Imperial Valley press., 1925-05-14
THE BETTER HONE MOVEMENT

n is extremely gratifying to see that Imperial Val
Iev has at last awakened to the Importance of better
homes and that one of the "A communities in
California taking part IN the observation OF Better
homcs Week.
All over the nation attention is being directed to
toe home this week, and the searchght of scrutiny Is
being turned TO its many complex features to as
certain where its weak spots are and where improve
ment can be made.
II is a wonderful thing to realize that thousands
Of people in hundreds of communities all over this
great country Of ours, in Alaska and the Hawaiian
Islands are concentrating this week on one idea-the
Better Home.
We here in Imperial Valley have been lax in the
matter OF better homes. BY virtue of our mild eli
mate and our pioneer exigencies, we have been willing
20 suffer with makeshft Accommodations in the mat
ter Of homes that would be tolerated In any other
community. In many cases, it has not been matter
Of financial strngency that has caused numerous ru
raj housewives to break their backs day after day.
ryng water bucket by bucket from unsanitary pool
far removed from the house. Many families through
out the rural sections are putting up with the same
system of sewage disposal that in vogue 20
ago when the valley was first populated, despite the
fact that experts have been brought in from the uni
versity and demonstrated new, economical and Sanl
tary methods for handling this troublesome problem
1t is not alone in the rural sections where we have
been remss in the matter of better homes. In our
flourishing little cities, it is astonishing to see with
what indifference accept unsightly shacks. un-
painted homes down at the heels, back and front
yards Uttered with tin and debris and other in
tolerant conditions. The prevalent idea, entertain
ed by many who plan to stay in the valley only
long enough to make killing" and then on, has
other one factor EEs-- s~s~- e.<.. ,4..
The writer heard a pioneer woman giving
sound advice recently to little bride who had just
come to the valley. Her counsel sound and logical
and could be needed with benefit by many of the older
residents.
Fit your home up, my dear, if you intended
to live here TO the very last day of your life she said
Don't be willing worry along piece meal under the
thought that you're going to get out in few years. II
you do not stay permanently, you will have had the
JOY and comfort and uplift of decent home environ
ment If you do stay, you probably will, you will
thank for this bit of advice For Is years have
been talking of leaving Here still and will
probably remain till the end of days for none of
US would be willing to live anywhere else permanently
now. When think of the tragedy of the years did
without the comforts and conveniences of the real
home l should have had, even long after we had
reached point where could afford 1t, | could
weep with sheer regret ......
Sounding this creeds of better living to the
generation springing up about is the most efflc
ent way of spreading the gospel of better homes Liv
ing today has become fine and enjoyable art when
attended By all the modern appliances that science has
evolved. We ii to the spiritual and intellectual
development of ourselves and our families to sur.
round ourselves with the best possible home environ
ment our means will permt-znot gaudy luxures, but
aids that will eliminate drudgery and make home more
beautiful and comfortable.
Creating home is worthy of all the time and
thought lavish upon it. The rewards far
in of the efforts expended that it is marvel
that Imperial Valley people do not realize the
splendid satisfaction of achieving better homes.
"Its no fun being crook" concludes 11-year-
old Los Angeles boy, caught with the goods on him.
But most of them don't find it out so early.
1t seems TO be Canada's function nowadays to fur