Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-02-26

enhance rather than diminish their
attractiveness? Why are there SO
few yards well kept, with shade trees
and green lawns and ornamental
shrubs and flower beds, and why, in
every way, should there be such a
general appearance Of neglect and
unthrift?
What is the reason for the differ
ence?
Because it will be found that in
every progressive community small
coterie of energetic. public spirited
men and women have Systematically
gone about the Improvement Of their
homes. They have set examples, they
have devoted themselves to fostering
the spirit of local pride, of home town
work; they have determined to make
their tOwna place most satisfactory
to live in, a place Of beauty, conven-
fence and health; they have directed
their energies toward making their
town the real heart of the surround
ing community. Every town, every
village, is the center, the heart, of it's
surrounding country. 1t may be
weak, inactive heart, scarcely carry
ing it's feeble impulse into the arteries
which ramify the countryside, or it
may be Il strong, enthusiastic, pulsa-
ting heart, carrying the current Of it's
influence vigorously into the remotest
corner of the territory it dominates.
Just as we are sufficient unto our
selves, so as citizens of different states
we are loyal to home institutions
state pride is most healthy attribute
and to carry the idea still further
we may with profit support the insti-
tutiOns of our individual commune
ties, but as individual citizens we are
incomplete. For full measure of
prosperity we must depend upon our
neighbors and our neighbOrs upon us.
AS every dollar that is sent ont of the
United States to Europe or elsewhere
for the purchase of things whic!, we
have ut home is distinct loss to the
country. SO money sent out of our
particular state into another state Ell
riches that state ut the expense of our
own, while it is equally true That our
individual community suffers to the
same extent through the purchase of
goods in distant places which we
might buy at home.
The heart of the community is worth
stimulating, worth nourishing, both
from within and without. for it is the
central force which makes of the COM
munity Il virile. activea and aggressive
place. AS an instance of the value to
the entire community ct the activity
Of the heart. take the case of an mp to
date Iowa town nf some $1,000 or
2O,WM population. Two years ago the
place supported two miserable little
hotels. On the road, among the trav-
cling men. that great moving army
throughout the west. this town was
known as rotten. The drummers
skipped the town when possible, or if
they had to make it they came in on
one train and went ont on the next.
They got through with business as
eNpetlitiously as possible. even slight
ing it t" get to the next place on their
route. where good meals and good
nights lodging could be had. Then
the town concluded that it's business
required Il good hotel. and while the
people were about it they put upa
"swell' one. Now every travelling
man likes to make. He stays over
sunday there. lie stays there as long
rs he can and canvasses every store
for the sale Of his goods. What is
the result ut simply having this fine
hotel: The stores have IA full line of
goods of all descriptions. the people
ofthe community come to town to buy.
for they can get what they want. and
the merchants Il" a big business.
\ good farming community buys
much. The people live well and raise
II wholesome variety of products. but
they buy through the year many
things. According to census statis-
ties. the average of the farmers of the
United States spends s627 Il year for
supplies - clothing for the family.
household utensils. food that is not
raised ut home. farm implements. etc.
This is the average. Some buy more.