The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-03

by inducing manufactures to locate
here. It is along this line we must
get busy: the sooner. the better.
I'VE have cheap fuel in abundance
and conveniently located. In addition
we have already what may be said to
be q practically unlimited supply Of
power ready at hand, with more to
command II needed. Our railroad con
nections afford US outlets in every d.
rection and place US in touch with an
immense and q expanding market.
The time is ripe for a big and success
full movement, and we should avail.
ourselves Of the opportunity at hand.
How Anderson, Ind, Did.
There are different ways Of bring
ing about a movement that will result
in making Billings a manufacturing,
as well as agricultural center, but
about the best way is that adopted by
Anderson, a comparatively small city
in Indiana. A campaign started there
last fall has just ended and in conse-
quence nine factories are under con
tract to locate there, with an aggre-,
gate of no fewer than $500 employees.
It was brought about in this way:
Ratified the Lots.
"a man who was in touch with q
number Of manufacturers who were
DESTROYS Of securing new locations APP
preached the citizens with a PROPOSE
ton that they donate 1900 lots, to be
sold at no less than $500 each, the
money thus derived to be placed in.
what was called a factory fund.- A
meeting Of prominent men was held
and as a start 400 lots were donated
outright. The committee took options
and plated unplatted ground to make
up the balance. From all the lots
needed had been secured arrange
ments we're made for the sale. "a big
meeting was held at the opera house.
at which over 100 lots were sold. Sub
%sequently headquarters were opened,
for the sale Of lots. The sale went
along after a fashion, but interest be-
gan to lag, when a lot rally was
held. Business men closed their
stores, school children paraded the
streets and bands played. Fewer
than 200 lots had been sold up to this
time, buyers were found for 300 more
on rally day. Lot headquarters were
maintained and public meetings were
held at night.
Three Hundred Thousand Raised.
ION the day Of the first rally some
Of the options secured expired, but
the committee succeeded in having
them renewed for another 80 days. On
the last day q second lot rally was
held. Women and children took a
hand in selling lots. The school chill
dren paraded the streets, yelling for
a greater Anderson, and business men
marched, while the women rode in
automobiles. Every n talked lots
and added to the enthusiasm of the
men who had undertaken to give An
derson q big boost. At midnight there
still remained something like 112 lots
unsold. The committee stood nobly
to Its task and assumed the response
bility OF finding buyers for the unsold5
ground. The succeeding dawn wit
messed the birth Of a greater Ander-
son and the telegraph wires flashed
the news over the country that $780,
900 had been raised by the citizens for
a factory fund.
Adopted by Other Cities.
"Other cities have since then fol
lowed the Anderson plan. OF course
the Hoosier town is entitled to the
credit for originating the idea, but
this need not deter Billings from
copying. It's results that count. All
that the originator asked was a guar
antee Of $500 to pay his expenses in
case he failed to secure the factories.
This wat subscribed by so men. AS
he made good the money was not paid
Ito him. Before contracts were en-
tered into a committee investigated
the standing and desirability OF the
concerns asking a bonus. Out Of
about Is nine were selected as coming
up to requirements in every way.
Work is now in progress on the build
ings, and by the end Of the year sew
eral Of the factories will be in opera
ton.
1T Is true that Anderson is a larg-
Is.
E