The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-08-03
MANKATo FREE PRESS.
NORTHWESTERN HOME TRADE
ASSOCIATION.

Mr.. Geo. w. Parker, of Minneapolis,
secretary of the Northwestern Home
Trade Association, of which Mr.. Jno.
A Willard, of Mankato, is president,
and which was organized in Minneapo-
lis, last May, is in the city making the
acquaintance of our manufacturers,
jobbers and business men.
The FREE PRESS has at different
times spoken of this organization and
given something of its aims and OBJ
jects in the direction Of northwestern
business interests. This is not a st.
Paul or Minneapolis organization, but
is broad in it's work to the extent OF
including and aiding any and all
northwestern cities. 1t is a matter
which should enlist the interest of
every citizen of this community, as
every dollar sent abroad is removed
from circulation at home and will be
very slow in reaching back into the
channels of trade here. The question
at issue, and one Of concern to all is,
how can we look for profit from our
neighbOr if in making purchases we
send our money away for that which
can be had here?
In these times of selfish interests, it
behOoves cities, towns and villages to
strive to be self-sustaining, and by
building up sentiment of loyalty to
local interests, much can be accom-
plished in the way of helping each
other. This is merely matter Of
business, and good business judgment
will dictate it's value. Everything be-
ing equal, it is but just and proper
that the preference be given to home
goods. In this there is no injustice to
Others but the movement is intended
to bring into more active thought the
propriety of buying from him whom
you would have buy from you-a SIM
pie problem of reciprocity in trade
and protection to home industries.
AS state, our geographical location
is such that we are receiving the pro-
duct of the mills and factories of every
eastern city, while we are cut off from
reciprocal exchange of our products
with the two exceptions of flour and
lumber. We market these products,
the former all over the world the lat
ter in numerous states, because
nature has made us the center OF the
raw material, hence the uneQualed adj
Yantages enjoyed in their manufacture
A similar organization to our North
western Home Trade Association in
Nebraska has done a marvellous work
in calling attention of people in that
state to it's natural and manufactured
products, and has resulted in value to
manufacturers and merchants beyond
computation.
OThis work so auSpiciOuSly begun,
carried on broadly and vigorously in
the northwest means the development
of a new inspiration. 1t means in
creased business for our manufactOr-
les, constant labor for our Workmen,
the development OF new industries,
and the bringing together IN closer
social and commercial relations this
vast northwestern territory which is
an empire within itself only as yet
slightly developed as compared with
its possibilities.
1t is hoped by Mr.. Parker that be-
fore he leaves the city he will more
thoroughly interest our business men
in this new organization, and that a
local association may be formed here.
We trust he may be received with
that cordiality which his mission
surely warrants, and which as a gen
tleman engaged in most laudable
work he richly merits.