past five years. First, we have adopted the commission form of city government. We have issued bonds for public parks, and bonds for the building of a new High School. The High School is completed — a fire-proof structure and one of the best in the South. The parks are an accomplished fact, the largest and most beautiful, "Cameron Park," being a gift from the Cameron family in memery of the late William Cameron, once known as the Lumber King of the Southwest. This park, under the superintendence of a park commission, has been beautified until it is a spot of which a city of much greater size might well feel proud. The other parks are being carefully put in order and will be restful breathing spots in the crowded city to which we are looking forward. An effort is being made at present by the Mary West Chapter, U. D. C., to have one of these parks called "Confederate Park," and they have also petitioned the commissioners to grant to them the privilege of erecting a monument therein, to the memory of Confederate soldiers who went to war from McLennan county. There were no braver patriots and in no better way can education or patriotism be fostered. One of the parks already bears the name of the distinguished "Sul Ross."
Space does net admit of a detailed account of the marvelous growth, and development of the last two years. The census for the City Directory, taken in 1911, shows an increase in population of 5,500 in two years. The building of substantial brick blocks of business houses and hundreds of attractive residences attest the fact that we grow daily. The increase and the manufacturies more particularly have just been exploited in book form by the Young Men's Business League, an organization which also came into being in this five golden years. The sons have truly awakened the fathers and made the welkin ring with the talismanic word "progress."
The coming of the M., K. & T. shops, which brought an additional population of about 500 persons, and the Clifton Manutacturing Company, both located in East Waco, have materially benefited that side. The contract for the Waco-Hillsboro-Waxahachie-Dallas Interurban includes the installation of an electric plant to cost $500,000. It will be located so close to never-failing oil fields and lignite deposits that Waco will unquestionably become a great manufacturing center.
So much has been written on the subject of Brazos navigation that to republish what has been accomplished and what work is progressing were a twice-told tale.
The Cotton Belt extension. 1911, has increased trade facilities, and with the Santa Fe connection practically gives two additional roads.
The geratest of all achievements is the building of the magnificent twenty-two story Amicable Life Insurance building, a structure of concrete and steel, modern in every equipment, just as no other town of its size ever had such a structure as the suspension bridge (forty years ago) so no city of its size today can boast such a business enterprise within its midst as the Amicable Life Insurance Company. The completion of this building nearly one year ago was celebrated by a unique alfresco banquet at which Mr. Artemas Roberts, president and actuary of the company, was introduced as the man who had foscused the eyes of the world upon us by this splendid achieve-
