Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-22
IOW N BOOM AGENTS.
Every Citizen May Become a Local
Publicity Bureau 1

TupitCity DuTSdu
The city publicity bureau is becom
ing fixed institution in this country
Many cities, particularly in the north.
west, maintain regular bureaus for the
propagation of publicity concerning
their attractions and advantages
Even Boston, the hub of the UNI.
verse" fifth in population in the Unit
ed States. Is engaged in such cam
paign for city booming.
1t Is perhaps unreasonable to expect
n small town to maintain paid pub
licity agent. yet there are some of the
smaller cities which seem TO find it
profitable. The average town must be
doomed by volunteers. Every citizen
may constitute himself publicity
agent and proceed TO make his town
better known to outsiders.
The big city bureaus take up such
matters as factory sites and opportuni-
ties. local trade advantages and the
like. The small town resident can do
likewise with Il reasonable promise OF
accomplishing something for the good
of his community. In these days OF
overcrowding in large cities. with
high cost of living high rents for floor
space and other unfavorable conditions
many manufacturers are on the look
out for available country towns in
which to locate their plants or to es-
tablish branch plants.
The advantages of location in Il
smaller town are obvious. In nearly
every town of II few thousand people
there are many young persons unem-
ploycd who would welcome heartily y
chance to get job with some manu-
featuring concern Both boys and girls.
young men and young women, are
available in the average town for fac
tory work. In the absence Of such OPP
portunities they are inclined to leave
home and seek work in the cities.
where at best the chances for success
and happiness are but meager.
With many parents in the smaller
towns thefe IS constantly present the
pathetic dread of parting from their
children. because the latter approach
ing maturity. are ambitious TO get into
the big world outside and earn more
than they can earn at home. With a
manufacturing concern located in your
town You can keep your children ii
home. where the conditions of living
are vastly superior to the city cOndi-
tionS.
The town merchant is particularly
concerned in this matter A branch
shoe factory. for instance, not only
will give employment to the urem
poyed at home. enabling them 10 earn
money for spending at home stores
hut 1t will bring new families to town
A monthly payroll of several thou
sand dollars means Just that much
more money in local circulation. The
merchant gets the benefit of the in
creased demand for all the necessarieS
of life and for some of the Injuries.
Almost any town possesses a suita
Bile site for some sort of manufactur
ing establishment. In good agricul
tural communities Il canning factor!
works in every direction to benefit thu
people. 1t supplies Il home market fo
the farmers and gardeners produce
1t gives employment to home people
lation.
If there is no fund in sight for tn
employment of an agent to pusl
things in this line, the local bushes
people might get together and do mucl
toward making the advantages of tn
town known to manufacturers il
search of locations outside the bi
cities One excellent plan suggeste
by an expert in these matters is t
have Il tasty booklet or circular print
cd ut the local printery, setting fort
The merits of the town and surround
ing country, giving population figures
transportation advantages, prices o
available factory sites and such othe
information as the occasion may ind
cafe This booklet, should be kept O