The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-02-04

sought must be defined, the best
method of obtaining those objects
must be we'll settled. and the whole
community must get behind the
movement.
Let us take, for instance, adver-
Using. Most of the community
advertising that has been done in
this country has been shameful
waste. 1t has been misdirected
or undirected. The modern
organization proceeds to advertise
as it undertakes everything else.
1t studies to determine what there
is to advertise and how it shall be
advertised. 1t shall not be vain
boosting" 1t shall not take the
form of highly autographed book
lets that give the home people
pride and don't mean anything to
outsiders. 1t shall be directed
toward some definite object, it
shall be addressed to some definite
class of people, it shall be based
upon conditions that make pos
sible the fulfllment of promises and
it shall be truthful. If the decl-
sion is to advertise for industries,
the supply of raw materials, the
prices of power or fuel, the trans
portation conditions, the available
sites, the labor supply. the living
conditions, the taxes compared
with other communities and every
thing that might have an effect on
industry are studied snd the adver
Using is directed toward the class
of industries that would have the
best chance of success under the
conditions existing. If the study
reveals the fact that the town is
deficient in some essential to indus
trial development, steps are first
taken to supply that deficiency.
Suppose that the decision is to
advertise for tourist trade. A
similar study is made. What at
traction have we for the tourist?
Are the transportation conditions
suitable? What Accommodations
have we and should more be sup
piled? From what part of the
country can we attract tourists and
what media should we use to reach
them? What expenditure will be
justified to obtain the number of
people we can accommodate?
These questions must be answered
before the advertising can begin.
And so it goes in every step that
is taken. There is always a study.
there is always a definite plan,
there is always a definite object,
there is efficiency and action.
Passing resolutions is all very we'll,
but in addition there must be action
on everything action that will
bring to bear the force of con-
centrated public opinion for the
achievement of the object sought.
The modern commercial organi-
cation is conservative and yet pro-
gressive. 1t does not endeavor to
revolutionize conditions at one
full swoop. 1t recognizes the
Limitations of cities also and over
looks no opportunity to advance
the city of which it is a part.
That is why 1 believe the modern
commercial organization is success
where its forerunner was usually a
failure. Modern thought does not
decree that the citizens of every
community shall strive to build a
metropolis whether there is mater
ial for metropolis or not. All
cities cannot be big, but all can be
good to live in. And in any town
the first aim of the good citizens
who organize to advance the COM
mon good should be to make their
city good place to live into so
adjust conditions that they and
their fellow men will have the very
best conditions that can be obtain
|
to achieve a measure of prosperity,
to maintain health and to live in
pleasant social intercourse. l
hold it to be just as commendable
for a city to be a good little city as
to be good big city, and far more
commendable for city to be a
good little city than a poor big
city.
Cities can make themselves what
thew will within their limitations.
There may be limitation on size,
but there is none except perfection
on the progress that may be made
in efficiency of government, in civic
Improvement, in community ideals.
A city may have an individuality,
force, a spirit, very soul to
stamp it in the eyes of men. There
must be an economic foundation
for any city. 1t may be mining;
it may be agriculture; it may be
shipping; it may be location; it
may be any one or all of these.
But the economic reason for the
city's existence is only the founda-
tions. The superstructure is made
by men. 1t may be beautiful or
ugly; inviting or repelling; sound
or shaky as those who build it
determine. In the last analysis
cities are built by men. Chicago
comparatively few years ago was
uaoino war with ST T,o11is for the