Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-05-06

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of the United States, covering a perio,
of twenty years. some most startlin,
revelations as to our growth wer,
made public, namely:
Our population has increased fift,
per cent.
Aggregate wealth more than doubled
Number of national banks nearl,
doubled.
Deposits in national banks tripled.
That the farmers of this country
have shared in this wonderful in,
crease of value is very evident The
report shows that the farms and farm
properties have increased from twelve
billions to twenty billion, five hundred
million dollars. That the yearly
products of farms have increased from
80. 2i2. 600, 900 to So. 764, 900. 600.
The number of manufacturing
establishments have doubled.
The production of coal nearly quad
rupled.
The production of steel multiplied
eight times.
The production of copper increased
ten fold
The miles of railroad more than
doubled.
The nuE. ber of postoffices nearly
doubled
Beet sugar 1896, AZ, 900 tons, to last
year 425.0 600.
The number of kilograms sent the
number of newspapers published; the
salaries paid in the public schools,
have all more than doubled.
Now my object in giving you these
statistics is that right here in the
geographical center of Michigan. is
our Alma. 1t is our Alma We own
it and are responsible for its successes
or its failures. and our Alma has con-
tributed. even though ii is small,
has part towards this wonderful
growth. l want TO impress upon each
person present, every man. woman or
child in Alma. that the United States
of America is growing. The state
of Michigan is growing: its towns
and cities are growing, and that Alma
has got to keen up with the procession.
No one can truthfully say that Alma
has ever taken the dust OF any city in
the state of equal population. We
never have had the reputation of fol-
lowing. but on the contrary. Of lead
ing. and by the efforts of this. our
Board of Trade. backed up by our
citizens, we shall continue to lead
/ wish TO take this opportunity to
hank the members of the Board of
Trade. and our citizens. for their
hearty support during the past year,
or the wonderful rally they made at
The time that we had the proposition
lnder consideration, of the stove
Whv the citizens re-
'ponded most enthusiastically. and
feel that any future proposition that
nav be brought to the consideration of
his board will meet with as hearty
support and response.
Immediately following the doctors's
the POSTMASTER notified his
hearers that after the next toast every
me should be prepared. He would
,all for imDromptu talks and could
lot tell where lightning might hit.
}. l.. johnson was the next sneaker T
ma responded to the toast. Retro
pect.
Mr.. Johnson's remarks covered a
history of the present organization,
inown as the Alma Board of Trade. |
nd were of especial interest to every
nember present. A coincidence |
discovered that afternoon was the fact
hat the Board was organized three
ears ago that evening and that while
ot previously intended thew were en-
Dying the first annual banquet on the
bird anniversary of the organization.
During the three wears since the
'oard of Trade was organized, b6
,eetings have been held. five of the
lirteen members of the board have