Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-11-30
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
Regular Monthly Meeting is Well
Attended and Interesting.
SOME FACTORY PROPOSITIONS.
Several Factory Proposals Presented,
but it Was Decided First to In
crease Stock and Capacity of
SWenSOn Valve Co.

That interest is not waning In the
Decorah Commercial Club was evil
denced by the large attendance at
the regular meeting on Friday night
at the city hall, and the new men,
bers which are being added. The
business men of the city appreciate
the fact that much good can be done
for the city at large and for them
selves as individuals by joining to-
gether the men who are interested
in the future of Decorah in a united
movement for the promotion of the
city's interests.
E. j. Curtin opened the program
with an interesting talk upon EN-
dustries That Might be Fostered in
Decorah," suggesting the advisable
ity of making use of the natural adj
vantages and opportunities that we
have here, in the way of a rock
crushing plant for concrete work,
ETC., shipping the crushed rock to
also the bottling of our pure spring
water for sale in places where all
water has 10 be purchased; and in
addition thereto to take advantage
of our unexcelled natural scenery
and ideal summer climate for sum-
mer resort purposes.
w. F. Baker followed with a dis
cussion of What the City Can do
for Such Enterprises explaining
that the city itself could do but lit
tie, that assistance to factories, etc.,
was usually provided by private citi-
zens and credit given to the city. In
the way of regulating taxes, water
rates, etc., the city could be of as
sistance.
After few remarks by n. l.. Bal
ley along the line of local factories,
!. w. Brunt presented the matter of
the need of additional capital stock
by the Swenson Valve Company,
answering various questions that
had come up at the previous meet
ing, reporting upon the investigation
made by the committee, and recora-
mended the raising of the additional
stock and the increase in the factory
force, it being shown that orders are
coming in far in excess of the ca
pacity of the factory to produce the
goods.
III. A. Warner supplemented these
remarks by explaining the working
force of the factory, the men now
employed and additions needed to
the force, etc.
Mayor Daubney was then called
upon and spoke briefly upon the
things that the city could do to help
factories, explaining how city funds
are raised and expended, and con-
cessiOns that might under certain
conditions be granted by the city.
The secretary then presented vari-
Gus propositions for the construction
of factories in Decorah, which had
come to him since the last meeting,
which included the establishment of
wire fence factory, and the re-
moval from other cities of factories
now running, one manufacturing
electrical building equipment, an
other dish washing machines, wash
ing machines. ironing boards, etc.,
another farm carts, horse stalls,
lifts, etc.
w. c. Adams spoke upon the ex-
perience of factories in neighboring
cities, how they had been started
and developed to their present sta
tus, and what local support had done
for them.
On motion a committee was ap-
pointed TO take up the matter OF
raising the additional stock required
for the Swenson Valve Company.
The committee consists of I. w.
Brunt, II. A. Warner, N. l.. Bailey,
Otto Dahljelm. H. j. Green, w. F.,
Baker, DR.. II. Stabo. t
Fl. A. Warner then reported upon
the matter of the sand road near
Freepont, stating that the committee
had decided to take up the matter
with the board of supervisors and
city council during the winter and
prepare for work in the spring.
The meeting then adjourned.