Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-02-24
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As might have been expected. the re-
ceptlcn Of the proposal TO pave Dem
ngS rough-riding streets was received
In some quarters with hostility. In
others by no less paralyzing dissem-
bling ana by some with whole-hearted
satisfaction. The Graphic has been
the target OF all kinds of arguments
bitterly assailing the project, but an
alyzed, they simply Indicate the deter
mmatlon of the large property holders
TO hold property at eXorbitant prices
and at tine same time keep down the
expenses of holding. This Is the SIM
pie. unvarnished truth and can be
shown by many specific Instances. II
/, true that numbers Of these owners
are In financial dlfficulties-are prop
erty poor: but that does not worry
them. IL they are permitted to main
tain their hold. OF course, many Ut
These people have long ago retired from
active business and they find their
rentals insufficient for maintenance.
SO long as the conditions are as in
Dictated. there is no hope Of ever paw
ing the disgraceful streets OF Deming'
The arguments advanced against the
project were good thirty years ago, are
good today and will be just as conyinc-
ing hundred years from now. Mean
while Deming Is falling behind the pro
gressiye march of New Mexico cities.
Nossbacks refuse to read the signs OF
the times-the prosperity that knocks
at our door for those with the strength
and determination to take advantage
of il. Every night our hotels are
crowded to Overlooking with prospec'
tors for homes. Naturally the most OF
them pass up Deming for dead one.
Put yourself in their place and you
won't blame them. Many tourists pass
through the city in automobiles every
day. These people are looking for
their ideal place for home. After
riding ON the worst bit of road be-
tween EI PaSo and Tucson, Deming'S
streets. they are not likely To remember
us with any degree Of yearning. We
won't give these people decent camp
ing ground and n great many of them
90 outside the city for a dry camp.
IL can be- easily shown that property
values here, and fortunately so, are not
low: that rentals are comparatively
high. considering the period Of depres-
sion following the initiation due to the
camp. BY taking any Of the old build
ings ON the main thoroughfares II can
he shown that they have paid for
Themselves over and over again. But,
ms n matter of fact those who have
made the most are the least keen for
the paving.
Deming has been a progressive city,
the great example 10 other towns OF
this section, and in a large sense Dem
ing Is still progressive-it has the pos
sihilties for larger growth. But no
person or community can rest on its
hard won laurels-it is necessary to
keep abreast the times, otherwise the
tortoise will win over the hare. We
need not preen our feathers because we
have voted for schools, for sewers or
for any OF the modern improvements
we have installed. A man might just
ns well boast that he has bath tub
in his house or that he sends his chill
dren to school.
We have progressed some since the
Apache signal fires died from the sum
mits Of Cooks Peak and the Arco de
Diablo. but our streets today are not
80 good as then. and the hogan OF the
aboriginal inhabitant would still be
good match for them.
The principal business streets are
part Of the plant which our business
men use in tansacting their business.
II is here that buyers and sellers meet
and il is here that the money which
keeps the town alive is collected. IL
is the worst kind OF superstition to
hold that no bargain is valid unless
hands are clasped while the principals
are standing ankle-deep in s'nd.