The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-02-23

+ We have heard much a.0ut the
I"Rack to the Land movement Of late
years, but why back to the land? y
that means that some OF sou staid
/ aid dignified "Shyiocks" who were
raised on farms, or who will have
lcwnership or interest in snna ara. 20.
ling back to farming, there's nothing
| in the slogan, for you w0nt 10 It
Ycn have ieen too long IN tho TARA.
sitical," non-producing class, accustom-
60 to having adding machines and
Interest tables do your tn ikiI4:s and
attorneys do your quarreli1g for you
| Il takes the courage of pioneer aaG
| he training of scientist 10 make
money on 5000 per acre soil The M
tural conservatism and 'i,3il hack
tendencies of the banker would. fear,
lG:sGualify him for the experiments
and tests of intensive agriculture.
| The land needs the vigo., strength
aid hope Of youth. the experience o.
1.-THE rugged, practical farmer whe has
| fought the battles of the soil and
reyer let go. nor ceased 70 think,
work and study.
/ prefer to call the movement.
Forward to the Soil.' for this is an
age of progress and in no occupation
is it so essential to hGmanaty--to
iposterity, as in that of agriculture.
To encourage the deveiopmes.. of that
greatest, oldest and most essential
vocation known to man, to bring 10 i.
the skill and science waieh triples
this wonderful age, is not retrogres-
sion, it is a forward movement TO a
better and happier state O. existsnes.
/ 1t is progress.
Bankers Duty to the Community.
1t is fitting that the bankers should
encourage this great woTk--tfle en-
couragement Of higher deyeloemens
of our agricultural resources, and by
broad discussion get out o. lie mar
row pathway of strict hank;n. and
financial discussion, out upon the
great highway of economic thought.
TIL. banker should be more to his
country and his community than a
loan agent and merchant Of exchange.
He should be of broader calibre, one
who has the interests of the people
direeil5- heart and love c. sonnsry
in his 5.cast The banking insritu-
ton is the heart of industry and to its
throbs responsive the energy Of man
is stimulated and the boundless re-
sources of our country made avail
able to humanity as. to that heart
with confidence and trust untrsmmel-
ed flow the capital and savings of a
community. to be, again projected
through the channels of industry to
build anew the tissues of commerce.
keokuk A synonym Of Progress.
Ii is fitting in this city to speak OF
progress. We can read its gospel in
the lives of Keokuk's. revered dead
and honored living. Its revelation will
be yours this afternoon when you
will see the fruition of their hopes in
a mighty monument worthy the spirit
of enterprise, loyalty and unwavering
faith which typifes this marvellous
community.
Keokuk. At the threshold of a
mighty Industrial development, which
above this fertile valley will raise the
oriflame of a new commercial en-
pire.-the gateway to this great com
monwealth of Iowa that CLEANS like
star of the first magnitude in the
bright constellation of the northwest,
is but emerging from an equally glor-
ious past i. wherein her sons AMI
daughters have carved high upon the
imperishable scroll of fame an I'M
! paralleled record of achievements in
art, literature, military prowess and
craftsmanship.
/ Business Conditions Today.
4 We are living in marvellous time
of business activity. The soil last
year yielded to this country over nine
billion dollars added wealth. Rail
road, manufacturing and mercantile
business all prospecting. Our hnan
cial system, while perhaps unscien
/ tiflc and lily adapted to the require
ments of trade and commerce when
under strained conditions, is yet upon
an absolutely sound and safe basis
We have recently come through !
great political change and upheavai
without any consequent disturbance to
business about the only echos OF tbs
storm are to be heard In the growl
ing of some crusty standpatter ieer
ing at an insurgent Bull Moose ovel
how it all happened. l have beer
reading closely the court journals O
Wall Street the past ninety days on
Of curiosity. | read there that while
there is some speculation over {
change in political administration
! there is little uncertainty The great
est questioning is as to the attitud,
of the new administration as to merg
ers and legislation affecting railroat
and industrial combinations. How
ever, such legislation as has been en-
3 forced against mcnopoly doaa mt ar