The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-08-22
CITIZENS AND THE DEPOT.

Blackfoot is to be congratulated
upon having secured new modern
depot in advance of SO many other
towns in the state having similar
needs, and there are reasons for ii
that may we'll be reviewed at this
time for the value and satisfaction
attaching to them. In making such
review we do not offer them in spir-
it of vanity or Boosting, but to i'm
press them more firmly upon those
who are responsible for safe and sane
actions of the past and to bring them
to the attention of others who will
think and act upon such principles In
the future in aiding to accomplish and
enjoy other good things yet to be Sc
cured
Blackfoot as a community is repu-
ted to be slow and conservative, yet
it has more of the good things OF
current times than many of the So
called "live-ones." Perhaps the most
potent factor in securing results is
the 'get-together" spirit that mani
tests itself when matters of public in
terest are agitating the community.
When something really valuable and
desirable is suggesed and brought to
the attention OF the public requiring
action ON their part, the subject is
canvassed and differences of opinion
develop. This is the danger point,
and with many towns, the losing
point in the good movement. Differ
ences arise, people take sides, cliQues
begin to spar for advantage over 9TH
er cliques, distractions are brought
into play and the object originally
sought for is buried in the clash of
divergent interests. This is not true
of Blackfoot. They may fight hard in
the meetings, men may subscribe
more money than they afterward feel
that they were justified in doing, but
anything that savors of obstruction
is barred and despised by both sides.
Self-interest is gradually RELOCATED to
the background, concessions are made,
men get into line against their wishes
and their judgement and either help
or cease to oppose, and the thing
sought for is secured while COM
munity less tractable In its individual
characters would fight on and fail.
This has been markedly true in the
efforts Of the past few years looking
to the coming of the new depot, and
those who have participated in the
work will recall with what energy, al
most bitterness some factions con-
tended against the location that was
finally adopted and which now seems
eminently satisfactory to all. If any
body is still displeased he is such a
good loser that he holds his peace and
smiles when others smile, and such
men are the best assets ever posses
sed by community.
There have been many other oc-
casions when similar personal sacri-
fees were made and time healed the
differences and repaid the sacrifice
many times over. We recall the
building of the wagon road to Yellow
jacket eighteen years ago when men
subscribed money to make roads
nearly 200 miles away and were made
glad in month when the trade came.
The efforts made to secure the Mac
kay branch out of Blackfoot instead OF
American Falls was another stroke
of business made at heavy first cost
but repaid over and over as the years
passed. The Aberdeen branch fur
nished another example, the FIT. Hall
Macadam road has its patriots still
carrying their load, but perhaps none
of these brought the satisfaction SO
close upon the heels of differences as
did the case of the new depot.
Equal to a Commercial Club.
Commercial clubs usually exist for
purposes of boosting the resources of
a community and bringing them to
the attention of the public outside Of
that locality. When people come to a
town or go through it, nothing counts
more for or against the place than
the first impression made upon them
as they look around where the train
stops. If there is little ramshackle
depot and some loafers and hoboes
in evidence, it is repulsive On the
other hand, If there is fine modern
building with spacious walks and
grounds, well-behaved people, pretty
parks, clean orderly waiting rooms
with an air of welcome and comfort
and not a sign of the hoodlum ele-
ment, the traveller will want to stay.
IF he gets off a night train and