The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-12-14
North Dakota Farmers Guests
Of International Harvester Co.

Chicago, Dec. 9.-Running on spe-
cial schedule, whisked along by spe-
cial engine, the North Dakota special
train bore down upon Chicagos great
farm machine factories yesterday.
The train was filled with representa-
tive citizens of North Dakota, headed
by Governor-Elect Lynn B. Frazier.
nt-Governor-Elect A. T. Kra-
BILE, E. F. Ladd, president of the North
Dakota Agricultural college, and many
other eminent people.
When the North Dakota special was
switched from the union yards, where
it has been standing for the stock
show, to the plants of the lnternation-
al Harvester Company, cross lines be-
longing to a dozen railroads were
thrown open for it. Chicago is being
good to North Dakota. That, as some
one said yesterday, is because Chicago
likes North Dakota. 1t is breezy
state-a state which goes out and
does things.
More than 500 North Dakotans pour
ed out of the special and made fly
ing trip through Mccormick works,
the largest farm machine factory in
the world, where two completely man.
ufactured and tested machines are pro-
duced every minute, and through the
MOgul Tractor works, where farm
tractors are manufactured at the rate
|of one every II minutes. The long line
|Of visitors wound also through the Nc
Cormick Irvine mill, Irvine maker for
the world.
After the dash at sightseeing, the
North Dakotans pitched camp in the
Mccormick club house for a chicken
dinner, music, speeches and good
cheer. Cyrus H. Mccormick himself
come, and in spirit of humor told the
North Dakotans why they had come.
you are not willing to take our
salesmen's and our agents word for
it," he said, that |. Fl. G.. machines
are all right, but you have to come
down here to see for yourselves.
That's just like North Dakota
Governor-Elect Frazier responded
amid cheers to Mr.. McCormick's well
come. He said the North Dakota spe.
| cial, being IS per cent farmers, was
| typical of his state He let it be
known that he himself had never got
out Of touch with the farm. He de-
! clared that he had begun using McCor
mick binders early in life and that
he had driven one through every har-
vest since. N
j. D. Bacon, proprietor of the Grand
Forks Herald, was called to his feet by
stormy demands for Jerry" Large
corporations are an untold benefit to
the country. We should watch them,
but they are great benefit This
was the gist Of Mr.. Bacon's speech.
A man in the audience rose and
called for John G. Haney, whereupon
a great storm of applause broke loose.
Honest John Haney," as they called
him, is in charge of the l. H. C. demon
stration farm at Grand Forks. I'VE
know he is farmer because he looks
like one,' said Professor F. R. Crane,
the man who managed the special.
John Haney told the audience that all
he had to say to them was what he
had often said to them before on the
subject of corn, alfalfa and live stock.
| Professor P. G. Holden, the famous
farm expert, head of all agricultural
extension work for the Harvester Com
pany, paid tribute to North Dakota
! for the progress she has made in farm
Ing. Professor Holden recalled the
time when North Dakota was one of
the backward agricultural states. He
has watched her come out of that class
and take her place among the most
progressive states in the union. This
great special train was visible proof
of the spirit Of North Dakota, for what
other state could undertake and sue
coed In such project?
| North Dakota farmers enjoyed see
ing how their tractors and binders and
Irvine are made. They were surprised
to see how vast and how efficient a
modern farm machine factory is. If
Cyrus Hall Mccormick, the Elder,
himself, could come back today" said
one of the farmers, "he would be as
surprised as We are"
Professor F. R. Crane was the toast
master, and a good one.
| The Harvester Company was de-
lighted to have the North Dakotans as
it's guests. The highest executive Of
ffcers in the International organization
were present to give welcome to the
! visitors from the north.