The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-10-31
SPRINGFIELD Is
MERE GHOST OF
OLD BUSY CITY
Prohibition Makes Formerly
Thriving Center Barren
BANK DEPOSITS $4,000 LESS
Two Blocks Of Vacant Buildings Line
Main Street in Place Of Busy Stores


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The city of Springfield,
in its present cobwebby,
stagnant condition, today
presents a picture, as com
pared with its thriving,
bustling condition of u year
ago, that would make the
angels weep. A year ago
every store was filled and
crowds Of people thronged
its streets. Every merchant
was making money, practi'
cally everyone who wanted
work was employed. Every.
one seemed happy and con.
tented, except the prohibi-
tiopists.
Today Springfield looks like a
deserted village, business is par
alyzed, and more than eight or
ten people on its main street at
any one time would actually be
the cause of excitement. Yet
the Committee Of One Hundred
says: Business is fine in dry
towns.
Springfield went "dry" at the
election last fall, the saloons
closing January !.
Let the "drys" tell all about
these "fine" business conditions
in Springfield after nine months
operation Of their business the
cries.
Although much smaller city than
Salem, the bank deposits in Spring
field have fallen off In the last year
over $4,000.
When Main street finally Is read
justed In the next month or two, prac
ticaliy two blocks Of store buildings on
zach side Of the street west of the
Southern Pacific tracks will be desert
cd, but "business Is fine"
A real estate sale Is unheard OF and
would be impossible on any part OF
Main street, but "business Is fine"
The Springfield Toggery, the bcs,
gents furnishing store, Is now being
closed out by a receiver, but business
Is fine.''
The La France Confectionery Store,
one Of the best in "wet" days, has
closed out, but "buslness Is fine"
o. w. Johnson's Hardware Store, the
best OF its line during "wet" days
already has been sold out by re.
ceiver, but "busincss Is fine"
A. ]. Henderson, the leading dry
goads merchant, occupied double
store year ago Today no occupies
but one store aud win tell you his
business is "about half" what Il was
year ago, but "business is fine.n
The city has run into q 5000 deficit
from an excess Of expenditures over
income, although the .'drys" promised
that less police and court expenses
would make surplus, II the people
would vote the $4,000 saloon licenses
out of business, but that's "fno bust
ness"
The prohibitionists a year ago prom
ised 20 reduce the tar levy, but have
increased the levy this year by five
mills, but "business IL fine.n
Not q foot Of permanent street i'm
provemcnt work has been done, en-.
cept the construction Of . small bridge
over a creek, and that was paid for by
bond issue. Streets and sidewalks
are in u deplorable condition, and tho
prohibitionists are now petitioning the
council TO "double" the expense levy.
II the local taxpayers, but few OF
whom are "drys,' vote down this pc.
tition, the city confronts the same pos
sibility as Oregon City, viz, the ap
pointment Of u receiver, but "business
is fine In dry towns"
Prohi Speaker Fined.
SEASIDE.--J. A. Adams, n prohibi.
tion speaker and worker, served out
five dollar fine IN the Seaside Jail for
failing to obey the local ordinances
regulating street speaking. Adams,
who boasts Of having been arrested ~
times and Of having served ID Jail son.
tsncss, declares that no prefers Jail
sentences to paying fines, as they give
him more notoriety and enable him 10
draw larger audiences. Upon compile
sisn Of his jail term here hs left tewa
al eHss.
D-nI a l. - = =