Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-22
URGE BIG MEETING
AT FARMING7ON
SECRETARY W. r. ARCHER SENDS
LETTERS TO THE PROMINENT
BOOSTERS or NAVIGATION TO
BE AT SESSION MARCH 29.

teen men at the mouth of the river
near Keokuk this morning, the ulti-
matesnavigation of the Des Moines riv-
der is practically assured. The work
of the engineering department will be
prosecuted with vigor until accom-
plished and the Des Moines River I'M
Eprovement association to keep up the
enthusiasm already enkindled. is
working hard and faithfully to assist
the work of the engineering body and
to further the object Of the improve.
ments. Secretary w. T. Archer is
keeping the mails busy with matter
pertaining to the navigation OF the
stream and everyone who has thus far
evinced any interest in the proposition
Of improvement, has, or soon will be,
deluged with boost and enthusiasm lit
erature to keep the good work going.
The spirit Of push and boost that was
evidenced by the large meeting held in
the Commercial associations rooms
February rs, has been added to and
replenished by the work OF the Off
GERS who have mapped out a campaign
for the furtherance of the river i'm
provement. In line with the move
ment given impetus here February 25,
large booster river meeting Is call
ed for March 20 at Pennington, to
which all who are interested or who
can be persuaded to lend aid to the
cause are invited. Secretary Archer
has drafted letter to the various
vice presidents of the Des Moines
River Improvement association, call
ing attention to the Pennington meet
ing and urging that they get their
Commercial associations, mayor and
city councils busy on the project.
Archer Sends Out Letter.
The letter to the vice-presidents fol
Dear Sirs:-
"This letter is intended to convey
to you the glad tidings that on Mon
day, March 81, 1910, Assistant U. S.
Engineer Major Rowse and corps of
engineers will commence the survey at
Keokuk on our good old Des Moines
river. Do you realize the possibility
and extent Of this work? l urge you
to extend the "glad hand" to this hon
orable body Of men, render every as
sistance in your power, and show
them by word and deed that you are
interested in this work.
"Call a meeting Of your Commercial
association, have your mayor and city
council get busy and interest your en-
tire population in this important move
ment.
"Do not forget the big meeting at
Pennington, Iowa, March 29, 1910, and
remember we must contribute fnan-
cially to carry on the work.
"I will respectfully ask you to mail
draft at your earliest convenience for
the proportionate share of funds due
from your Commercial association,
which is $500 for each 100 members
or fraction thereof, as provided by Ar
ticle 3 in our constitution. Also sec
tion 2 of article 8, provides for the
payment of annual dues Of S1.00 from
each individual member. Will you at
tend to this important matter at once?
Remember, no great undertaking
was ever accomplished without inces-
SAINT toll Pessimism is abroad in the
Des Moines valley. A multitude Of
people will slur our work, but things
CudL uldy dppSdi caS oDSldCiCS WI
only prove as friendly stepping stones
to success.
''We are in this fight to win. Like
the good soldier, if we prove true,
victory is assured
yours for success,
Secretary"
Call to individuals.
h.
To aid the various local officers Of
the Des Moines River Improvement
association scattered along the stream
and to assist them in reaching the per-
sons in their various communities
who are interested in seeing the river
made navigable, letters to individuals
are also being sent out by Secretary
Archer. All of those who attended
the big booster meeting held in Ottun-
wa February %. will be reached by
the letter of the secretary and urged
to attend the Pennington meeting and