The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-22
GREATER IOWA ASSOCIATION
URGES IOWA FIRST PLAN.

nstIVU ~ uu
production would bring US $3.50. 000,-
600 year instead OF 100000, 900;
II we only increased It to S,000-the
average production IN Holland-it
would mean $200,0O0,000 per annum.
II we could increase our egg produc-
ton to 100 it would mean $4,000, 900
a year instead of $22,O0O,0O0.
"And remember this-the more
there is produced the more there is
to be divided.
"And another thing; we must pro.
vide common ground in Iowa upon
which our urban and rural population
may fraternize and work to their
mutual advantage. There has been
too much prejudice in the country
against the cities and towns. Think
what could be done in Iowa If through
the creation of confidence on the
part Of ouNrural population we could
make available for Industrial and
commercial expansion most of that
tremendous wealth which originates
on the farms of Iowa We must
have more confidence IN business,
and we in Iowa, particularly, must
evidence more sincere interest III
Industrial development Our manu-
facturies produce 100000, 900 year
in Iowa, and yet, every now and then
we, through vicious legislation, make
their business more hazardous. We
must be fair toward all honest bust
ness, whether it be the production of
hogs. or shoes. or railroads.
Twenty years or SO ago the rail
roads of America abused their priv
nff hi
aroused. Then came reaction Now
we find the citizenship unfair IN
many instances to the railroads. The
gross business of the railroads IN
Iowa amounts to $100,000,000 a year,
or one-fourth that of all Of our manu-
facturies. The railroads Of Iowa pay
to their employees in Iowa $45,00O.O0O
year. Railroad property in Iowa
is worth $3.50, 100000. Verify, thisSis
one of Iowa's great industries and we
should be fair in our dealings with
them"
Broad Minded Organization.
Woodwork Clum, secretary of the
association "the only man in the as
ISOLATION who is getting paid for ms
work and earning the money, as
Colonel French said In introducing
Mr.. Clum, told the what and why OF
the organization. He Hkened 1t to
the commercial organization OF the
towns. and said that the Greater Iowa
association was to Iowa what the
Keokuk Industrial association was TO
Keokuk at is necessary to the
welfare OF the state" he said, TO
have an organization OF broad mind
ed. courageous men,. .--s---
Mr.. Clun spoke OF the opportunity
to increase our dairy and poultry
products, and the fact that the asso-
citation should have the influence TO
pass laws friendly to honest business.
He urged that the association be
big enough and to have enough non
political members who woulo think
for Iowa and act for Iowa and who
could make its influence felt Tor
everything that would help Iowa. 1t
was up to the men of Iowa to make
Iowa a great state, he said in closing.
Iowa too Contented-
Ralph Bolton, secretary OF the
Greater Des Moines committee. said
that he thought the greatest danger
In Iowa today was the danger OF be-
ing too contented He said the state
believed 1t had no competition, and
that unless Iowa went ahead in these
things In which she considered her
self a leader, she would lag way be-
hind. Iowa can't stand still. he told
the crowd. She must look for her
weaknessnes. She has lost hair
million people and half billion OF
dollars. The Pacific coast has taken
40 600 of these people.
He spoke Of the fact that few
years ago Iowa considered hdrsef
the leading dairy state. but that Wis
cousin had surpassed the Hawkeye
state in this. The New England
states were besting Iowa in the corn
production, and the productions OF
potatoes for instance was falling OIL.
"The time may come, If this keeps
M" warned Mr.. Bolton, when we
shall be shipping food products into
the state. When this happens, the
small town is doomed and the cities
cannot stand the pressure. He
urged cooperation and spoke OF what
teamwork and cooperation had done
for Keokuk in getting big industries
here. The same work done IN the
city could be done In the state, ana
It would be easier for the state 10
raise herself through an organization
sucb ne the Greater Iowa association
Plan to Know Iowa.
George NJ. Bechtel Of Davenport.
showed that he was capable of doing
something more than selling bonds
or managing big bank. He proved
ono of the most entertaining speak.
ers Of the evening, and his plea for
Iowa was stirring one. He said he
wanted to make 1t a greater and bet
for Iowa. in which to live and die.