The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1911, 1911-04-21
TO uPBu1LD THE STATE
Upbuilding North Dakota Through
Federation of Commercial Clubs
is Discussed by Pioneer Press.

Is A unique plan OF upbulldlny North
Dakota through federation Of all
commercial clubs Of the state, is out
lined as follows in the Sunday Pioneer
Press under Minot date line.
A federation of the Commercial clubs
of the cities and villages in North Da-
kota, several hundred in number, is
well under way and bids fair to be a
success The object of the federation
is to develope the resources Of tn
stem the tide of immigration to Canada
and in the Pacific Northwest, to place
an active, bona-fide farmer on every
quarter section Of land in North Da-
kota, to encourage factories to locate in
the state and to promote the indus
trial, commercial and agricultural well
fare of the state.
Federation Favored.
The plan, which was first proposed
by Secretary H. G. Ellis of the Minot
Commercial club, has been submitted
to practically eevry Commercial club
in the state, and favorable replies have
been received from nearly all. A meet
ing will soon be held at which the first
steps toward organization will be
taken.
1t is proposed to divide the state
into four districts about in the center,
east and west and north and south,
and to apporiton the work of the fed
Grafton among these four districts in
which Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck
and Minot would be the headquarters.
1t is suggested that each district have
a local organization and delegates from
each of these four organizations will
form board of governors which will
represent the state as whole.
The work of the board of governors
will be to conduct campaign for the
entire state and each district organiza-
ton will work, especially for the up
building of its particular district.
Funds will be raised through member
ship fee and monthly dues, payable
quarterly. These funds will be appor-
toned among the board of governors
and the four district associations, the
promoters of the plan believe that they
have hit upon system that will pro-
mote the interests Of the state as a.
whole and at the same time take care
of the local needs of the several dis
tricts, each Of which have peculiar
local problems to themselves.
Discussing the subject with the rep;
resentativcs Of the Dispatch, Secre.
tary Ellis of the Iinot Commercial
club said:
The Plan.
"North Dakota has lost much during
the last ten years through the failure
of the commercial clubs and civic or
CARNATIONS of the state to cooperate
along intelligent lines. Probably no
state in the Union has more active
commercial clubs than has North Dako-
TIA. These clubs are doing excellent
work locally, but through lack of or
ganization and cooperation they are
not doing what they should and what
they can for the state as whole
Every year thousands and thous-
ands of settlers pass through Minot
and other North Dakota cities on
their way to Canada. These settlers
are passing up the fertile lands OF
North Dakota with the excellent mar.
kets for this state, for lands in Can
ada, where the markets are not nearly
so plentiful. Why is this9 There is
only one answer, and that is because
the Canadian government and the Can,
adam railroads have a much better
system of colonization than we heve
in the United States. We nave as good
soil and better markets but Canada is
getting the business.
"Likewise thousands of settlers are
passing through North Dakota fol-
Oregon, Washington and other Pacific
coast states. Montana has state or
2anization which is doing excellent
work for the state. The Pacific coast
section is thoroughly organized Min
nesota has an admirable state organi
zation, which is doing great worl
for that state. The people Of Nortl
Dakota have no fault to find whateve
with the work accomplished by thes
other states, but we are beginning t.
realize that it is time for US to &c
busy and accomplish some of tn
things that other states in the North
west have proven to be practical.
"This can be done by a federatio
of the commercial clubs Of North Ds
kota. l have submitted this plan t
all the commercial clubs of North d.
kota and the favorable replies are con
ing in rapidly. 1t seems that the banl
ers, merchants, professional mon an
business men of the state general
recognize that much has been lost az
result Of the lack of cooperation an
tba+ +hnv ara WILLING tn mt their shou