Arizona republican., 1910-05-27
PHOENIx. ARIZONA. MAY 2. 1s1,
Wake Up

the ambitious city of Phoenix to take careful note of a matter which is just now the uppermost topic of discussion at Kansas City-the question of pub lie spirit and pulling together.
 In some manner the news is leak ing out as to the result of the federal census in many cities, and the figures for Kansas City have proved disap pointing. Mir. John Perry, one of the foremost men of the city in enterprise and capital started the discussion by making a statement to the press that Kansas City has not lived up to its opportunities; that the people are snug and self satisfied; that they lack in public spirit and cohesiveness that they don't pull together; that while they have been complacently boasting other cities have been doing things and have forged ahead.
 Commenting upon this statement in warm approval the Kansas City Star said:
 The trouble is that too many men in Kansas City are looking after their own selfish interests, and too few are concerned with the public welfare. There is a lack of disinterested lead ership on the part of men of large affairs Local leaders there are in plenty-leaders for McGee street, for Main street, for the west side, for the north side. But there are mighty few leaders for Kansas City. There are few men of wealth who ever propose anything or push anything for the good of the whole town. Count them over. Rarely does one of them figure in any great community enterprise. Yet successful leadership in com mercial progress calls for men of means who can head subscription lists, who can explain, I put down s25,O00 or $50, 900. and I have put you down for an equal amount, who can say Come not Go Leadership of this kind is conspicuously lacking in Kansas City today Every call finds public spirited men ready to respond. But too rarely is the public spirit in combination with sufficient financial resources to make it in the highest degree effective. The combination is possible. Undoubtedly it is latent here. It must be developed. It is good thing to check up occasionally and face the cold facts. That is what John Perry's interview calls on the town to do. Wake up, Kansas City,"
 How accurately this would describe local conditions by merely substitut ing the word Phoenix for Kansas City,
 There is this much to be said for Kansas City, however Upon reading the Perry interview ana the com ments of the Star, the people of the city became aroused. A great meet ing at the chamber of commerce was held. and a strong organization for the "uplift" of the town began ear nest work.
 There is a great quantity of public spirit in Phoenix. It responds to every call for the public welfare. But the response is seldom led by our wealthiest men It is more often led by the men of very limited means. who strain themselves to the utmost to carry a project through, while the best fixed" men hang back in the harness, wait to be badgered and pleaded with to do their share and sometimes absolutely refuse, on some filmsy pretext, to do a thing Unless there Is special and extraordinary profit for them in the project. Then it is different Then it is. Come on boys. Show your public spirit, Boost" And, like Kansas City, we have too many men who are out with their hammers against every project unless it means something special for their section of town.
 The Republican does not hesitate to say now that the census of Phoenix will be bitterly disappointing to many people who have failed to heed the fact that climate alone will not build a town. This city can be made to grow with marvellous rapidty. Thou sands of people can be induced to come here and build city and subur- ban homes-thousands of wealthy people who are looking for a pleasant place to live and enjoy their incomes