Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-06-07
LIKES LEESVILLE AS TOWN
BUT SAYS NO PUBLIC SPIRIT

Editor Democrat:
AS stranger in Leesville, one who
has come South with the idea of MAX
ing my home somewhere in the west
ern part of Louisiana. want to tell
you how this city appeals to me. |
think readers of your paper will be
interested in knowing how strangers
look on your city.
The first thing | noticed was the K.
c. S. depot. 1t is a good building,
comfortable, well arranged, and att
tractive. But | don't like its location.
1t is clear out of Leesville. | thought
the few stores and restaurants south
of it were the whole of the town. 1t
was some time, and only after | had
asked some questions that / learned
that the business portion of Leesville
is north, around the bend in the street.
Just as suggestion, why not have a
sign and hand pointing downward
to let visitors know where to ago2 |
think it might be money in their pock-
cts.
WheA | finally did reach the busi-
ness part of Leesville, | was not sure
whether the town is one to admire or
not. The Courthouse and its lawn
make pretty setting. But there are
some old wooden buildings near it
which should be torn down. They de-
tract from the appearance of the
town very much.
One of the worst things is the fearful
condition. of the street. | understand
that it is likely to be improved and
made part of the good roads system,
but | do not see how wide-awake mer-
chants can allow such street to ex-
ist. They must have lost enuf busi-
ness to have paid for a good street.
| have learned since my stay in Lees
vile that people find it more oonven-
lent to send away for goods to come
by mail than to travel up and down
the main street, especially if they have
to come over poor roads to get to
Leesville.
The hotel is a good one, much bet
ter than is found in many cities Of
much larger size. So is the new NOV
ing picture theater. 1t is commodi-
Gus, clean. neat, and modern, some
thing that Leesville can be proud of.
! cannot compliment Leesville mer-
chants on their progressiveness. i wish
| could, for they are good men and
apparently good citizens. Perhaps
they know their business best. but their
lack of interest in customers is quite
noticeable. have gone into stores
and waited for clerk or even the pro-
prietor to finish some friendly visit
with someone who was merely there to
while away a few idle moments. |
have always had to state my wants in
detail. No effort is made to learn
whether or not | want more goods.
When what | want is not in stock, no
effort is made to suggest something
else that might do, or to order the ar
ticle for me. / have even had to find
the article, the merchant himself not
being aware that he had it on the
shelves.
1t seems to me that a really wide
awake merchant would meet his pa
irons at the door, would suggest pur-
chases to them, would help in making
selections, give them honest advice,
urge them to buy more by making sug-
gestion of items that might be forgot
ten or which might be needed in con-
junction with the principal purchase.
think that he might even offer to
place the order for whatever may be
lacking in his stock that the customer
wants. Then it would not be necessary
to say to customers as they leave,
Call again They would want to do
so anyway.
Some day a merchant may come in
who will use these methods and who
will attract to his store the trade be-
cause he will make his store place
of service.
In saying what I have do not want
to criticise. merely want to point
out what impression is made on a Wis
itor.
Leesville has several good garages.
was quite surprised to find them so
large and well equipped in place
where there are no good roads. 1t
speaks well for the prosperity of the
place,
There is noteworthy lack of pub
lie spirit in LeesviIle. PEOPLE are self
centered. They have not been awak-
ened TO the spirit of today. Not that