The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-02
The ! II Gazette Gazette ] ].

second Class Matter.
s$ Tuesday, June 2, 1903.
THE PARK OPPOSITION.
The men who are opposing the er-
forts Of the Billings boosters to per-
suade the Northern Pacific railroad
company not to lease its right of way
on the north side of the tracks from
REIMBURSEMENT street to twenty
ninth street for business urposes, but
to permit its retention as a public
park. have unintentionally misied
so,1e Of the citizens by declaring that
tie boosters are antagonlzing inc rail.
road company. Such is not the case.
There is not the slightest disposition
gu the part Of the men who are boost
ing the park and civic center agita-
ton, to antagonize the railroad com
pany. They simply intend to let the
railroad company know the sentiment
Of the people Of Billings regarding the
use to which the land now occupied
by a park shall be put.
There is no mistaking what this
sentiment is. With the exception Of a
few people, who we're active at the
recent boosters meeting in the city
hall in their opposition, the citizens
Of Billings desire the retention OF TN
land for park purposes. Out Of nearly
100 persons approached upon the mat
ter by a member of The Gazette force
there were not ten opposed to the ef-
forts, which yer to ne made to per-
suade the railroad company not to
lease the land for business purposes.
With the laying out Of other parks
contemplated in connection with the
new depot it would make a thorough
fare parked on one side for several
blocks. Such a park would create
an unusually favorable impression OF
Billings in the minus of the travel
ing public. The erection Of are
houses would shut off the q to
the travellers and seeing only the por-
ton Of the city around the depot nat
urally they would receive a wrong
impression Of the beauty and business
activity of the place.
St A rrgS;f4i Sc ~,orohnneo that will ho
built on the land if it is leased. The
first floor Of the structures MS
used for retail stores, but it would
be impossible to rent offices in a build
ing as near the railroad tracks and
their noise and SO the upper stories
Of the buildings would be used for
warehouses. The erection Of such
warehouses would reduce the value
of property on the other side Of the
street, decrease the Importance OF
Montana avenue and drive business
away from it.
$ The men, who are pack of the agi-
tation, have considered tn 9 subject
from all sides, from the railroads side
as well as from the city's side. Their
interests r as much the interests OF
Billings as the interests of the men
fighting the proposition. They have
the welfare Of the city at heart and
do not desire to sacrifice the only PARK
in the city for a warehouse location.
There is no disposition to antagon-
ize the railroad company. The inten-
ton is to take up with the officials Of
the Northern Pacific the subject, to
have 1t considered from all stand
points and when it has been consider
ed they feel confident the railroad
company's officials will e the wis
dom of maintaining the land as a
public park. This talk about antag-
onizing the railroad company is anus
Ing indeed. 1t is but an argument be-
hind which stands some stronger rea-
son for wanting the land leased.
The citizens OIL Billings do not want
the a n leased for mercantile eStab-
lishments. They want it maintained
as a public park and when the people
send a petition to the railroad officials,
when the leading business men Of the
community discuss the park question
with them, 1t is believed that Billings
will be permitted to retain her only
park.
TRADE EXCURSIONS.
Helena business men seem to recog
nize the value Of trade excursions t.
the cities from where they start
They have decided to conduct a trade
excursion this fall and have alread,