The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-03-17
BY RALPH II. TURNER

sary to inform the new arrival that
he is In an oil town, or boom town.
He learns that the first time he
makes an expenditure.
The visitor comes to Tampico full
of tales about the bandit operations
in vicinity. He hasn't been here long,
however, before he begins to feel
that the bold, bad highwaymen out
in the wilds must be poor pikers
compared to the Jesse James outfit
which confronts him in the form of
tradesmen, cafe proprietors and hotel
men whose methods, perhaps are less
dangerous but certainly as effective.
It's common saying throughout
Mexico that If salaried man is con-
templating a move to Tampico from
any other part of the republic, the
human instinct of self-preservation
demands that he receive the same
number of American dollars, as sti-
pend that he has been receiving pre-
viously in Mexican pesos. And the
reasoning doesn't seem to be far
I0m wrong when it is considered
that prices are about the same here
in dollars as they are elsewhere in
pesos.
This method of extortion is made
douby simple by the fact that the
dollar posses just twice the value of
the peso, being accepted at one to
two ratio, and by the additional phe-
nomenon that Tampico knows molly
dollars. It's a strange financial fact
that American money circulates here
almost exclusively, due both to the
extent OF American penetration"
ana the scarcity Of Mexican cur
rency.
Old American greenbacks, tattered
and patched together with court plas-
ter, are legal tender in the market
the club or the office, while ragged
Mexican newsboys, developing the
instinct at an early age,
can be seen tossing American nick
els at line drawn on the sidewalk.
Only at the postoffice, the customs
louse and other government agencies
are pesos required in payment
Tampico admits, not without
'how Of pride, that she is one of the
highest priced cities in the world to-
lay. The single fact of being an oil
own would entitle her to that dis
inction, but in addition Tampico is
. foreign community, where food and
'ther accessories for the American
dn British residents must largely
'e imported from the United States.
The oil companies have recognized
he abnormal conditions, not only by
Ugh salaries, but by paying their
mployees expenses, including
board and room,' whether the latter
ignifies lief in a hotel or in one of
le residences that form part of
ne foreign colony. The continuous
rowth of the American and British
opulation has created a demand for 4
ouses, apartments and hotel accom-
lodations that far exceeds the sup
", with the result that many of the
have undertaken to pro
de quarters for their employees,
ther by new construction or the re- h
odeling of old buildings.
Anyone will tell you, mournfully, 4
Tampico'e strain on the pocket v
lok. (
1T costs SEQ American money "a x
" for man who lives in the ho- 3
! bonoaned an American bache- A
r There's only one strictly mod M
IL hotel. This doesn't include any Y
1thing and such" he continued, A
lst romo, food, laundry shoe
inc onw and then, perhaps cock. Y
i before dinner and bottled water a
stead Of the local product that may y
rry disease" <
And then the housewives recount a
W native servants. formerly em- 3
'yed for IS and 81 a month, now A
mand SIS and 500 Chinese cooks,
o prevail in the best kitchens. are v
'eiving from $50 to sos month, NM
200 per cent increase over the old 3
Us These wages may seem low, 8
lie American woman, who can't g
cook at any price. but in Mexi- 3
the scale is different 3
But, then, while Tampico is spend g
so carelessly, Tampico is a great 3
ney-maker It's the story of the =
days. These wages may seem 8
=, to the American woman, who &
I get cook at any price, but in 3
Sico the scale is different.
ut, then, while Tampico is SPEND s
so carelessly. Tampico is a great g
lye maker. Its the story of the Z
bocm-and no one seems to q
~. IL