Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-07-25

Is Aberdeen progressing or mark
ing time? This question is not idly
put by the Herald, but is one that is
agitating the mind of every thought
full citizen of the city who has observ-
ed the course of the city's progress or
otherwise in the past two years. The
query that should apply to every
live citizen of Aberdeen at this time,
is: "Am l Doing My Duty in Making
Great City Here?"
The recent acto of the legislature
permitting cities like Aberdeen to levy
tax for publicity purposes appeals
to the Herald, and should appeal to
every fair minded person, as an equit.
able proposition. If John Jones Is
willing to sit idly by ard observes his
neighbor, John Smith, spend his time
and money in increasing the value ol
the property of each, why should
Jones give up minute or dollar!
To some minds, he would be foolish
yet, in the minds of others he is com
mitting form of moral larceny in
appropriating the result OF the labor
and expenditure of others to his pri
vate use.
The value of property Is guaged by
but one standard. It's desirability
That desirability is altogether manu-
factured, by you, and the other peo.
pie whose presence and labor in a
community create a desire for others
to there locate.
Aberdeen, like all other places of
advantageous location, has it's moral
petty larcenists; numbers among it's
so-called best citizens a number who
have waxed rich without having aid
ed in the expense necessary to the
growth of the city, to which growth
they owe their present prosperity. It
is to reach this class-largely non
resident-that the law enacted by the
recent session of the legislature was
enacted. To secure the expected re-
suits from this act, it is absolutely
necessary that the people Of Aberdeen
signify to the city council their wish
that the council recognize the law,
by making the permitted levy. With
this idea in view the Aberdeen Cham
ber of Commerce has issued the fol-
lowing circular letter, that should be
read carefully by every citizen in
terested in the growth and prosperity
of Aberdeen.
Dear Sir:
Did you ever stop to think that the
future of city depends to large ex-
tent on the ideals set for it by it's
citizens? No matter how high this
mark may be, 1t will ever remain in
the distant future, unless the present
day citizens work with the great goal
ever in view. No doubt you are now
doing all that an individual can to
help our city reach this high place;
but remember that this is an age of
united effort in all branches of hu-
man endeavor, and this is especially
true in city building.
The Chamber of Commerce has as
its basic principle the uniting of the
efforts of all of the residents in sys-
tematic endeavor for the upbuilding
Of Aberdeen. Many mistakes have
been made in the past; but these may
have been due to the lack Of interest
of yourself and others who should be
active in this work. Some who have
been active members have dropped
because of some personal difference,
or because their pet hobby was slight.
ed. This is wrong. The majority must
rule in any organization, and personal
prejudice and opinion should not be
permitted to undermine your support.
The future, however, holds golden
prospects Of a great city If you and
every good citizen will but put his
shoulder to the wheel.
The state legislature has given to
this city the power to levy a tax for
it's resources, stimulating
its commercial interests and increas-
ing its producing capacity. This bill
8 so construed that the burden of
this publicity expense will fall direct.
ly where the greatest benefit will
come-the property holder whether