the successful farmers and
others located in the country and in
small villages and towns, too poor to
make agreeable apd attractive sur
roundings, will look about among the
larger cities of the state. especially
those not far distant from their land,
ond other investments, to choose which
one they will locate in. The city which
can attract the largest proportion of
those intelligent and successful people
with their families, to come to 1t for
permanent residence or for temporary
sojourns, will derive far more benefit
both socially and financially than by
RELYING upon the increase of it's exist
ing population and the influx which
may be due to additional manufacture
ing and commercial plants. Undoubt-
edly the city which exhibits the great
est average intelligence in the man.
agement of it's affairs, which has the
best streets, schools, libraries, churches,
theaters. and is pleasantest for resi-
dence, will have an advantage over
cities which are slower and less intel
ligent in these matters. Among the
various advantages which a city like
this can offer to the desirable class of
newcomers referred to, are the parks
and pleasure drives, the public squares
and the Fairgrounds.
Educational Center.
To one who has seen many cities of
this size it is obvious that this city
already possesses marked attractions.
It's advantages as an educational CEN
ter are very great, and it's general
pleasing aspect as before explained, due
to broad streets and their parking,
and to the breadth and size of its
residence lots is another very great
attraction. But it does not require
very much forethought based on a
knowledge of other cities, to foresee
that the population is sure to be more
crowded as the city grows larger, and
that large sections of the city will lose
very much of the attractiveness for
residential purposes which they now
possess. For this reason the policy
would be a paying one to provide orna-
mental and useful open spaces as near
as practicable, to the business center
of the city, while such spaces are still
obtainable at comparatively little cost
Many citizens have devoted so much
of their lives to business and other
practical affairs, that they have be-
come not only thoroughly imbued with
an appreciation of unitarian purposes
but in many cases have greatly lessen
ed their appreciation of the need OF
surrounding life with as many beauti-
full and agreeable conditions as posi-
BILE. If they would think for a moment
they would quickly discover how many
| things they do and spend money
They paint their houses with colors in.
tended to be pleasing; they have
mOuldings and other ornamental de-
tails at increased cost for the sake Of
! their good effect: they have ornament
al carpets, furniture, wall paper, etc.
yet many of them seem disposed tc
neglect to make the surroundings OF
their houses and the parkingS in the
streets in front of their houses neat
and attractive, and it is a pretty safe
guess that the majority of those who
object to parks will be found among
the class who neglect their Owr
grounds and the parkings in front o.
them. This being a time Of compare
tive prosperity. it is particularly OPP
perfume for the citizens to reflect upor
these matters. and to determine upor
doing better hereafter.
Desirable Investment.
| My recommends tions in the way Of
new parks and Fairgrounds to be pro-
vided in the near future are as follows
The most notable typographical anG
landscape feature of the city is Mil
creek, and of the same character on {
smaller scale are the numerous othel
creeks which gave rise to the Indiai
name for the city. I strongly advise
that every possible advantage be taker
laying out parks so as to include them
There are many cases where even q
comparatively narrow strip along &
creek will be an exceedingly desirable
investment for the city. A footpatt
along such a creek in the shade OF
trees, with settees would inevitably be
greatly appreciated by great many
people during the summer. The prin.
cipal effort should, however, be di-
rected toward the acquisition of lant
along Mill creek above and below the
city. For the up-river park 1 recon-
mend that narrow strips be acquired
along Mill creek beginning at the new
engine house at Alder and Park streets
The general lines may be adapted more
or less to property lines, widening Ou
where it could be done economically
| 1t would not be feasible perhaps. tC
have a drive along the creek starting
anywhere near the fire engine house
but the creek park west of Division
street would be of very great value
even without a driveway. The propert!
conditions appear to be such that i
ought not to be unreasonably expen.
sive to greatly expand the area O.
Mill Creek park east of Division street
| ho :,