The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-07-14
0trmont MMthman.
THE DIES MONIES SPIRIT.

suit of a vigorous advertising cam
paign About three years ago some
of the younger business men of Des
Moines, realized that the city was
not making the progress that 1t
should. Through their endeavors a
committee of fifteen on advertising
and promotion was appointed, and
this developed into a Greater Des
Moines Committee, with member
ship of thirty. A capital of $4,000
was subscribed, each taking a share
at 500.
These men proceeded to hustle for
their city and last fall had an annual
sustaining fund of $4,000 on hand.
A few months ago an advertising
campaign was begun. They realized
that as the capital of the State a
great convention hall was needed.
Starting with plans for a coliseum
to cost $4,000 the idea grew until
$3.50 600 was invested and a spacious
and beautiful convention hall had
been completed. A monthly maya
zine called Wealth has been estab-
lished designed to appeal to business
men.
The committee set aside 100000
for a three-yea IS adv4,;FDg cam
paign, and since the campaign was
opened several months ago, the sum
of $1,000 has been expended.
Magazines like the Saturday Eve
ming Post and the Worlds Work have
been used. The seal of the organi
zation is an ear of corn, surrounded
by the words, "Des Moines Does
Things Following is sample of
the citys Advertising:
This is aimed at the man who
wants a certainty. There are OPP
portunities all over the world, but
in Des Moines, Iowa, the man of Gin
ger, Grit and Gray Matter finds the
Certainty
"Des Moines is the distributing
center of the largest body of fertile
land under one government in the
world. The State of Iowa has de-
veloped more agriculturally than any
other State in the Union.
1.-TWO thousand million dollars of
taxable wealth has grown right out
of the soil of Iowa in the last fifty
years. The per capita wealth of the
United States is $1,91S; that of Iowa
is $1,S26
There are 2,250,060 people in
Iowa The agricultural prosperity OF
the State demands that Des Moines
meet its needs. Nowhere else in
America for the business man is
there such a City of Certainties
Here is the point; Des Moines today
is the agricultural capital of the
United States. 1t is in the heart OF
the most prosperous territory in the
country-a territory which can and
will support twice as many indus
tries as there are today in Des
Moines.
There is nothing that can be
worn, nothing for the house or farm
nothing that can be put on the table
or used for ornament, that the people
of Iowa do not buy. Des Moines to.
day is not supplying on third Of til,
things demanded in It's trade terri
tory
"Iowa's agricultural products last
year were worth 1921 900, 000-ex,
ceeding the crops of many groups Of
States-more by 1921 100000 thar
was dug from all the gold mines il
the world
''rhe people Of Iowa have an aver.
age of 5000 in the savings banks
Intensive cultivation would increase
the crop of Iowa by $4,000, 600
there is no limit 10 the productive
ness of the soil. The Iowa hen witt
her eggs can buy all the nuts, grain
vegetables and fruits Except oran
ges) Of Southern California-ant
have $4,000 left every year.
"The Greater Des Moines Com
mittee is an association of bushes!
men. 1t is not booming Des Moines
but is directing its growth. 1t is thu
crystalization of what is called al
over the country The Des Moinel
Splrit-the spirit of people who be
heve in themselves and in their city
1t invites merchants and manufac
turers to learn why they and theil
enterprises should become a part O
Des Moines.
The manufacturing concerns O
Des Noines last year showed a prof
OF 20 per cent plus. Prosperity is
habit here We are not selling tow
lots, promoting irrigation schemes
disposing of vacant orchard lands
nor are we selling factory sites O
business locations. We are teIlin,
without eXaggeration the Certaintie,
of Des Moines.'
This information is printed merel,
to show what wide awake cities ar,
doing elsewhere. Montpelier is no
as largo Dac NIoipo. ,,os+Ie.