Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-21

organized charity, etc, are included in
way to be accomplished. The report
The work of the Commercial associa.
ton during the year Just closed has
been one OF activity. It's work through
the standing and special committees
has covered wide scope which can
not be covered in detail in this report
however an effort has been made to
touch upon the more important activ'
tiles of the association during the
year.
The election of M. B. Hutchinson to
the position of class "B" director, dis
trict No. 7, Federal Reserve bank
which was initiated by one of the di
rectors of the commercial board and
carried to a successful conclusion by
the united cooperation of the business
men, gave OttumWa wide and valuable
publicity. secured for one of Ottumwa S
most loyal citizens this enviable posi-
ton. which was contested for by men
of high financial standing. 1t is an
apt illustration of what can be accom-
plished by united cooperation OF the
munity.
Auditorium Year.
Conventions are such valuable
source of publicity and profit to a COM
munity and we are often asked why
Ottumwa does not get more Of them.
1t is not because they are not 20 be
had. but because we have not the funds
to go after them. Many of our people
are Of the opoinion that conventions
come to us without effort or induce
ment. This is not So Every live city
in Iowa realizing the benefits to be de-
rived through conventions is actively
in the field to secure them. and If we
expect conventions to come to us, we
must have the funds to care for them
in proner manner Those that have
come to us during the year have been
cared for as far as the funds would
allow, and in proportion to the number
of people attending We have secured
number of conventions for the COM
Ing year, and will get more if the peo-
pie of Ottumwa will subscribe to the
convention fund in proportion to the
benefits derived. The committee will
be around to see you in the near future.
We have often told each other of the
necessity for an auditorium in which
to hold conventions and public gather
ings, and that is as far as we have gone
thus far. Let us make 1915 audi
forum Year" in Ottumwa.
The public spirited and generous pro-
position Of A. G. Leighton offering to
donate ffty-five acres of land for park
purposes, one-half mile west of the
city limits and ajoining Wildwood, con-
tanning a provision that street car eX-
tension be made to the proposed park,
was taken up with the Ottumwa Rail-
way & Light Co., officials and they
were urged to make the extension.
This matter is now being considered
by the street car people. 1t is
hoped that they will view it in a fav-
orable light, and give us the desired
extension, thereby giving our people,
free of cost, one of the most beautiful
natural parks in the state.
Display Home Products.
Home Products Week in Ottumwa
during the week of October to 10,
was new venture for the association
and proved to be a success for beyond
the expectations of the promoters.
Sixty-five live wire manufacturers
made exhibits of their lighter products
in the show windows, which space
was donated by the live wire retail
merchants and the heavier products
were displayed in the open on Market
street.
Home Products Week was advertis-
ed in the papers in all the surrounding
counties and proved an attraction
!, which received favorable mention by
numerous editors within a radius Of
seventy-five miles, 1t gave the peo-
pie who were attracted here during
the week as well as our own citizens
who viewed the exhibits in large num-
Ders wider and more comprehensive
view Of the many useful articles man
ufactured in Ottumwa and an object
lesson of the value OF patronizing
home merchants and purchasing home
made products whenever possible. We
should always bear in mind that when
we buy an article produced in Ottum-
wa, we are giving employment to OF
tumwa labor.
Organized Charities.
The failure in 1913 to organize an
Associated Charities did not dampen
the ardor Of those who felt that sucn
an organization is a real necessity to
a community. Through the request
of united ministry, regardless OF
religious belief, and charitable organ.
izations, committee was appointed to
Investigate the workings Of similar
organizations in other cities. This in
yestigation disclosed the fact that such
an organization could be conducted
along business lines and eliminate the
duplication found SO common where
several organizations are working in
dependently. At an open meeting OF
those interested in this work the com
mittee was instructed to secure com
petent person to make a social survey
of this city After further correspond
ence Miss Bessie McClennehan was
secured to do this work. During the
month Of July, with the assistance OIL
social workers and charitable institu
lions, Miss McClennehan made care
full survey of the social conditions eX
listing here and later in September she
spent another week in the city gather