The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-09-08
CITIZEN VS.. TRANSMITS

Oftimes in the history of towns. there are in
cidenis that come up that should have the at
tention OF business men and those who are inter
esied in the development OF the country and the
town that sometimes are treated ghtly--in fact
never thought OF in the true light OF loyalty and
Justice Incidents OF this kind have come to ouI
notice during the past year. and have caused US to
think more seriously about the question. and has
brought us to write this article. The story Is like
this and referring to anyones special trade OF
profess but for the benefit of the argument. we
are going take these two names to illustrate what
we want to impress upon the minds OF the people
as to their duty toward citizens transients: MIR
Citizen and Mr. Transient. Mr.. A. Good Citizen
has been here a number OF years he is painter
by trade. Has painted lot OF the houses in Lub
book He has bought his paint from the various
paint houses has paid his bills at the end of each
month promptly. and has done good work-high
grade work and his reputation for good service is
established. He owns a nice home in Lubbock,
pays taxes here. votes for the things that are Tor
the best interests of the community as he sees 1t,
and is doing everything he TO make an hon
est living and help develop the town and commu-
nifty Everything runs smoothly. Times good
the country is prosperous. People do not think
much about prices and they willing to pay for
the very best work and the very best grade OF ma
terial and want first class work. and know that Mr.
Citizen will do it. A few months pass change
has come about the country The cotton market
The cattle and hog market has blown up and the
banks not loaning any money. Times are not
as good as few months back This condition may
not be as bad in Lubbock as in other parts of the
country, and the fact of the business this is very
often the and there is still something doing in
Lubbock. Mr.. Transient, the other fellow has
been living in another town where they do sup
port live Chamber of Commerce. The people
are not progressive Business is at a stand still
and the town is slipping backwards Mr. Transfer,
has read the Avalanche and learned that there is
some business activities in Lubbock and he picks
up and comes to see about it, He is a painter
also and is probably a good one but the people
do not know him. He hears of a job OF painting
and wants to figure it. The Lubbock man get.
his figures and also has Mr. Citizen make an est
mate of the work. MIR Transient thinking he car
skimp the job and get by with it, says he will dc
the job for $3.50 30. Mr. Citizen figures that he
must make a reasonable profit in order to pay
his taxes, support the churches schools ETC. pa,
his grocery and paint bills and figures that he car
d othis job and do it well.--his usual way. foi
$500. The Lubbock man says this is much
difference and gives Mr. Transient the Job II,
does the work He dilutes the pant, skimps Over
the walls because he never expects to be in the
town again after he has done a few Jobs. Though
he has guaranteed his workout what OF his guar
antee He buys his paint with promise to pay fo
it when he finishes this job He does He get,
another Job much the way. He maybe pay,
for the material in this job He gets still another
Job because he is so much cheaper than Mr. Ct
zen. and by this time he has made enough money
by skimpng his Job TO get him of town. ano
away he goes. He forgets to pay for the last two
or three paint bills, and the paint dealer lose,
more than his profit on all the paint Mr. Transient
has bought During this time Mr. Citizen is with
out work and his grocery bills are getting behind
His taxes are coming due His phone bills. and
light bills and his water bills are accommodating right
along. and all because the Lubbock man was not
thinking about what he was doing Just because
there were few dollars difference in the price
but much difference in the quality OF the
work few months roll round and the paint
begins to slip off his house and he realizes the
difference in the quality of the work
This illustrates the conditions in Lubbock Just
The point to make is this. Give
the fellow who has been here and who has helped
build up the town and in a way has helped you
to build up your business. the right of way over
the transient who is not citizen Of the only
FOR few weeks a month at the outside
We submit the fellow who is a citizen here.
who has built up reputation for high grade work
and is factor in the upbuilding of the town de-
this much consideration. Mr. Lubbock man.
don't you>
We not upholding the fellow whose prices
unjust, but do believe that the home man
should have the business If everything else is any
thing ike equal. Patronize home people as long
they deliver the goods then others will come
and their lot with us and become good citizens
rather than vultures