The Columbus Courier

Mr. Editor: - We read what you and Mrs. Close had to say in the columns of your invaluable paper last week. We think it perfectly in order though should have been suggested a year or two ago. Mrs. Close as has been suggested is compelled to do some thinking. If she had the money she would prove herself right. She is more than taking care of a family, while others, who are failures would discourage, rather than encourage or help her. It reminds us of Columbus of old. After he had conceived and taken chances of telling of his theory of the rotundity of the earth (as you know during the Dark ages people were tortured and put to death for less erroneous theories), he had the finger of scorn pointed at him by the children on the street, so history tells us, which was of course permitted if not encouraged by the older people. He begged, if not for food, for aid to prove his theory correct. Well there is more about this story that is interesting. After applying to the monarchs of England and Portugal and elsewhere in vain; after almost giving up in despair he was assisted by Isabella, Queen of Spain. Yes a woman came to his rescue, getting the necessary funds by pawning her jewels we are told. We may have to resort to getting encouragement and money in this canning factory proposition from the women. There is no delusion about this proposition. Our citizens know we can support a canning factory, by tomatoes only. We have all seen, and eaten the finest tomatoes of our lives that were grown right here in the Mimbres Valley. You've raised them yourselves. Your father, mother, grandparents, in Texas, Missouri, nor anywhere else ever beat this valley. Remember the tomatoes that have been marketed here at 2c per pound. Think of the tomatoes that have been on exhibit here in town. Of the measurements and weights of different individual tomatoes. Do you remember the vine that Mr. Dixon brought to town and by the aid of two other men and a block and tackle was raised to the ceiling of one of the real estate offices. There were estimates of from 500 to 3000 tomatoes on the vine after nearly half had been lost in handling. Of course they were of a small variety. If of an ordinary size there would have been several hundred pounds on the vine. We must help the farmer and thereby help ourselves, if farming or not. With the near by and other markets why allow our farmers to give up such a wonderful industry as the tomato business would be in this valley if we could can them before shipping. 'Te He you can't' has been the knocker's pass word for ages. This reminds me of Blair's poem of a few years ago, 'Twenty Years To Come.' It will come, It is coming. We have the bank, telephone, electric lights and many other things that he predicted. Now citizens we are not criticizing. We are not begging. We should work for our own home. Our own interests. In working for the valley and town we are working for our homes. As we understand it is not contributions that is wanted. It is for someone to build a factory and buy our products. Or let us organize and build a factory and arrange for each subscriber to share in electing the management and participating in the profits and own stock in proportion to the amount that she (or he) subscribes. It is the right thing to do. Is there that difference among sensible people that breathe the same pure air and drink the same pure water. Experience is the best of teachers. Such things must have a beginning. Why not we get busy, instead of waiting until someone comes in and gets rich and is cussed by us for so doing. We can all see it then. Why cannot we see it now? This is not an advertisement: but pure facts. - A citizen.