Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-01-13
A COUNTY NEED.

There is merit in Captain Tooze's
argument in favor of the construction
of an armory for the use of Company
Fl, Fourth Oregon Infantry. Polk
County has but one company of state
militia, and the county and city
should show their appreciation of that
company by helping to provide a
building suitable to its needs The
State of oregon has sufficient pride in
its citizen soIdiery to furnish from it's
treasury one-half of the money needed
in the construction of suitable armor-
les, and it would i'll become the home
county and city of company of these
patriotic young Americans to refuse
like support.
Captain Tooze, under whose compe-
tent and enthusiastic direction Com
pany II is rapidly increasing in mem
bership and efficiency, has made a
careful study of the military situation
in this state and his opinions are
therefore worthy of careful and seri-
Gus consideration. While doing his
best with the limited armory facilities
County company will never be able
to reach high grade of efficiency
which means usefulness in real war
fare-untl building suitable for drill
purposes and other military uses is
provided. He also calls attention to
the fact that a comfortable and we'll
arranged armory would not only slim
uate pride among the present mem
bers of the company but would serve
as an attraction to draw other young
men of Polk County into the ranks. |
Company III already has many mem |
bers outside of Dallas, and for that
reason it can no longer be classed as
a local institution. The officers and |
men of the company are anxiously
looking forward to the day when ev-
cry precinct in Polk County will be
represented on the roster of member
ship.
Captain Tooze recently inspected
the new armory in Albany, and upon
his return home declared himself
more than ever in favor of modern
home for the Polk County company.
He found in Albany handsome brick
buiTding-large, comfortable, we'll
constructed--in every way creditable
monument to the enterprising spirit of
the people of Linn County This build
ing was erected at a cost of $2S,000,
Of which amount the state paid half
and Albany and Linn County the other
half The drill hall in this building
will seat 1000 people, and it will be .
used as a convention han or assembly
room by the people OF the county as
well as for an armory by the militia
men.
Albany is not the only live oregon
town that has secured an armory un- '
der the new state law. Salem has I
raised sufficient money to secure I
sac. 1000 building. and Woodburn will I
get a $4,000 structure-the state Civ /
ing half of the amount in each in a
stance and the city and county the l
other half. If Dallas would hope to i
secure an armory from the next state
II will have to take inn
action, for Eugene. Ashland.
Pendleton and other enterprising -
towns are already working lndustrl- y
Dusly for new buildings. .
The Observer believes the taxpayers !,
Of Dallas and Polk County will gladly
come to the support OF the plans OF
Company II, once the matter is
brought to their attention and is thor
lughly understood Polk County has v
lut one militia company. and It will
rot do TO say that the people of Polk 6,
rave less pride in their young men
han have those OF Linn, or Lane. or
iarion. one strong argument I'm fa- r
or OF the erection OF an armory is
hat Polk County has no suitable
in which to hold conventions
nd other public gatherings. An arm
ry would not be used for military
urposes alone. IL would afford
rec hall for farmers meetings. tele- ~ ~
hone conventions, political meetings
aachers' institutes. goat exhibitions
oultry shows. and for all OF the other L,
ambitions and public meetings that O.
ave given Polk County a reputation =,
8 one OF the live and progressive
ounties OF the state. y,
The cost Of an armory-built Jointly ~
y the state. county and city-would
squire an amount OF money so small
) TO be unworthy Of consideration by
ny taxpayer. taking into account the ~
any benefits the people would derive Cl
ON the use OF the building. Money
lent FOR such an improvement would NJ
; money well spent; IL would beneht n.
l. How. for example. could the peo- IA
e Of Portland. OF OF the State of Or
ION. for that matter. well get along o..
lthout the magnificent armory built I =