This will demonstrate the intense rivalry between the towns of Burnet and Llano back at a time when the Buchanan Dam was getting restarted after the original company that first started work went bankrupt in the early part of the 1930s decade.

This from The Llano News – Aug 1936

The type was very difficult to transcribe, but this is our best effort. Found the wording of the editorial to be very entertaining.

THE LLANO NEWS

Entered at the Llano Post Office as second-class mail matter under Act of Congress of 1878.

Published every Thursday.

By COLLINS & ELLERMAN

SUBSCRIPTION IN ADVANCE

One year ………… $1.50

Six months ……… [illegible] 75¢ ?

✉️ TO THE EDITOR OF THE BURNET BULLETIN

DEAR MR. CUNNINGHAM:

Probably you misunderstood the spirit which moved us, in a recent editorial, to quite earnestly [or mildly] a young man who seemed to try to discourage progressive thought and [illegible] earnest religious views.

Much of your criticism and evidence of the Llano News’ good humor of you all our friends. We have great admiration for your intellectual honesty and moral courage which you have exhibited in the columns of your publication.

We agree with much you have written. But those letters must have expressed which have indicated your personality deserve to have been [more understood] in the light of responsibility, loyalty, public good, and in your discussion of the local issues, especially matters of the greatest worth in a newspaper that is honest as a contributor and gives voice to the people.

On the other hand, you remind us of a man standing in a street shouting “the house is falling!” He may be sincere, and if so we admire his zeal, but if the house is not falling, then it is not helpful. With all these improvements being made in Llano, surely we are not in the present time standing still or far behind progress and advancement. A few years ago the town was handicapped in many ways, and agriculture, unassisted, could scarcely make a permanent growth. Those days have passed with the jobs now being organized with the help and support of the local banks, and by just working the good lands provided at our feet, we may go forward.

We agree with you that we do not wish to retard, hold back, or hinder the progressive spirit. We also desire movement. But we do not wish from passing the point where the line of discrimination and balancing of our two great factors in a town’s success should meet.

Furthermore, Llano is fortunate in having a splendid public school, one of the best in the state. A few years ago it seemed that if there were to be a high school, it would be done through the sacrifice and missionary work of those who were choosing to go and work it. And that it came, perhaps in a way more wonderful than many towns that number 2,000.

We are reminded that Mr. Cunningham surely became discouraged when you started it.

But it is so hard to keep against progress. If you thought we were misled by persons of our home town, then I say you were wrong. We assume, however, that for an uplift of several movements and are trying to [do justice].

On the whole basis on hope and encouragement, improvement, and cooperation, Llano is now enjoying that which little towns seldom attain. We merely believe, and you apparently agree with us, that Llano will attain a better appreciation than Burnet, but somehow in what Llano will be there is something better and what it will be than that accomplished largely by what it does today.

You were in Burnet’s camp and we were in Llano’s, but for the important fact beneath our forms. Our remark was addressed not to the people of Burnet, but to the portion of Llano.

We are admirers of Burnet’s progress. Naturally we are not, and do not desire, to [speak] of Burnet or any other town in the large region supported by the Colorado river project.

There are those who are ready to speak freely because they have information. There are other times when extraordinary effort and success [must] be accompanied quietly in our mutual advancement.

Llano, we believe, has many natural advantages that should make it faster than the average community with a given amount of effort. You, on the other hand, have many friends in the future of Burnet, whose town you have to take.

We are both right. Any worthy newspaper man who has an ability in his community and who can use it, we give advantage enough to keep up his end. He is a helper rather than an asset to his community.

Here’s wishing you the best of luck and we know that your best for your community will be for ours as well.

However, we confess, however, for the benefit of our readers, we should like to carry the editorial which appeared in last week’s issue of the Burnet Bulletin:

📰 “AN OPPORTUNITY AND A DUTY” (Burnet Bulletin editorial excerpt)

[Quotation begins]

“On the same afternoon a citizen … reading an editorial for himself and his family, taken up the News office and asked if there were any ‘TRUE FACTS’ in the Traveler’s editorial report.

‘If Burnet is getting along,’ he said, ‘all right and the town on the down grade…’

‘I think Llano is a better town than Burnet, I want to state here, but when all is told…’

There is an opinion that we lack our advantages, some of which lie in the gravity business, the water supply, and the soil that has been done in developing irrigation, the town could improve tremendously.

Cooperation and cooperation…

The [illegible] John O’Brien is one of the men who have the destiny of Llano ‘where it stands’ and he is handling his position as a constructive voice, giving valuable to the community and to its progress of Burnet and Llano. It has been moment when what he has said is encouraging and always an advocate of all that is making Llano. In fact it is said that he represents in personality at least the spirit of the town. ‘Keep going to help this town.’ It has been consistently shown in his [efforts]…”

[Quotation ends]

📰 Additional Article Section (Llano News continuation)

The “News” has on the basis for its editorial and personal praise of other towns, and moved with calm that their community will more often be recognized of this type. However, in speaking frankly, these are not opinions alone.

The Bulletin boasts that its school system has never failed; it is held to compete favorably with Llano schools, its water is the same, its soil is good, its citizens are enterprising and industrious.

With all these improvements, what the town may naturally see and feel is the increased demand year after year for its business opportunities and for its citizens who believe in the future.

The more man strives to improve conditions in his town, and be consistent enough in his improvements, just so will the reward come in success, prosperity, happiness, and increased population.

📰 Final Section – Practical Economy

PRACTICAL ECONOMY

Several people do not seem to understand that in the practical world, that is not how to do the most determines the lowest economic activity, but rather the directed resources to the universal investment.

Other economies in the growing town must prepare for the development which follows. It is suggested that all buildings shall be constructed with care and with durability.

Dwellings should be of substantial material, well colored, with [illegible] and air space.

Landscaping—grass, shrubs or trees, vines, should prevent dust, add shade, and beautify the grounds.

Household furnishings are more important—clean floors, neat beds, [illegible] rugs, clean walls and floors.

Proper drainage, good food, proper cooking, and sanitary surroundings should be maintained.

This is an important requirement for modern citizens.