The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-07-30
Promotion Of Fellowship Spirit Be-
tween Keokuk and Her Netghbors
is Being Considered by
League Officers.
MAKE JAUNTs IN AUTOS
Boosters viii Attend Fairs and
Celebrations and VIII Enter
into Spirit Of Towns
Visited.

Trade excursions are being planned
from Keokuk into the surrounding ter
ritorfes. The excursions will be taken
by automobile, and the object is to
bring Keokuk and her nelghbors in
Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, more into
the fellowship spirit. The plan as
proposed has been discussed by Presi-
dent NJ. E. Justice Of the Retail
League and O. B. Towne Of the In
dustrial association, and will be put
| up to the league for ratification In the
near future.
The idea Of these trips is to recog-
nize the affairs Of the people in the
surrounding territory, to visit them
and take part in their festivities, keep
| in touch with them, and show them
that Keokuk and Keokuk merchants
are appreciative Of their spirit which
they have always shown to the local
business houses. An effort will be
maze in these trips to remove any
idea that Keokuk Is wholly selfish or
wrapped up exclusively in her own
affairs.
Endeavor will be made to show that
this city Is really interested in her
neighbours doings, and her pleasures.
The county fairs, the town celebra-
lions. chautauquas and the like will
be visited by the local boosters II the
proposition pans out" as proposed.
The trips will be made by automo-
bile. 1t Is expected that upwards OF
twenty five or thirty machines will be
enlisted for such trips. The autos
will be decorated with banners, and
taken along. The plan Is to get out
and have a good time with the neigh.
bors and to enjoy their good times.
There will be no mention Of poll.
tics or churches and even Congress-
man Rainey will be forgotten on such
trips. The local merchants will just
be going out to be- sociable with their
neighbors.
A schedule of events In the neer by
places in southeastern Iowa, and the
Illinois and Missouri towns contigu-
GUS to Keokuk Is being prepared, and
the plans will be presented to the Re
tail League in the near future.
Manager Towne, President Justice
and Secretary Fulton OF the league
are all favorable to the plan. and de-
clare that 1t is something that mer-
chants should have been doing long
ago.
| Value In Advertising.
| There are an endless number OF
things that could be done on such
trip with four or five hundred people
in the automobiles, it is pointed out.
Many things that would prove OF big
advertising value could be worked
up, both advertising for individual
stores and for the city as whole.
Some entertainers, speakers, or q
band would probably help out the trip
If taken along.
The idea of Mr.. Justice is that the
cars should make the trip In body,
arriving together in the city where
the fair was being held, stay In the
town for while and then go to the
fair grounds, arriving there, also In
body. There is no question but
that such a number would be given a
hearty welcome and 1t is very likely
that there would be a temporary
cessation of activities when the par
ty arrived.
A spirit Of friendliness between the
people OF this city and their neigh
bors would no doubt be generated by
the trip and the liveliness of Keokuk
merchants would be forced upon the
attention Of everyone at the Fat.
The Right Time Of the Year.
| Because OF this time of the year
business conditions are a little slack
| 1t would be easily possible for every
business house in Keokuk, both re-
| tail and wholesale, to have one or
more representatives make the trip.
It is believed there are enough auto
mobiles in the city to get at least
one hundred on the excursion These
should carry about five hundred peo-
pie.
About the first fair that might be
visited Is the one to be held at Don
nelson, August IL to IA. Others
will be held at various times follow
Ing this one. The Kahoka fair will
be held in the early part Of Septem-
Der. There is just about enough |
time left to arrange for the trip If
merchants here take favorably u
the suggestion and believe it to be
a good one. 1t is believed the whole !
sale houses will be as much interest |
ed as retailers, and the more that |
can be interested and can be induced |
to take the trip, the more successful |