04/03/1950
Truth or Consequences, N.M. – After a solid week of furious activity, Truth or Consequences Sunday settled back to watch for results after changing its name from Hot Springs.
The Hollywood touch was gone from this community of sunshine and health water, as cast and technicians of Ralph Edwards’ radio show, and photographers brought along with the party, broke camp. Last civic reception fro the group was a barbecue given in renamed Ralph Edwards Park.
There was a slightly let-down feeling Sunday after the growing excitement climaxed with Saturday’s parade and two shows of Truth or Consequences. But the stores still carried their signs blazoning the new name and over-head banners at each highway approach still read: “Welcome Ralph Edwards to Truth or Consequences.”
The town already has profited by an estimated $10,000 from the proceeds of Saturday’s shows, turned over to the Chamber of Commerce for civic purposes. But Hot Springs was gambling on bigger stakes when it voted better than 4 to 1 to make the change. It was hoping that millions of Americans would learn for the first time what health opportunities there are here and many would come for their first visit, spreading the gospel to others.
PROMISES TO PLUG TOWN
Edwards had committed himself to nothing in advance of the vote, other than to assure residents that he would do his best to plug the town in return for the publicity value it would give his show.
Saturday he said he would bring his Truth or Consequences museum here, and that he would help make it an arthritic center as he has aided the heart fund for some time through his program.
Other programs set in message of congratulations after the broadcast there were reports that several producers were looking over other communities with the intention of having their names changed to proved a headquarters for the show.
There were two groups in Truth or Consequences Sunday: Those who doubt that the pull of the radio program will help the town materially and justify the change, and those who see an unending pot of gold at he end of the rainbow. There is no middle group. The red hot faction even talks of changing the Government-owned free Geronimo (“Geronimo’s men drank here”) Springs to Ralph Edwards Springs.
Roy Stovall, prominent cattleman who appeared on Saturday’s broadcast show, Sunday was making arrangements to place mileage signs telling the distance to Truth or Consequences in cities as far away as Cairo, Egypt, as one of the show stunts.
Printers are looking for a boom as business houses begin changing their letterheads, envelopes and advertising to include the new name.
I was a young girl in Pa., and had listened to the promotion for the name change on the radio. Little did I know that I would one day often visit this famous little town while I lived in El Paso and Socorro, NM.
Posted by: Nancy Hoak | November 05, 2011 at 09:49 AM