The Marshall republican. [volume] (Marshall, Saline County, Mo.) 1899-1914, 1913-07-25
BOOST COUNTRY
TOWNS
Indoor Game Association Says VIZ
lages Must Patronize Themselves
In Business and Pleasure
or Vanish.

Mr.. Merchant: In my first letter
some weeks ago told you the coun-
try newspapers, properly used, we're
the best selling agents in America.
Have you used them? IL not. why
not? also sent out a sample form
OF advertising, taken from one Of the
Chicago dailies, showing how the big
stores in the city get orders from the
country trade. Perhaps you didn't
see 1t. Perhaps your local editor
was too modest to publish II lest Il
seem a mere bid for advertising. or
possibly. you may have been sensitive
about receiving advice from a stran-
ger.
But, gentlemen. these are all false
fears. One thing is certain: either
the country town must patronize IT,
self-or vanish. and see no way for
you to meet city competition. except
by the city mans methods. What do
care. do wou ask9 Just this: the
Indoor Game association has no pecu-
MARY interest In the matter. Il is
true. But we are interested In hum
anlty, and the passing OF the country
town would be calamity to ciyiliza.
tom
For years we have watched with
growing concern the tide OF country
youth migrating to the city. We
have seen the rural communities
standing stationary and in many
coses going back. Our efforts In the
city to weed out gambling and to
secure better supervision for dance
halls. billiard rooms. moving picture
theatres. ETC.. for the young people.
reveals the fact that the worst dan
ger arises from the "uninitiated'
country boys and girls. Three-four-
this OF the "sad cases" coming under
our observation are OF this class.
How TO keep country boys and girls
at home during Impressionable years.
therefore. has become n vital issue
In the work OF our association. This
means boost the country town. and
to this end the rural community must
be induced TO patronize itself In the
two great spheres OF human interest
business and Pleasure. First, 70
secure the former, merchants must
display their wares attractlvely In
their windows and fill the space OF
their local papers with catchy sug-
gestions. The very things that are
now drawing country trade TO the
city. Nothing gives a town a more
thriving appearance than attractive
windows OF business display. II you
haven't a good window, tear our the
end OF your store and put In one. II
will pay you big In interest.
Second. provide the young people
with wholesome amusements. Pro-
mote clean. legitimate recreations
OF every kind. Remember there are
children's games, young ladies' games
young mems games and old peoples
games. (Alas. for the person who
has grown too old to play) DO not
try to make an old lady. however,
out OF young man. That only dis
gusts him and drives him to the city. |
Young couples want some place to
go in the evening. II you have no
theatre, why not build one? Al
least, you could maintain a moving |
picture show. Young men love to
play billiards. See that they have a |
good clean room for that purpose.
Open up a large. well ventilated hall.
See that Il is properly supervised.
Do not become hostile and prohibit
tive. But. appoint a sane censor
to inspect all public places
of recreation, something like the re-
Gently established commission in De-
tro!t, Michigan.
These two things. gentlemen adver-
tise your business and entertain your
people! Therein lies the hope OF the
country town.
+. ]. MILNES.
Pres. Natl. Indoor Game Assn.
Evanston, Ill.