Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1913-01-23
Land MEN Do HONOR TO
LEADER JOHN A. kRUSE

leans land men had seats at a
dinner at the Montelone last
night that honored and surprised
John A. Kruse, noted reclama-
ton engineer and the leading ex-
ponent of Louisiana's new found
resources. A silver tea service
was presented to Mr.. Kruse at
the close Of the affair. K. O..
Wild major domO of the occas-
ion, made the presentation
speech. 1t was very brief
Mr.. Kruse arrived a few days
ago from Chicago. Last night
he knew nothing of the affair un-
til he was invited to take part in
a little dinner" The plans
had been carefully concealed
from him. He knew that he was
the honoree only after he had
taken his seat at the table and
read the menu card. 1t read.
"Complime n tary dinner to
John A. Kruse by his New Or.
leans friends" A big badge was
pinned on him. All other guests
wore smaller badges that read:
I'm one of the guys that put
use in Kruse."
Eleven speakers were introduced
by o. w. Crawford, the toast.
master. They lauded the bril-
land work of Mr.. Kruse in the
interest of Louisiana, and spoke
on land problems in general. Mr.
Crawford spoke of Mr.. kruse as
the friend of Louisiana, the un-
selfish worker for Louisiana s
interests.
The "I'm the guy" spirit pre-
dominated. G. H. Willard read
a poem that was dedicated to
Mr.. Kruse. In this poem Mr.
Kruse was named as the guy"
who brough the noise" from
Illinois, who put the ears" on
engineers, who took the lose"
from Louisiana and who killed
the glooms and brought the joys.
The name of Kruse was lauded
and applauded. Speakers said
he had done more for Louisiana
than any other man.
Five of the speakers, as Toast
master Crawford said, were
Louisianans by birth, while six
of them we're LOuisianans by
choice.
Justin f. Denechaud, secreta-
ry of the State Department of
Immigration, opened the talks.
He told of the interest displayed
in Louisiana at the late Chicago
land show. Il am of the opin-
ion," he said, that the money
spent on the land show by LOui-
siana will be returned hundred
fold. Our booth was attended by
800, 900 people, ard we had the
most comprehensive display at
the show. We did not have the
3OO-pound pumpkin nor the hot
house corn, but we had the real
products of Louisiana on display
Four years ago this was an I'M
known land. 1t is well known
now. People from everywhere
know of Louisiana's resources.
They do not ask whether or not
it is place of mosquitoes, alliga-
tors and swamps. They know
better. They know that we have
the richest soil to be found"
| r. f. Milling voiced the sen
timents of the land men when he
said the New Orleans business
men have failed to display the
proper interest in the land re-
clamation work. He deplored
the fact that Louisiana has to
depend upon Northern capital
for the prompt sale of her drain
age bonds. They are gilt-edged
bonds, he said, and there
is not possibility for the invest
or to lose money on them, yet
| Northern capital supplies most
of the money for drainage. liz
accused New Orleans people oil
being nearly ignorant OF the pos
sibilities of the great area of lanC
around the city He advocated
government control of levee
systems and more state atten
ton TO drainage.
Among the other speakers
, were r. O. Wild, a. r. Dusenbu
: ny, II. L. Favrot, a. l.. Arpin, Il
: Seton Schneideau and others
An the speakers spoke of tn,
lack OF interest by New Orlean:
business men in the develop
ment of the swamp lands.
There were near seventy
guests AZ the banquet.
The above was handed the
Jimp. and was taken from a lat.
New Orleans paper The iteu
speaks Of work done by John \
Kruse. who will be- rendered a
being the promoter and builder
OF the Jefferson Iron Furnace
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