The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-12
WHAT-pIERCE SAYS.

10 the Ed1tOr or the Evening Times:
From certain indications there seems
to be quite large amount-some $4O,-
900 or more-that is anxlously seeking
investment in our city.
The usual drift of financial surplus
age is in the line of manufactures
and public utilities-something that
gives tangible returns aside from divi-
dends. But in the present instance
the bent of the capitalists is in d.
rection of the freak order, so to speak,
besides being prejudicial to the best
interests of society, viewed from the
standpoint of orthodox morality.
For, Notwithstanding the fact that
multiplicity Of places and methods OF
amusement and diversion in endless
variety already abound In plentiful
professionally that ordinary mortals
have time and money for-yet the city
papers are exploiting by frequent al
fusion the intention of adding very
soon three or four additional pleas
ure emporiums." one huge four-story
composite affair that shall eclipse all
others in providing "high-class attrac-
TONS" which means, in other words,
that as an absorbent of the peoples
cash and time, it will grade A No. /,
to say nothing of vitiated taste and
degraded mentality.
Well, we'll! With everybody at play,
as these promoters seem to contem-
plate, where do the "hewers of wood
and the drawers of water" come in?
Or, has the world advanced to that de-
lightful stage of ideal life when grind
ing toll and irksome labor can be dis
pensed with? That is the way it looks,
If these worthy projectors are not pos
ing as philanthropists, but rather
counting on dividends.
He who Is able to set men to work,
give to others a lucrative occupation,
is accounted public benefactor. Now,
1t may be that Grand Forks is fully
equipped with every variety of. tool,
appliance and material that is needful
for economic progress in the future,
and nothing more Is desired in up-to-
dateness to keep step with the metro
pOlitaE procession.
Therefore it is decided by these as
tute business entertainment syn
dicate-that our people, having made
their "pile," provided every conven-
fence, performed every duty, there re-
maineth only the task, now and hence
forth, of relieving the monotony of a
humdrum existence by expeditions
methods of killing time and burning
filthy lucre.
l venture to declare that any SEM
blance of such a conclusion is a serl-
GUS mistake, a cruel fallacy. believe
that our city may be more honorably
and financially benefited by the intro
duction of needed industrial concerns
than by any of the proposed schemes
of feeding on fun or folly.
will suggest two or three that may
be worthy considerations: First, to
overcome some of the objections to
the use Of Ignite and soft coal, a
briquetting plant might be good thing
to set in motion. Second, as lumber
continues to rise in price and building
operations are undated, the manufac-
ture of cement building blocks might
be expanded, to the convenience OF
consumer and profit of producer. Third,
but possibly and probably the most
fattering outlook for remunerative re-
turns, while also utilizing much mat
ter that in it's present form Is a waste
product and a nuisance, garbage, is a
plant to change this into light, heat
and power through the medium of de-
natured alcohol.
These are suggested, and there may
be dozen others as good or better
that shall I'LL the bill for profit shar-
ing and likewise be more in harmony
with business sense and civic morals,
to say nothing Of biblical righteous
ness
Again. II not. why not?
A, J, Pierce.