The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-16

An unspoken speech to the
chamber of commerce, and through
them to the citizens of Spokane,
by w. l.. Bull:
A few evenings ago l was
guest at your annual dinner. and
until quarter to 10 a silent but,
as one of your latest members, an
interested participation in the pro-
ceedings of the meeting that fol-
lowed.
At that hour | felt obliged to
leave. Had | remained l should
like to have had the opportunity
of abiding to two of the four or
five valuable suggestions of Mayor
Moore in his timely and excellent
address. First, in advocating the
extension of public utilities fran
chise from 25 to so years, he unin-
tentionally omitted, as he after
wards informed me, to mention a
most important qualification or pro-
viso, and that was that a clause
should be inserted in the ordinance
granting this extension permitting
the citizens of Spokane in a pub
lie election. say by two-thirds or
three-fourths vote (the figures are
mine. not hiss, to revoke the char
tiers and assume control and own
ership of these utilities, after a
just recompense to those who may
incur pecuniary loss thereby.
Second, | was much pleased to
learn from the mayor that the city
park commission had obtained dur
ing last year more than 300 acres
of land for park extension. 1t is a
wise. beneficial and public spirited
movement in he RICH direction for
hygienic, sociological and decora-
i've reasons as adding to the beauty
and attractiveness of the city
There is another reason for provid-
ing the city with at least one more
park not too far from the center
of population, which may not occur
to the average citizen, to which |
desire to call your earnest consid-
Grafton.
An ordinance was recently pass
ed by the city council, granting
power to the chief of police and
the police authorities to regulate
and control all street meetings.
and to prevent the same, If in their
judgment it seems desirable to do
so. At least, that is the object of
the ordinance and the interpreta-
ton put upon it by the chief of
police. | am creditably informed.
Now, it seems to me undemocratic
and un-American to give to any
public official or city officials such
authority over their fellow citizens,
however fair and unprejudiced
such officials may desire to be. 1t
savofs too much of class legisla-
ton.
Personally, I do not think that
any body of citizens should be per-
mitted to hold public meetings on
the streets, whether for political,
industrial or religious discussions.
The streets were never laid out
with any such object in view, but
solely as means of transit and
transportation for persons and
freight, but some place or places
in every community should be pro-
vided by the community for just
such meetings where everyone can
have ample opportunity to- publicly
express his or her views and to
hear others expound theirs. To Sc
cure this end, at least one public
park should be provided for the
citizens of Spokane. Out of con
sideration to those who cannot af
ford to own or rent hall; from
the desire to give an opportunity
to every citizen to express his sen
timents on all questions Of public
interest, and as matter of public
policy, II Is. think, advisable tina!
some such place should be provid
ed. There is a more or less wide
spread opinion that at least one