Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-10-15
GOV, EBE||RhAR1
ISSUES CALL
MInnesota's Representation At
Norway's Centennial.
TO DEVISE WAYS AND MEANS
Gov. Eberhart Offers Good OFFICES
In Movement to Interest Prominent
Men Of Norwegian Blood In Min
nesota to Prepare Fitting Mime
sofa Exhibit at Centennial Exposi-
ton at Christinania Next Year.

sofa Exhibit at Centennial Exposl-
ton at ChristinanIa Next Year.
The editor of the Willmar Tribune
received a personal invitation from
Gov. A. 0. Eberhart to be present at
his office at ten o'clock Friday morn
ing when the ways and means for
the proposed representation Of the
State of Minnesota at the Centennial
Celebration of Norway's independ-
ence will be discussed by prominent
people of Norwegian blood of the
State.
The following printed information
accompanied the invitation:
The Norwegian people living in the
state of Minnesota constitute more
than one-fourth Of the population OF
the state. They are largely in the
first and second generation, and the
bond between them and their mother
country is still exceedingly strong
They speak their mother tongue and
read Norwegian literature. On May
18th, 1914, Norway will celebrate its
Centennial as an independent king
dom. In view Of this fact number
of Norwegian people of the state OF
Minnesota have urged me during the
past year on behalf of the state &C
indicate in some manner to that ma
ton the participation which the PEG
pie of this state feel should be ex
tended.
At the recent session Of the legis
lature l recommended to that body
that it appropriate certain amount
of money and create a commission tc
represent the state for the purpose
OF participating in the Centennial ex
position to be held in Christiania
Norway, next year. The measure was
unanimously passed in the Senate
but failed by one vote in the House.
However, the Norwegian people Of
Minnesota, as citizens of the State
are no doubt DESTROYS that Minnesota
be represented in Norway next year
For this reason l have deemed it ad
visable, after having been urged by
number of prominent Norwegians
10 convoke meeting of all those
who may be interested in such a pro
Iaganda to meet in the executive OF
fee at the State Capitol at 10 O'Clock
a. M, October 18th. to discuss this
question and to devise ways and
means OF having the state properly
represented.
While the entire state of Mime
sofa, recognizing the sturdy citizen
ship that has come to this state from
Norway, would take a natural pride
In having the state represented, this
representation is one that more nat
urally and more closely concerns the
Norwegian Americans of our state.
am accordingly merely extending the
good Offices of my official position in
order that plan may be formulated
to be worked out by the Norwegian
organizations that may desire to have
this in charge. It is very natural
that where the regard for the home
country is as strong and tender as
that which is felt by the children OF
Norway for the mother country, they
would like to show their home PEG
pie what has been accomplished un
der the splendid opportunities offer
ed In America and especially in Min
nesota. desire to say that a mat
ar Of this character should be es
tally a Minnesota affair, the pur
being in some manner to recog
~ nat Norway has done for the
state of Minnesota, and that it must
in no way be taken as the intention
to interfere with the various organi
cations which are so valiantly endeav
oring to express their appreciation tc
the motherland for what it has done
for the Norweg1ans in America. The
states of North Dakota and Wiscon
sin are taking steps to be represent
ed at the exposition, and this state
should not be backward in this re
gard. l urgently request the coop
Grafton of the men and women OF
Norwegian birth or descent in this
movement and to meet at the time
and on the date designated.