The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-02-12
LETTER FROM SEATTLE


years. The system had been esiab
lshed prior to that time but the en-
tire plant housed in a rented build
Ing was destroyed by fire in 1909
and the work had to be freshly be
gun Now, besides the main librar,
building which stands on the cornel
OF Madison street and 9TH Ave. 81,
big branch buildings have been cree
ted and occupied in as many different
parts OF the city and at some dis
lance from the main building and
others are In course Of construction
Aside from these the library board
maintains eight branches and sever
al deposit stations in rented quart
ers conveniently located In various
neighborhoods.
Nearly two hundred thousand vol
umes are at the disposal OF readers
and the number Is being constantly
Increased
As a city OF churches. Seattle has
few equals. Every religious denomin-
alton and every form OF worship
known to civilized peple is represent
ed In the city
Each Of the larger divisions OF the
Christian faith has from six to doz-
en- or more churches located in va
rious parts OF the city The First
Presbyterian church. the largest ed
lfice Of that denomination In the
city. Is located on the corner OF 9Th
Avenue and Union streets and IS
supported by the largest single body
of Presbyterlans In the United States
Seattle has attractions for all
Taken as whole It's array Of play
houses is the finest OF any city In
the west. Five OF seattle's play
houses-the Moore. the Metropoll-
tan. the Seattle. the Grand and the
Alhambia were built for the largest
attractions
The Orpheum, the Empress and
Pontafes. were built and are manag-
ed expressly for the presentation OF
hlgh-class vaudeville. The Clemmer
the Melbourne. the Liberty and near
ly one hundred others In all smaller
sizes. are given over to the popular
photo play,
The liberty Is the finest play house
that il devoted to photo plays alone
that II was ever my good fortune
to visit. Its seating capacity is 5000.
II is located on LIST Avenue, between
Pike and Pine streets When one
passes the box office one finds ones
self In wide winding corridor that
leads to the balcony The incline Is
so gradual one does not notice II and
on either side as one passes up
are beautiful rest and reading rooms
for the men and ladies, and play
rooms for the little folks.
It is almost like strolling through
park the paintings and decorations
are so natural
Passing from the play houses to
the parks and play grounds, Seattle
has 2s improved parks ranging In
size from 8 to 200 acres. In some OF
the closer-in parks and the many
small open spaces in the thickly set
tied portions OF the city which are
under control OF the Park board
there has been much tasteful i'm
proyement. some OF 1t with a touch
Of Formally. but In nearly all the
parks the improvements have been
carried forward with the least posi-
BILE disturbance Of natural conditions.
In some OF the larger and more dis
tant from business centers. the ma
turai beauties are Of such compell-
Ing attractlyeness as to call for moth
Ing save watchful care that they be
not disturbed; and the building OF
little roads and winding pathways,
and rustic resting places that they
may be fully enjoyed.
Children's play grounds have been
given generous attention. The City
owns 20 play grounds ranging from
city block to 80 acres In size.
Twelve OF these play grounds have
been substantially improved with
modern outdoor gymnasium equip
ment Of steel, and other recreation
facilities and experienced men and
women supervisors are In charge.
Nearly one million dollars has al
ready been expended on this feature
Of the park boards undertaking. II
has been the intention Of the park
board in planning those parks and
inlay grounds TO have one within q