Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-20

plans being made for the Freeport
home coming this fall, in connection
with the celebration of the 50th ami
versary of the second Lincoln-Doug-
lass debate. IF the people of Rock
Island would more firmly establish
the home feeling of the men and
women who once have lived here, they
could not do better than to have a
home coming celebration he said
The speaker devoted some little time
TO an explanation of the rating book
and collection department of the as
sociation, and explained the methods
used in Freeport.
Mayer Levi Talks.
Secretary Mayer Levi of the Indus
trial commission, an organization in
which the Business Mems association
has representation. was present, and
was called on to tell of the work OF
that organization, and of the results
so far of the efforts for Greater
Rock Island. Mr.. Levi recalled briefly
the situation which brought about the
of the Industrial commits
sion. and spoke with pride of the re-
Spouse of the people of the city when
S140.000 was contributed for industrial
promotion purposes when the imme,
date request was for $4,000.
Speaking of the achievements of the
commission, Mr.. Levi referred to the
Willetts Manufacturing company
brought here as result of the com
missions efforts; the Rock Island
Tool company, organized as direct
result of the existence of the commits
sion; the National Neck Yoke DOM
pany, which the organization has
placed in a position TO expand by Civ
ern Type foundry, which has estab-
lished its jobbing house here, though
Davenport was direct competitor of
Rock Island for the industry; the
American Fire Insurance company, or
saniZed by Rock Island men; IN,
First Savings Bank Life Insurance
company, organized through efforts of
members of the commission and of
the Booster club; and the Roval
Neighbors. the head office Of which
has just been secured for Rock Island.
Concluding Mr.. Levi spoke of the
work of the Booster club, and said
1.-THE business men of Rock Island
are just learning to cooperate, and
they are still in the primary grade.
The Booster club has taken the in
itiative in this work. but it needs the
help of all. 1t is almost automatic to
say that a community united can do
almost anything it undertakes. but il
divided no enterprise is too small tc
end in failure We are all agreed
that selfishness adds charge on our
prosperity, and retards every effort
toward growth and development that
is advanced"
]. NJ. Colligan responded to the
toast. Hot Air and while he claim
ed to resent the subject assigned by
the toastmaster, he did not go beyond
the boundary of his topic.
"Buiiding "a City"
The principal address of the even
ing was that of F. E. Bonney of Pax
ton, H., who spoke ON the subject
THE Building of a City Mr.. Bon
ney gave a very entertaining talk
outlining the possibilities of urban
activity, and sketching the natura
steps in the development of a CON
munity. He declared that in the
work of building city, three classe.
must have hand-leaders,. support
ers and patriots. He classed as lead
ers the men who are naturally capa
Bile Of taking the initiative. and max
| ing plans for a campaign. He char
acterized these men as optimists ant
altruists. The supporters he classi
| fed as the men who are willing ant
ready to follow the leaders. and exc
cute the plans which are formulated
He deemed this class to be the rea
force in the movement. The pa,rio IS
under this classification, compose tn
great body of the population, and, in
spired by the ideal of a greater an
more prosperous city, uphold the Ell
forts OF the leaders and supporters
and lend their encouragement and as
sistance where possible.
In the course of his remarks MI