The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1909-07-17
MUNICIPAL

WV VI oVtthiihm Wulci
appeals TO every patriotic American
In fact there IL today in our very midsI
certain Socialistie Institutions whicl
are :hs pride Of our citizenship. Ant
because In days past these socialist,
institutions have proven their worth !,
Why today certain type o
Socialism still holds and for that mat
ter will continue to hold q high place In
the affections Of the average American
IL might be asked In what sense Ia
made Of the word Socialism here, and
what institutions are there which are
worthy TO be called ~socialistict That
institution may be called socialistic
which contributes 10 the moral. intel.
%lectual, and general well being Of 10.
eiety and which u supported by the
public. And the institutions which are
. part Of life today which heretofore
may be called rightfully socialistic are
Educational Institutions, Museums,
Municipal Parks, Play grounds. and
the public schools, Libraries, the State
Public Baths. Many others might be-
added. These however are sufficient 10
recall to each reader that the nation,
states, and municipalities are today
contributing to the higher and nobler
w%elibeing Of American life through the
maintenance 81 these institutions for
the many. Ard who would think Of
abolishing them-not one. Now the
same motive which has secured their en-.
Establishment will secure other insti,u
tions Us helpful ~ necessary. The
writer does not hesitate to say that
America has only begun In ner social.
istic mission. The 2Oth century will see
the ushering in all still greater, mighticr
institutions, and the perfecting Of these
which have proven so blessed.
Among the new institutions which
will In time become . permanent part
Of every municipality will be known as
the Municipal Forest Department. And
as this is vital especially to the cities Of
New Mexico we wish to quote In part
what q recent issue Of the Outlook has
&C. say on the subject Of Municipal
Forests: "At the initiative of the
American Civil Association, Iennsyl
vanis has established a precedent which
other states should follow. The Leyis
lature has passed an act permitting the
cities Of the State to establish municipal
forests. In Pennsylvania many town.
ships, burroughs and cities are 80 located
that 1t would be expedient for them to
possess tracts Of land to be used for the
purpose Of municipal forests. In many
instances these would conserve and
protect the water supply. They would
promote the Aealthfulness Of the mum.
cipalities. The act gives cities, burroughs,
and townships authority TO acquire, by
purchase, gift or lease, either forest
areas or areas suitable for forestry.
Such lands may be either within or out.
side Of the municipal areas. Funds to
pay for the lands 30 acquired may be
derived either from current revenue or
from bond issues. Before any land il
under the proposed Pennsyl.
vania law, the approval Of the land W.
lected must be secured from the staet
Commissioned Of Forestry. After the
land has bsel acquired the Commission
will be notified, whereupon IL will be
his duty to make rules for the govern
ment and administration Of the forestry
areas. Such rules will DO published by
the municipality to follow them in its
Administration Of the forestry areas. "
1t is to be hoped the Territory Of
New Mexico will follow In the foot.
'teps Of Pennsylvania and that the
will provide similar oppor
'unities for the cities and towns Of the
,erritory. Suppose n strip Of country
'houid be obtained by the city Of tn.
'uincari adjacent to IL, the Territorial
legislature having given ample pro,
'ision for the right TO establish mum.
ipai forests, for the purpose Of mum.
ipal forests, what a wonderful adyan. !.
age that would be in the years to come. 4
Perhaps what has been worthless
isionary and does not amount to any.
hing-let that DO as IL may, one thing 6
, sure, 1t becomes our city to look to I
he future, and II the territory should
OF make provisions for the municipal G
let the administration Of the I
ity purchase q piece Of ground, plant 1t
trees, and by means Of irrigation
rovide the public with = city park. '
q the city grows the question Of e
ark, beautiful with trees, Ia bound to
'mmand the attention Of the people, {,
'%erefore II Is to be hoped the subject A
tree planting will not continue to s
Iterest the property owners, but the e
~ as well until Tucumesri win have
beautiful . place rs Alanogordo.
Guy N. Mcbride. @