The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-01-21


| IL more attractive city and awaken
civic pride. because in doing such
things the Industrial Association
would not only become power to the
advantage OF the people already
mere, hut ii also would be adding to
its own resource of advertising ad-
lvantages.
Foundation Years.
In report which | made early in
the summer. it was pointed out that
The work of an industrial association,
as new organization In city, can
mot spring up in night, and that in
no other field is SO much steady, per
sistent effort required. The two
+ ears OF history in the growth of the
present keokuk association have been
much at the start. and the one com
plant. so far as my observation goes,
lis that there are too many hopes in
keokuk today, and too few factories.
System, as pointed out before, must
De at the bottom of industrial develop,
.ment that is consistent. and before
that system can be made to show re-
suits, the men at the wheel must be
sure OF their ground The location of
factories is not a matter of luck. as
many seem to believe vitality con-
nected with it are so many economic
laws that universities are announcing
courses to train men particularly for
commercial activity and direction
The economic laws governing factory
location vary with each particular
community. Each city has its own dis
tinct problems, and the points involv-
ed in those problems must be under
stood and mastered before any indus
trial association should be expected to
place attractive propositions before
manufacturers with any success in
the results attained
That study has been made by the
directors of the association, and today
they know their city and what they
may expect from it's citizens, as well
as the natural advantages that should
make it attractive as point OF To-
cation. This foundation work then
became ripe for a directing hand, and
20. B. Towne was brought to Keokuk
from Council Bluffs to take up the
active prosecution of Keokuk's indus
trial campaign What l wish to point
out now are the important points of
the situation as Mr. Towne found it,
Il. short the things that had been &C
complished during the initial years Of
the association, the real merits of the
foundation that had been laid uron
which he could build new industrial
center. Keokuk today is at the
threshold of industrial progress. and
the city would be discontinuance of
the greatest calamity that could befall
the work of the Industrial Association,
at point where it has been placed in
a position to secure its best results.
!!
keokuk Extensively Advertised
The first two years Of the associa-
ticn have been referred to as foun-
dalton years. And without any ques-
lion the most important factor in that
regard has been the problem CT call
ing the attention OF the entire world
To Keokuk Not a city CT the same
size in the world today has secured
such publicity from a manufacturing
standpoint as has Keokuk. And ! say
that because results prove 1t beyond
any doubt rather than because of the
fact that have been connected With
that particular line OF work. The
work OF the publicity department win
not be taken up here 1t will be left
for separate report, dealing with
that branch Of work alone. Passing
then 70 some Of the changes and in,-
proYements that have taken place in
Keokuk within the last two years, in
which the Industrial Association has
been actively interested.
The association has been interested
IN ever detail that would tend to bet
Ter Keokrk Good streets kept clean.
improved sanitary conditions among
ali classes Of people. better buildings
IN which to work and improved work.
Ing conditions In those buildings.
more attractive residence districts. a
system q Main street lighting that
today makes its own reputation. bet.
ter schools. more conventions, not to
mention The manifold advantages
that nave been gained for the mani
fold advantages that have been gained
for the manufacturer and shipper in
eyery department. Of civic life the In
dustrfal Association records show that
! il hag left its imprint for betterment
I'm some way.
/ Visitors who hare not been hers
/ Years are surprised and delighted at
f. ~ II