Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1912-01-19
G.. 7. c. L0LL|CH
ELECTED PRESIDENT
fine MEETING OF COMMERCIAL
CLUB HELD MONDAY EVE.
MARK RICH ON ALFALFA
AFTER ELECTION OF OFFICERS, AL
FALFA men GIVE SHORT TALKS.
OTHER ADDRESSES GIVEN.

"Qneen Alfalfa" was the topic Of ab-
sorbing interest at the meeting of the
Commercial Club Monday evening.
The subject of how Mark Rich has
transformed this prolific forage plant
into products of nourishment and bene-
fit to man reads like tale from the
Arabian Nights, and proved an absorb
ing topic as presented by the officers
of the company organized to promote
the manufacture and use of these foods.
The announcement that this subject
would be presented, combined with the
announcement that lunch would be
served, attracted the biggest meeting
that the club has had for months.
The chief speaker on the alfalfa sub
jact was Mark Rich and to say he is
full of his subject is putting it mildly.
He is running over with it all the time.
Mr.. Rich opened his talk by showing
what a wide field he thinks alfalfa is
destined to eventually fill in the worlds
economy as human food. He believes
the time is approaching when the world
cannot be supplied by the grains which
have been mans chief reliance, and
that with soils becoming impoverished
on the one hand and with constantly
increasing population on the other,
that some other food stuff must be
found, just as electricity must some
day supplant the use of coal as fuel.
In the opinion of Mr.. Rich, who has
devoted much thought to the matter,
alfalfa was provided by the Creator to
fill this need. Mr.. Rich also explained
the processes and advantages of his
various products, samples Of which he
had on hand to be examined and tasted
by his audience.
G. A. Ross, of Des Moines, president
of the National Alfalfa Products Com.
pany. touched on the company's
financial policy and their plans for
taking up the manufacture of the goods.
He explained that with $4,000 raised
in this county by the sale of their pre-
ferred stock, the company would guar
antee not only a cutting mill in Hot
Springs but also q factory for the pro-
duction of the finished products. He
has since stated to the Star that the
encouragement they have received is
such that he feels no doubt of the sue
cess of Hot Springs securing this plant.
The trademark adopted by the com
pany is the designed word "Kota' in
side diamond design which also con-
tains alfalfa leaves. This they hope
will become familiar design in every
home in the nation.
Frank w. Bower, secretary of the
company, was also present and his re-
marks were along the line of sugges-
tions for the greatest co operation be-
tween local citizens and the company
! Members of the club made remarks
touching the great value of securing
such plant here and encouraging the
company, among these speakers being
DR.. F. E. Walker, 8. E. Wilson, B. j
Glattly, L. H. Hedrick, Gov. Mattison
and f. H. Perry. The latter also
touched on the gypsum company and
his statements showing the progress of
the Hot Springs Gypsum Products
Company to be we'll financed and max
ing rapid headway towards active pro
duction, we're received with enthusiasm.
While an attack was being made on
the lunch a committee, which was ap
pointed to draft resolutions on the
alfalfa project, framed resolution aud
at the close of the recess it was adopted
as follows:
Whereas, The National Alfalfa Pro-
ducts Company, through their Mr..
Rich, have presented to this CLUB the
various human food products made
from alfalfa under special processes
developed by MIR. Rich, and whereas,
it is the sense of this club that factories
to manufacture these products in Fall
River county would prove Of inestim-
able value, both to Hot Springs and the
land owners now rafsilfH alfalfa,
Therefore, be it resolved, that this
club use it's best endeavors to aid Mr..
Rich and his assistants in selling $4,000
of their six per cent preferred stock
at par for the purpose of securing such
factory for the citizens of this county;
land be it further resolved, that the