The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-01-27
IS WORKING FOR
A GREATER IOWA
woodworth clum, Secretary Of the
Greater Iowa Association. Ex-
plains the Aims Of the
Organization.
TALKS TO BUSINESS MEN
representative keokuk Citizens Pres
ent at Dinner 1t Hotel
Iowa This
Noon.

nv the Greater Iowa association, at
dinner at the Hotel Iowa at noon to-
day, which was addressed by Wood.
worth Clum, secretary OF the organiza-
ton
Mr.. Clum is making a flying trip
through Iowa, and parts of Missouri
and stopped here to interest Keokuk
business men in the projects that
have been undertaken and will be
undertaken by the association. There
were about fifteen Keokuk men pres
ent this noon to hear Mr.. Clum's ad-
dress.
Mr.. Clum told how the Greater Iowa
association hoped to accomplish re-
suits. In 1912, he reminded his hear
ers, Iowa was the only state in the
union which lost In population, and
this fact helped to wake up some of
the people. The failure of the state
legislature to give an appropriation
for an Iowa building at the Panama
Pacific exposition in San Francisco,
was really good thing as it crystal
lied the sentiment for a greater Iowa
The amount necessary for building
was made up by subscriptions from
the citizens of different cities At the
fair, Iowa won eight grand prizes out
of possible ten.
Mr.. Clum stated that the twin pill
lars of prosperity were farm and fac
tory and that the industries of Iowa
should be parallel with its agricul-
ture. He spoke for organization and
cooperation by which the scheme of
human development Is carried for
ward. This year the Greater Iowa
association was devoting it's chief eff
fort to coordinate the good road en-
thusiasts and be a clearing house for
ideas on this subject. They want to
secure from the next legislature the
legal machinery to exercise local OPP
ton for good roads, the right of road
districts to issue bonds and exercise
local option in the matter of snrfacing
the roads. The expression market
our grain on four feet" means con
serve your soil by encouraging the
live stock industry in Iowa.
The Organization.
Mr.. Clum. in an interview granted
The Gate City, gave an account Of
what the association was really trying
to accomplish. He said that for many
years, Iowa had oeen trying to ac-
ccnplish certain things but that they
were never realized because there was
not that compelling force behind to
carry the ideas to successful conclu-
sion.
The progressive busi1ess men OF
the state finally got together and
formed the Greater Iowa association
to back all worthy objects that prom
ised to be beneficial to the state and
the people. One of the first things
the association did was to raise $780,
600 by popular subscription, to place
en- Iowa exhibit at the San Francisco
fair when the state turned down the
appropriation, with thel result that
Iowa goods were advertised to the
world and Iowa products carried off
eight grand prizes. For instance,
Iowa Percheron horses won out over
the French entries and Iowa Clydes-
dales over the English ones.
After looking over the ground for
some worthy project to pack in 1916.
the association nnally chose that Vt
good roads. But there were so many
different kinds Of road building advo-
Gated that the association knew it
could pick no special kind to appeal
to all, so the bill that is to be intro.
dilced in the legislature will call for
local option on the matter
To Choose Own Roads.
If this goes through, it will give
Lee county a chance to choose the
Kind of road 1t wants. whether 1t be
rock, gravel. cement or brick. Then at
a future time. should the county de-
eide to build or improve a certain
road, the Greater Iowa association
will send, at its own expense, an en-
sgineer win full specifications and
hold meetings throughout the county
TO acquaint the residents with road
building from all of its angles.
Mr.. Clum at the meeting today did
not ask for any help in putting the
Dill through. nor did he solicit men,
bership in the association. The meet
Ing was more for the purpose OF get
ting Keokuk people acquainted with
the work of the association so that
later they might extend help If they
lelt the cause was worthy one.
keokuk Not Represented.
The Greater Iowa association is
represented in every city and town
in Iowa of any Importance, with the
execution of Keokuk. The member
snip Is now 400 and the annual dues
are 500.
The association has a still greater
work ahead for 1917. This is the adj
verdsing of Iowa goods. An extensive
advertising campaign will be carried
on II there are funds enough. and
everything possible will be done to
call attention to the state and her
Products.
The association will also attempt
70 interest congress in the value of
davenport and Keokuk as centers for
government munitions factories and
arsenals.
Those who were present at the
meeting this noon were John Dunlap.
Edward K. tombstone, c. E. Warwick.
=, f. Skirvsn, A. E. Johnstcne, Wells
"a Irwin. c. F.. Mcfarland. H. Hol-