Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-20
IEREST HIGH
OVER CAMP AIeN
Of AuGUSTANA
BY. L. Z. JONES.

AuguStana'G friends In the tfi-
cittes are enthusiastic over the cam
paign for the gymnasium fund
which begins next Thursday. With
Tie appointment OF J. l.. Vernon as
campaign organizer In Rock Island.
md r. 8. Hosford in the same capa-
city IN Moline, the successful is
gue OF the campaign was assured.
Previous campaigns for endowment
funds have been begun outside Of
the city and conducted by alumni
and teachers OF the institution.
Many thousands Lave been brought
70 Augustana college in this way
and the resulting benefit to the
cities in this immediate vicinity Is
now q recognized fact. This drive
beginning next week is entirely Of
and by the cities here and as the
hnsiness men Of the cities are the
sponsors OF the campaign the
friends of the institution In all the
- states and many Of the provinces
n Canada will have definite proof
that the importance OF Augustana
is now recognized and that the sue
cess OF Augustana means the sue
cess of this community as we'll.
To Pay for Gymnasium.
The interest of the friends Of
Adgnstana hero is based upon the
fact that the campaign is under
taken to pay for the gymnasium.
This building was designed by local
architects, built by local contrac-
tors, and erected with the specific
point in view of not only meeting
the growing needs of an energetic
and thrifty college. but more than
that of meeting the vital needs OF
an auditorium for the community
Not only has this auditorium
gymnasium met the needs of cen
trail meeting place for public as
sembles but it has gone STEP
further and furnished the oppor-
tunity for local individuals and or
ganizations to bring the best talent
that America has and offer it to the
admiring public.
Many believe that should Angus
tana have asked the community for
the funds to begin the erection oil
the building, the local community
would have hesitated to contribute
the amount. However, now since
the building has justified its cree
ton, and has proven itself to be in
the best sense community asset
II seems assured that the friends
here will guarantee the cost Of
erection, especially since it was
built at an opportune time and at q
cost approximately half of what il
would cost at this time. The deb
on the building is the cost Of its
erection. $4,000, and this is the
amount that the campaign work
ers have set as a goal.
Rivalry In Twin Cities.
1t is a question in the minds o
many Of the workers interested il
this campaign as to where the mos
Of the friends OF the college live
Moline or Rock Island. Surely thu
campaign will reveal the facts. Mr.
! Hosford and his co-laborers believ,
y that Moline will be the first ovel
the top and the enthusiasm among
the Rock Island men runs higher
perhaps. The issLe of the cam
paign will be watched with grow
ing interest by the friends of tn,
vicinity.
A union meeting will be held il
Che gymnasium next Wednesda,
evening and at this dinner the or
sanizers and %heir majors and cap
tains will give out their final word
of direction. On Thursday morning
the campaign will begin and it will
be a matter of a few days onl,
when the final count will reveal tn
interest of the local people in al
institution that has come to pla,
SO important part in the life 0
the community.