Milford chronicle., 1916-03-24
The PROGRESSIVE vs.. The
UNPR0GRESSIVE COMMUNITY
Some Of The Causes For Same.

Mr.. Editor:
Having travelled through Delaware
and the Eastern Shore OF Maryland,
! by rail and by the public highway,
we have observed the great contrast
/ between certain sections and commun-
/ tiles, spiritually, commercially and So
cially, and have devoted some thought
to the causes underlying these great
differences.
We derive much pleasure from
trip through highly developed farm
ing section, where the farmers take a
deep interest in the physical condi-
tions of their fences, their barn yards
and their homes, where we find the
cross roads church In a good state of
repair and thriving spiritually, where
the cemetery is kept In excellent con-
ditiOn and the country school shows
the effects of care and interest on the
part Of the patrons, where we find
the people cooperating for the eleva-
tion of the community in every way,
for the common good Of all concern
ed.
We have in mind numerous towns.
unincOrporated villages. cross roads |
and rural communities, being person
ally we'll acquainted over the entire |
Delmarvia Peninsula but our thoughts |
center particularly on two commun-
tiles right at this moment, which are |
situated close to each other.
One possesses all the physical OF
natural conditions that can be asked, /
/. g.. the land is fairly well developed,
1t is thickly settled, in close proxim-
ity to the county seat OF the county, |
situated near a railroad station, also
near a body Of navigable water, the
people are apparently as well inform
ed as any in the state, yet are not pro-
in any sense; the cross roads
church is sadly in need of repairs,
both physical and spiritual, the Gem
etery is badly in need OF attention, the L
school requires a much greater
amount Of interest and cooperation
on the part Of the patrons, there is no
cross roads hall or place for public
the farmers do not hold any
for themselves nor for their
wives, to discuss questions of inter
est.
Now in the second community the
are not any better, and real i
" not so good. all considered, yet the
farmers. through cooperation, have
erected a hall. where they meet very
to discuss questions of in
-erest, locally. state, national and ev-
IN international. thereby improving
heir minds. elevating their thoughts ls
and gaining useful knowledge; they +
lold farmers institutes and their lE
ross roads church is apparently In
much better condition spiritually, the lz
general appearance Of their farms is
much better. and 1t is In short, unques-
ionably a much more progressive com
nunity.
The two communities selected as
n illustration are simply representa-
i've Of numerous other places. Why 6
hould these conditions exist7 Have
'ou thought Of the underlying caus-
81 Is your community a progressive
T standpat one? What Is your idea
or remedying such conditions? Are s
Ou a booster or a knOcker to the s.
mes who are trying to improve con- E
ttiOns In your community?
In many cases the contrast between &
ections Is due to the natural oOndi-
Ions which are hard to overcome, but g
i many instances, as in the two Just 8
AIMED, 1t Is apparently due to human
y alone. IL
AAA 1AD III ~ kQAAAAAuuAAla hIAAu AAG
eOple are very friendly and neigh s
orly. there is an absolute lack of Co s.
peratiOn; selfishness and jealousy e
eing given too much free rein.
Cooperation results in a closer Iks
Ond between the people, q higher e
-andard or morals, promotion OF bet s
II conditions for the children, the e
rOwth of the church, and general s.
ivancement OF any community's vel s.
IRE. United, we stand; divided, we 8
H." II
Competition is the life of business" {.
g have been taught since We were 8
nall. which is a good axiom 80 long S
J the competition Is legitimate, but g
cooperation is the business of hfe," E
Id why shouldn't It be. when great e
and better results are achieved by s.
'Oper cooperation. e
BY AN Observer"