Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-10
ALMA TO Be $4,000
IN TEN YEARS
Allen D. Albert, City 'Ex-
pert, Says Conditions
Indicate Increase.
PURE WATER SYSTEM NEEDED
Business Men Should Advertise
MOre-LOcal Trade Terri
tory Too Small

The citizens of Alma saw them
selves as others see them last Thurs
day evening when Allen ID. Albert
president of the Rotary Clubs OF
America and a city expert, discussed
the personality of Alma. Mr.. Albert
did not mince matters, but gave 9
straight from the shoulder talk on the
conditions of the city. During his ad
dress he touched practically every
phase of the city's development
Praise was given for some things, but
on the other hand Mr.. Albert found
many things that should be changed
Mr.. Albert arrived in the city early
Thursday morning and during the day
complete survey of the city's life
The statistics that were gathered
during the day gave Mr.. Albert his
material for his lecture in the eve
ping.
Mr.. Albert said in part: zone of
the first things that impressed me in
going about the city was the lack of
cooperation among the business
men. At present there are two busi-
ness mems organizations in the city.
The Board Of Trade is the oldest and
the most logical one for the support
of every citizen. There can be no
great increase i'm business or in the
field from which this city draws its
country trade as long as there is the
lightest lack of cooperation in the
business section. The Board of
Trade should raise its dues to $500
a year because no organization of
this nature can accomplish much on
as low an annual payment as the
local board has. AS long as the bus
mess men fail to cooperate they can
not hope to compete with the sur
rounding cities.
"The business men in Alma evil
IDENTIFY do not see the advantage of
systematic advertising. This is
shown by the fact that the city draws
its patronage from so small a radius.
This radius has got to be widened
and the only methods that can bring
this around are found in advertising.
Alma is too much interested locally
and she is forgetting TO take care of
the territory around her. You have
made wonderful strides in the past
few years, but don't let yourself be-
come too selfsatisfed.
"The statistics that / found regard
ing the school system in the city indi-
cate that you have an educational
system of which you should be proud.
There are some things that should be
altered and altered Immediately, how
ever. The high school building is a
fine structure and is modern in every
way The other two buildings are in
a condition that demands immediate
attention. There are worse fire
traps, perhaps, but | haven't found
them yet on my summer trip. The
only merit the buildings have is that
they keep out the cold and the rain
The salaries of the teachers in your
city are too low. The average wage
should be increased so these teachers
could consider themselves ont Of the
philanthropic class"
Mr.. Albert took occasion to compli-
ment the city on the Civic League
and the work il has done during the
few years it has been organized 81
have been in no city this summer
where | have found league that has
done as much for any city as the
Alma league. When | stepped off the
train | noticed the beautiful bower at
the station and knew Immediately
there was a league in the city. and
! kept my eyes open for results. If
you don't know what the league has
done it is time you should observe.
"The lack of facilities for play is
noticeable. You have two parks, but
outside of that nothing has been done
along recreation lines. Both parks
are in terrible condition and
thought when / first viewed Wright
Park that ! was looking at a well
kept wood lot. An adequate amount
Of money should be expended on the
parks in the city to put them in the
proper condition to be called parks
and in additional to that play grounds
should be established where the child
rem can play and be safe.
alma should prepare for a popu-
lation of 10000 in less than ten years
In order to take care of this increase
there has got to be expended on inn
in the city considerable !
money. Your sewerage system has I
got to be increased; you should have
a pure water system installed; the
city has got to expend money on parks
and recreation; public library should
be built by the city and Alma should I
commence Immediately a campaign
against disease by cleaning up every
section of the citv -