The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-04-28
COMMUNITY" IS
AREA SUPPORTING
CITY, WILS0NSAYS
AT Big MEETING
Commercial Club Should Represent
Town and Country; Not Job
of One But All.
RETURNS FOR TAXES SHOULD
ALSO BE LOOKED AFTER
University Extension Representative
Chock Full of Valuable Ideas
for Town Improvement.


thronged last evening when Judge |
Frank T. Wilson of the University !
extension system spoke on community |
building. Those who heard him were |
business men and others interested |
in the advancement of Bemidji and
they followed what Mr.. Wilson had
to say closely, his remarks being Of
much value as we'll as interesting.
In substance Mr.. Wilson said:
what is the community? All the
people who trade, market, work,
play, use the roads, support the
town, in short all who have an in
terest in making the town a better
place to live in. This is not the job
of one, but of all.
MAKE the community organiza-
tion represent the entire community,
town and country, merchants and
farmers, individuals and families,
firms and societies. Consider every
person and institution for ten miles
or more prospective member of
your community club.
Acquire members as you sell
goods. Make the club of service.
Make it worth while. Then let peo-
pie know: how good it is. Solicit
members systematically. Make list
of prospects. Write them. See them
personally.
Getting members is easy. It has
been said to be simply a matter of
solicitation and shoe leather. Seek
and ye shall find. Keeping members
is another matter And yet this is
simple, too. Do things for the town.
Play a good game. Members will
stick. Nothing like success to bring
mere success.
Il. Arouse Community Spirit and
Consciousness. Eliminate the indi-
vidlal. Do everything IN the name
of the Community club. Forget the
proooun "they." Use only "we,"
''ua," end "ours" Community de-
velopment is not MY or THEIR job,
but OUR job.
"2. Expand Home Trade. How?
Have heart to heart talks between
town and country. Find out why
people buy goods elsewhere. Help
your merchants to realize their short
eomings. Help them to a knowledge
of better merchandising methods.
Be just as anxious to have better
merchandising as better farming.
Help the merchant to know he must
have the good will of his silent part
ners, the public. Good will comes
from fair dealing, the practice of the
Golden Rule" in business Mail
order business succeeds because they
make their slogan, "A satisfied GUS
TONER" The country merchant
should do likewise
"3. A Better Market for Farm
Products. Why not? Just matter
of knowing how. Greater efficiency.
Less expensive methods. Find out
how others do it, then get busy.
Nothing like it to help home trade.
A good market is wonderful mag
net to draw farmers to town.
~. Factories, Labor Employment.
Pay Roll Of course, but go slow
be sure you are right before you go
ahead. Safety first. More money
is lost, greater paralysis comes to
communities from factory failures
than any other cause. Get managers
who know how to run the business.
Poor management kills more enter
prises than any other factor Know
local resources and possibilities. i
Build up what you have already.
Keep everlastingly boosting. Remem-
ber every farm is a factory. Help !
local creameries and mills.
"5. Good roads and streets. This !
is so obviously community work as !
to need no comment, except get busy. !
Town and country. all together.
"6 Efficiency in Town Affairs. |
What are you getting for taxes
spent? Town MANAGEMENT is bust !
ness. not politics. Every community |
club should have heart to heart con-
ferences with town officials as to
what they are doing. Good ones will
welcome such corporations: poor
ones will give themselves away by
resenting interference. The commu-
nifty will know what to do at the
next election. Visit schools. Learn
their needs. Investigation consoli
dation. affiliation. medical inspection,
agricultural and vocational training.
Do not forget the public library.
"7. Play for Boys and Girls.
Biggest thing in life. A need as
urgent as food or drink Makes life