Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-09-08
fine ADDRESS At
COMMERCIAL CLUB
Edward Trefz Declares City
Will. Have $4,000 Inhabi-
tants Ere Long.
TO
HELP NORTHWEST
Present Situation Shows the
Need for Merchant Marine
Says Business Expert.

Predicting that Grand Forks VIII
benefit by the unprecedented migra-
ton to the United States which is
bound to follow the European strug-
gle. Edward +. Trefz( fieid secretary
for the United States Chamber OF
Commerce, this noon told local bust
ness men that it was up to them to
say what should be done with their
opportunities. Mr.. Trefz spoke at a
noon dinner at the Commercial club.
Mr.. Trefz also predicted that in the
life time of a number of the men
present Grand Forks will becom a
city of 5 $4,000 in habitants.
You can make your city what you
want it." he said. eff there are two
conflicting ideas, get together and
make q. third out of them. When
you believe in your city. when you
realize the benefits Of cooperation
and when you work together IN O
spirit of sacrifice. a spirit of civic
pride, you can offer these immigrants
the best opportunities in North Da-
kota."
As a. result of the conflict that now
ngage practically all Of Europe,
America. is on the eve OF an unpre-
cedented era of prosperity. MI. Trefz
declared. He spoke of the great for
eign steamships h a are tied up In
the eastern harbors. one Of which
the Vaterland-is losing 100000 a
day.
America could have purchased this
ship very cheaply. he said. but Eng
land objected. on the round tha
The money would be going to Germany
and would be used for war purposes.
If the United States spent 100000 0
for these ships. it would last Ger
many just nine hours. he declared.
The United States has IN
dertaken a merchant marine, Mr..
Trefz said, for the simple reason that
she never has had to think of 1t. The
country is face to face with a grave
its solution will come great COM
mercial advancement.
When this struggle is over. mill
lions are going to come to this U
try the speaker continued. within
five years after the close Of the war
there will come to the United States
an average of 100000 a year.
I'm the life time of some Of you
men present, laws will be passed linn
tting the acreage of land owned by
each man. In the next twenty years
the population will increase more than
during the last 100 years.
"These people will have to 60 to
the sections where they a breath
and live comfortably and humanely.
The fellow who Is gorEed with extra
land will have to cut up, the same
as they did in California.
Your problem is to 30 build your
city and so capitalize YOUR energy and
opportunities as to offer to these peo-
pie the very best possible, for they
are coming out to this great north
west where there are large farms and
where opportunity awaits them.
The industrial concerns are going
to split up and disintegrate. We will
always have the great trusts. for the
United States Is doing a. monumental
business. Instead of one great man.
the industry will be spread over the
country. PittsburR will not be the
great steel center; they are now look
Ing to Duluth. Gary and other places
The shoe manufacturing industry is
going to disintegrate, and so Is the
cotton industry.
The great manufacturers are 60
ing to locate where their men a live
humanely, n the people are COINS
TO the community that can offer the
best advantages.
Grand Forks can get thousands Of
them, for Grand Forks is ADVANTAGE
ously located. You now have a cit,
of $4,000 or $4,000. but I believe tina
In the life time Of many Of you it will
be a. city Of $4,000.
AS I came across your prairies
saw stack after stack Of burnin,
straw. In Niagara and other place
they are paying hundreds Of dollar
for this. You people have wastet
much; you have lived riotuously i,
this country, but if you are going t
benefit by the changing conditions
you must likewise change.
You nave a beautiful city. VIVA
are you going to do with it? VIVA
are you doing toward planning TO
Its development? You have fin,
parks; you've got a river that can b
capitalized, and you will get NOR