The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-01-25
S|XTY.FOUR ESSAYS
RECEIVED IN CONTEST
CLOSE JUDGEMENT NECESSARY TO
DETERMINE WINNER
AT Mt. Morris Much Interest Was Man.
ifest both by Students and
Citizens

tuted by The May Lumber Company
must have been very gratifying to
them from the standpoint of the num-
ber of essays that were submitted and
the interest that was manifested by
parents of students who wrote the
papers and patrons of the public schools
generally.
Thirty four papers, were submitted
to the judges at Clio and thirty-two at
Mt. Morris. At the latter place the
public interest ran very high and sew
eral extra judges had to be called in to
assist in selecting the winners.
The May Lumber Company, as we
have stated before, is to be compli-
mented on its public spirit in this mat
ter. and as they carry a splendid stock
of lumber of all grades in their yards
here and at Mt. Morris, we have no
doubt but that they will furnish the
materials for several homes that will
be built as a result of the interest
awakened by this contest. Following
are the essays which won first prize
both here and at Mt. Morris:
WHY EVERY FAMILY SHOULD OWN ITS
HOME
AS time progresses, and year after
year brings its individual improvement,
we find it more important for each fam
lily to own its home. No matter how
small or how plain, it is their own,
their home where they may bring their
children to young manhood and woman
hood in security and peace.
One need not 60 far to see how hard
it is for the families who are depending
on Others for their shelter. Rent is
rising higher and higher and those who
are at landlords mercy can best tell
the woes and troubles of such an exist
ance.
Young people should start life with
fixed resolve to own home somewhere
as soon as possible,
AS for reasons, they are very easy to
find: A place of ones very own has
several possibilities. You have more
interest in place of your own. You
can beautify the grounds, as well as the
house, and make your community a
better and healthier place to live. You
can also help your fellow men greatly
by your care of and interest in your
home. You can also become better
citizen and broader American and a
more loyal supporter of Uncle Sam.
In these war times it is very necessary
for every one to be loyal and helpful.
What if taxes are high, are they not
being used to build better roads and
such, making your county and state a
better place each year in which to live?
Surely it is better than paying high
rent to your landlord to buy new tour
ing cars and areoplanes.
Whether it be farm or city property,
it is undeniably best to own your own
home. Farmers have indeed large
plan in the world today and farming
has probably never been in such a
strong light as now. Is it not best to
be owner and not have to hand your
profits to the other fellow for rent, or
go to the bottom of your pocket to pay
if it happens to be bad year?
Another reason why it is good to own
your own home in either town or
country: You will have more to say in
community and school affairs, as only
tax payers can vote on such matters,
and every father and mother is interest
ed in the welfare of their children.
Every one is more willing to toll for
themselves than for others. If you
own home every minute you spend on
it is Just 30 much more comfort and
interest. Industry in one arouses am
bition in others and again you help your
fellow man.
Even small city lots offer their pos
sibilities. Often we see small lots,
hardly fifty feet square. where every
nook spells pride of ownership and
interest in nature beauty. Thus to
those with small means and to those
who have great means is the oppor-
tunity offered alike. All may have
tneir corner If they plan and work
toward good end.
Are we not always proud of anything
we ourselves achieve? 1t would be so
with home. Our every interest and
thought would be a happy memory
when we have gained our purpose. We
have feeling of duty well perform
ed when we win home for our loved
ones, and indeed is it not the duty of
every citizen and father?
Then let US be better citizens and
truer Americans. If you already own
home endeavor to make it more beau