Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-09-25

Another way in which Muscogee
showed that she is alive was by re-
yiving river transportation. Though
she has three navigable streams, the
railroads Unanswered to get all the
trade and to shut of water commerce.
Then the merchants got into the game,
the railroads after having killed the
boat trade showing a disposition to
raise rates. The same commercial
club already mentioned bought boat
three years ago and began navigating
1t at profit. Two years later another
boat was built, and 1t, too is more
than paying its way. Thus rates have
not only been lowered, but the town
has been enabled to advertise its wa
ter routes as an inducement to manu-
facturers to locate in its midst.
An example of what may be done
for a city by judicious, plentiful and
persistent advertising Is shown by Los
Angeles. In the memory Of those now
living she was little Mexican town
Of 10000, without life, business or
prospects. In those sleepy days she
had the same delightful climate as
now. The only trouble was that no
body knew Of its charms. Now all the
world knows them.
The story of the campaign Of pub
licity by which this fame has been
carried abroad is also the story that
tells how Los Angeles has grown into
a beautiful and thriving city Of 100000
people. That transformation has not
been accidental. 1t did not come of
itself 1t did not fall as mama from
the skies or arrive as matter of
course. Like everything In this world
worth having, 1t was planned for,
worked for, fought for. 1t started by
people in Los Angeles believing In Los
Angeles. They united to spread their
belief throughout the world. In print
er's ink they found messenger swift
er and more potent than Mercury. BY
keeping this sleepless messenger busy
throughout the years the miracle has
been wrought, and the end Is not yet.
The advertising has only begun to do
its work. In the development Of the
new and greater Pacific civilization
Los Angeles has before her n future
that 1t would be idle to attempt to
prophesy. America has not begun to
grow, and any American town has be-
fore her like opportunity II she but
seiZes and makes the best Of 1t. 1t
may not be as great an opportunity as
that of Los Angeles, but II so 1t differs
only in degree, not In kind.
A tale similar to that Of 1.-The City
Of the Angels" could be told of Spo-
kane, Seattle and other rapidly grow
ing towns of the Pacific coast. Yet
the epic of progress Is by no means
confined to the west. One Of Its most
thrilling cantos recounts the manner
in which Louisville, KY, was changed
from city of fractional fights and
feuds that gained her bad name
abroad to one united for home trade
and upbuilding. AS In the case Of
Muscogee, the change was wrought
largely by commercial club. Be-
cause of its intelligent work strangers
are no longer advised to shun Louis
vile. but the impression is going abroad
that she Is city with future in
which 1t is we'll to locate.
The same song Is heard on the At
lantic coast. Boston, Providence and
even New York are organizing publici-
ty campaigns in behalf Of larger trade.
All of this bears out the verdict Of the
Municipal Journal. which puts 1t thus:
at has become n more or less uni
versal opinion in most sections of the
country that any city that does not
Il
vertisement Is dead and sure to fall
behind the time"
JAMES A, EDGERToN.