Deming graphic., 1919-07-29
THE LITTLE THINGS. TOO. ARE
IMPORTANT


tial advancement We must live in our
little city every day and anything that
contributes daily to our enjoyment OF
life Is quite as well worth while as
scheming to attract big business. In
doing well our everyday duty, we pre-
pare ourselves for the really large de-
yelopment that will come to us as
surely as we are ready to receive it.
Our city government touches our
daily lives more closely than county,
state or federal government, although
we busy ourselves about and take
more interest In the larger AFFAIRS. We
must be well governed locally. I think.
with the support OF the citizens, the
present trustees can be depended upon
to take the lead In any measures
thought to be necessary. But they
most have the interest and advice Of
the citizens before they feel themselves
warranted in taking steps that involves
breaking away from traditional policies
that have the sanction Of long usage.
Take for instance the water rates /:
They desire to do the right thing; but
what do the citizens Of good Judgment
want? Justice must be done, and bur
dens accepted that the taxpayers can
carry. II Is up to all Of us to say
whether or not we want municipal
owership. and then only after we have
been well advised as TO the business ex-
pediency Of the step. We know that we
want more trees and more grass in
stead Of fewer. And Just now we know
that the burden Of the present water
rates are ruinous to the beautifying Of
our city.
The streets OF Deming should have
been paved I'm the business district, ut
least, long ago. Other towns Of no more
resources and less population have
made this necessary improvement We
don't want to fall behind the process
sion. But where Is the money TO come
fromf Just now the city fathers are
trying to hold down expenses in order
to meet n deficit made by the camp,
and they are, naturally enough, bit
timid In taking on burdens that would
not meet with the approval of the citi-
zens. This matter requires attention.
The county has laid the foundation
of a beautiful garden In the block oc-
cupied by the court house. In the
years to come we will have cause to
thank the commissioners that could
see aroyNd silver dollar and into the
future &, visualize the beauty OF a
garden I'm the desert, pleasant TO the
eve, In which our children shall walk
and enjoy the shady grove. In a siiri-
lar way we may thank the chamber OF
commerce for the park near the union
station. II was for many years that a
park committee reported no progress,
until being on the park committee was
considered joke. and the strip OF
land was as bare desert waste OF
shifting sand as could be found In all
the Southwest. But the park Is there,
the physical embodiment OF an intel |
lectual conception which did not ask
that the park produce dividends. Going
hack still further. Who set the trees
around the old grade school, years ago
when the trees In the city could almost
be counted on the two hands? Yet the
wee tots OF the present generation may |
listen to the rustling OF green leaves
while they study their lessons In the
long sunny afternoons, and the grow
ing plants have helped them to larger
conception Of life. II Is q JOY TO see
them playing in the shade Of the great
trees. We can, II we will. build not
for ourselves alone, nor for this. ,our
own generation.
Those that are familiar with the
cities and towns OF California know
what the municipal Fairgrounds means
to the social life OF the city. A con-
munity house with its adjacent grounds
is really the center Of the agreeable
outdoor life that Is to be found there.
Old and young alike may find enjoy
ment In the varied amusements offered.
Apparatus for the playground keep the
little folks busily engaged all day long
under the care OF competent director.
They grow strong and keep strong. Is
not that a great satisfaction? The be-
ginnings OF such an institution Is to
be found In the swimming pool and an
amusement park under municipal su-
peryision can be built around II. 1T
will help solve the problem Of keep
ing our young folks at home. Here
tennis courts can be erected and daEc-
ing In the open air or in pavilion can
be enjoyed surrounded by the safe
guards OF propriety. and free from the
noxious air that pervades the cheap
amusement park where cheap conces-
sions are the rule.
And we should have az least one
parked avenue. A line Of trees and
grass plots on Silver avenue would add
distinction and beauty to q street that