Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-09-17
ACTION, NOT WORDS, WANTED
Ladysmith, Wis, Sept. 13, 1872


Editor News-Budget:
/ have read the Pep letters of
Messrs. Ballou and Blackburn appear
ing in your columns with good deal
of pleasure. [ appreciate and enjoy
nice things we'll said, but | fear that
fine phrases alone will not stir the
people of Ladysmith to action nor >di-
rect their energies along constructive
lines for bigger and more prosperous
city If they will, then by all means
let us secure the services of someone
skilled i'll the art to boom our city, its
people. our soil and our farmers, and
then sit back, according to our ingrOw-
ing custom, heave a big, empty sigh
like that of recently defeated candi-
date for office, and pronounce our duty
well done This is not said in criti-
cism of the letters referred to because
they were both suggestive and instruct
i've.
But progress means something more
than to say and write nice things or
to wear another mans collar. chain at
tached bearing the now hybrid legend
Progressive" 1t means tireless ac-
ton and we'll directed energy coupled
with enthusiasm and an undaunted be-
lief that the end sought will be at
tanned.
Are we truly progressive. as l have
tried to define it, or are we satisfied
by seeing the word plastered on politi-
clans, bill boards and backyard fences?
There is some evidence patent even
to the casual observer that we are.
Many people do too much fault finding
indulge in too much destructive criti-
ciSm. knock and even revile those who
are generously putting forth their best
efforts. either as public officials or as
private citizens. Let it be said, how
ever, that this spirit is not now as
strong as it once was. But the atmOS-
phcre Of our city is yet so charged with
the deadly gas eXuded by these NAL
contents that very few of our many
able men and women will aspire to
public office or enter intellectually
into the spirit Of building a larger and
better city. which involves the making
Of more prosperous and united coun-
ty.
How are we going to get out of the
bog and onto the real highway of prog
reSS? Can it be done while our big,
energetic men and women, young, mid
dleaged and old, are in cellars with
gas masks on? Never Then let those
who have become immune. or partial |
ly so. to the carbOnic oxide gas of
The MiSerableS" form a committee of !
rescue and when this is accomplished !
insist as a reward for such heroic !
work, that the rescued take an active
part in civic affairs and give the city
the full benefit of their business ex-
perience. This they will gladly do if |
assured that their efforts will be APP
preciated rather than condemned ac-
cOrding to past custom. [ think Mr.. |
BallOu had some such thought in mind |
when he proposed committee that |
would hold regular sessions and prove
itself to be something more than a |
mere paper affair.
We want, and must have. more men |
right out in the open, with their coats |
off. taking part i'll public affairs. You
can't kill elephants with toy pistols, !
nor can few good men do the work |
of an army. Cities are not built by |
pigmy minds or curb-stOne knockers, |
but by men Of brains and action in |
the same manner as any great private |
business is built up. and just as truly |
reflects the character of the builder |
We have Il wealth of talent all |
growing stale for lack of appreciation !
and consequent inactiOn. Its loss means |
civic bankruptcy. The country around |
us is developing more rapidly than the
city, which indicates better organiza-
ton, better teamwork and more pro-
gressive action on the part of our rural |
neighbOrs than the city enjoys.
Is it not worth while to find out why /
this condition prevails and apply a
remedy? Why are forest and other
products used by our farmers bought |
at neighbOring villages and even as
far away as Bloomer by our immedi- !
ate farmers? And why do they haul
their products past our markets to
other places? Why is it that one
hog. a veal calf and Il bushel of beans
glut our market? These and other sim
liar questions must be studied and an
Swered and the evil corrected if we are
to be counted as a progressive city.
Hurting verbal bricks at the author
of this letter for making such inquir-
les will not solve the problem. Sleep
ing on a candy pail, waiting for the
bi-mOnthly pay roll may denote com
fort hut it lacks the necessary action
and business enterprise TO keep pace
with our rapidly developing rural
communities We want, and can have,
the biggest and best creamery in the
northwest. We want, and should have,
market for all kinds of farm prod
ucts where the farmer can get a square