Newport's Boosters Plan a Fourth—and a Bid for the Courthouse

The preliminary steps for a big Fourth of July celebration in Newport were taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commercial Club Wednesday evening. It was the opinion of those present that a special effort should be made to get up a memorable celebration and that at least $600 should be raised to provide entertainment for the public. Newport did not celebrate last year and there is a general feeling about town that we should get busy and set a new mark in the way of celebrating the nation's anniversary.

A committee consisting of Dr. Boudwin, S. J. Appleman and C. E. Rice was appointed to take up the work of celebration with power to appoint sub-committees to make all arrangements.

Among other matters considered by the committee was the appointment of a delegation to go to Colville next Monday to see the county commissioners relative to the creating of a new judicial district with the naming of Newport as a place for the holding of court. F. C. Krause, C. F. Craig and Fred L. Wolf were named on the committee.

A communication was received from the Northern Idaho Montana Power Co. offering to place an electric sign at the foot of Washington avenue facing the depots, with the word 'Newport' in illuminated letters, three feet high. For the sign and service the company asks the sum of $20 per month under a five year contract. As the sign would dispense with the necessity of a street light at that place the club appointed J. T. Gibbs to see the council relative to their assuming one-half the cost of the sign, the club undertaking to pay the other half. A sign of that character would be as good a publicity move as could be devised and would make Newport the most talked of town on the Great Northern, stamping it as progressive and up-to-date.

Arrangements were completed for the securing of a page write-up of the town and surrounding country in the Western Farmer, a Spokane rural publication.