Charlevoix county herald., 1912-04-13


Western Michigan; orchards. alfalfa,
clover and timothy, potatoes. wheat.
rye. beans, beets. celery, seeds, dairy
ing the fine herds OF cattle, sheep, etc.
together with the facts, figures and
comments converted most OF the
doubling Thomases and when refer
ence was made 10 the heaithfulness Of
the climate. and pictures shown which
illustrated so sLrickinglY the many
forms OF recreation. and the splendid
social, religious, and educational ad-
vantages possessed by Western Mich
igan; and the actual conditions were
told about by the lecturer; keen in
terest was aroused and many unbe-
levers converted.
Many questions were asked about
our shipping facilities. markets aud
freight rates, which with the help OF
the slides we were able TO answer TO
the satisfaction OF almost everybody.
Good roads was another subject that
was on nearly every bOdy's tongue, es-
peciallv in Indiana where they have
almost 5000 miles Of improved roads.
The pictures we exhibited OF what has
been accomplished in building good
roads. in Western Michigan, together
with the explanation given Of our
state reward law, and the determina-
,.f n m
proving the highways, produced fav,
orable impression.
In Illinois, very few questions were
asked about roads, fol tine reason that
the roads there, especially during the
spring Of the year, are almost impas-
slbe.
The Lectures were given in church.
es, school houses, CITY halls, court
houses, opera houses, and theatres.
We were successful in securing the
meeting places someti mes for very
nominal sum aud in other cases free
of charge. The total cost OF the tour
was SSly54. This included transpor
tatlon, hotel, telebhone, telegraph,
postage, rents, printing, advertising,
lantern, salary or assistant, ETC., this
gives total average cost Of $34 Ii
for each one OF the twenty four meet-
lngs.
AT several places, we met with
competition from the Great Northern
Railroad Company, with its splendid,
ly equipped exhibit car, its moving
pictures, and ample supply OF funds
Tor advertising, hall rent, etc. If the
Bureau could have car OF this kind,
and lew moving picture fims, it
would add greatly To the effectiveness
of our work.
At the close OF each lecture. we
summarized the advantages possessed
by Western Michigan, emphasizing
the fact that our soils aud climate
are well adapted TO every purpose "f
the truit grower, and farmer, and Of
fer phenOlninal retuTns 10 the man
who will exercise dinary intelligence
aud who Is not afraid TO work; at the
same time pointing out that no exag-
geraLion was needed TO make this fer
tile and healthtul region attractive 10
the Home-Seeker.
The lectures seemed TO appeal es-
pecially to the renter. the man of
small! means, and the wage Garner, be-
cause they were convinced that nO-
where. else, 50 near home, could thev
get a start so easily and with a better
chance of succeeding.
The attendance at the LECTURES an
the interest shown, was much better
than we anticipated. Many remained
after the close ot each meeting TO ask
| questions.
We are convinced that this illustrat.
ed lecture tour was by far the most
valuable and effective outside adver-
tising ever attempted by the bureau
and there is no question but that this
foreign missionary effort will beaI
much fruit.
The pity OF it Is that Michigan with
her wonderful possibilities has been
asleep SO long. Even yet, after three
years of hard work, with yerv crafty.
ing results, on the part Of the w est
ern Michigan Development Bureau
the bulk of our citizens do not realize
as our friends in the West and Canada
do. the valGe Of education along agri.
cultural and horticultural lines, and
the great benefits that will come u
Western Michigan by means OF per.
sistent intelligenLly conducted pub.
licity,
We have in our files detailed daily
reports OF all the lectures, c1pies OF
which we will be glad To furnish on
! application.