The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-01-23
| Fargo Builders Had
Deli ,tful Evening
Annual Banquet d Bidders 'srs Exchange Last Eve
ming Proved to Be Pleasing Profitable Event
Number Of Excefent ADDRESSES

One hundred members and guests
OF the Fargo Builders and Traders
exchange sat down to a, pleasant din-
ner at the Pirie hall last evening and
to a menu that was one of the best the
Pirie co. has prepared. It was the
annual banquet of the exchange and
there were guests present from half q
dozen cities, including the twin cities,
st. Paul, Crookston and elsewhere
and everybody was happy. because the
ARRANGEMENTS which were made by y.
L. 70. Goodwin, Harry Nolin, III. q.
Alsop. r. r.. Sykes and e. Anderson
were perfect and well carried out. All
of the speakers were present and
President Goodwin, of the organiza-
ton acted as toastmaster.
Mayor Sweet was the first speaker
of the evening and he bade all well
come and admitted that the contrac-
tors of today were not so proficient
as those Of the days Of the building
of the pyramids, and that he didn't
believe that anything was built In
Fargo in these latter days would stand
so long as those ancient monuments.
Then he talked Of the Appian way
which was a road that made ancient
Rome famous. lie was quite humorous
as he talked about the builders being
the oldest industry and that it came
after man had ceased to hunt and be-
gan to till the soil. He complimented
the contractors and gave all hearty
welcome.
Sam r. crahbe Retorts.
Sam f. Crabbe was the next speak
er, and he began stating that he didn't
think the mayor was competent TO
Judge as to the contractors of the
pyramids and those of today, unless
per chance MIR. Sweet had lived in
those days and was q case of reincar-
nation, and regarding the Appian way
he remarked that Mr.. Sweet If he
lived 5000 years would see the streets
of Fargo in much the same shape they
are in today. He then took up his
subject, and gave an interesting talk
on architeetGss, showing the different
styles. He remarked that he would
like to see the time come when Fargois
buildings would show some charac-
teristics and not just be erected for
just what they are to be used for
without any idea as to beauty. He
said that fitness and stability should
enter into all building. He said that
houses are designed and get their
forms from the uses to which they
will be put, and he likened most of
the buildings in Fargo to boxes,
The Legal Aspect.
John S. Frame was the next speaker
and he had for his subject Legislation,
and he opened UP by jibfng at Mayor
Sweet and his pyramids and remarked
that as an attorney he would say that
the mayors testimony in those mat
ters could not be taken, ais he was
neither an eye witness nor an ex-
pert. Mr. Frame then took up the
different laws in which the contractors
as whole are interested and dwelt at
great length on the employers
liability laws, those In force and those
pending and explained them all. He
said the mechanics lien law helps you
to get the money after you have earn
ed it and the employers liability laws
helps you to keep 1t after you have
received it. He said that it was in
cumbent on the employer to show his
employee all about his work and the
risk if any he was taking, so that he
would know and accept that risk
Then there was the fellow servant
rule, or the rule that man might be
injured through the negligence Of his
fellow workman, and last there was
the rule OF contributory negligence, by
which a man by his own careless
might be hurt. He went on to show
that in from 40 to 80 per cent of the
cases Of accidents the employe has to
bear the consequences. He told OF the
committee that had been appointed
by Governor Burke for looking up
laws on this matter and quoted from
the report that was made and advis-
ed all of the contractors to secure the
report. He thought there should pe
some change in the law, one that
would benefit both the employer and
the employee.
From Twin Cities.
Eugene Young, secretary Of the
builders exchange of the twin cities
was next introduced and his subject
was the Benefits Of an Exchange. He
not stop at the building business
alone, but they took part in every