The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1921-01-20

she snail continue 10 i've anu W lunc-
ton for the everlasting benefit OF MI
not and Northwestern North Dakota,
was evidenced by the enthusiasm
shown by the $50 business and pro-
fessiona men who attended the first
of a series of monthly open meetings
at the Association rooms Tuesday ev-
ening. The Episcopal ladies made
the usual hit with the men folks by
serving an appetizing banquet. Henry
M. Wilson, president Of the Associa-
ton, presided at the banquet, handling
the situation in tactful manner.
John E. Howard of the city schools
music department, rendered several
snappy violin numbers which were
. heartily applauded ,,,.,
In his opening remarks, Pres. Will
son stated that our Association of
Commerce represents Minot and
Northwestern North Dakota and our
Association reflects the city. Mr..
Wilson said he had heard considerable
criticism of the Association and he
had thot of starting suit for SANDER
in the name of the organization, but
on second thot, he felt that he ought
to call meeting and give everyone
chance to express himself. Answer
ing the question as to what the AS
ISOLATION has done, Mr.. Wilson stated
that during the past year it had sent
33 kilograms and landed II conven
tions for the city which will bring in
thousands of visitors. 1t has written
33,345 letters, sent out 10000 pack
ages, answered 47,0OO telephone calls,
entertained SCI visitors from out of
town who called at the rooms. The
secretary has attended 167 meetings
outside the city and 229 in the city;
has written 266 newspaper articles
and has assisted the high school in
SO ticket sales. 1t has taken charge
of the Community Chest.
NJ. r. Porter, former president of
the Association, stated that he had
heard some businessmen ask just
what good the Association was doing
for Minot. They We're paying in
from six to eight thousand dollars an
nually to keep the association run
ming. Some thot it had mixed too
actively in politics. Some thot too
much time had been consumed in sell
ing tickets for the high school enter
tainments and acting as booking
organization for attractions. Some
thot the Town Criers club, a very &C
tive and worthy organization, had not
contributed it's share towards the sup
port Of the organization. Mr.. Porter
realized that this was the turning of
the road and asked what was going
to be done about it.
V. E. Stenersen, speaking in behalf
Of the Town Criers, presented very
able brief for that organization. He
said that while the Rotary looked
after the social welfare of Minot, the
Town Criers club had charge of the
publiciay departments for the city. 1t
does not infringe on the rights of the
Association. No one should be so
narrow as to think the Town Criers
get too much glory. The members are
not trying to benefit themselves indi-
vidually, but work for the best inter-
ests of the city as a whole. They
carry out the work assigned them by
the Association. The Town Criers
have put hundred men to work who
are not connected with the Associa-
ton of Commerce directly. This is a
point worth considering. The Town
Criers furnish entertainment for the
various conventions, have been in
charge of the publicity for the various
war drives, Liberty loans, etc. The,
Town Criers have done much to make
Minot city filled with enthusiasm,
despite adverse conditions. Just as
Mr.. Stenersen got to going about
right. his five minutes were up and
John Mcclure rang the cow bell.
f. A. Shirley made big hit with
his address on the relation of the city
to the farmer. Mr.. Shirley in his
business deals with thousands Of farm
ers annually and knows what he is
talking about. He asked all the farm
ers present to stand up. There was
only one in the hall. He stated that
the businessmen should invite the
farmers in more freely to attend the
banquets and entertainments, and in
that way they would all become better
acquainted. We must cut out chasing
rainbows and building air castles, he
said. Our city will never be. one Of
great sky scrapers and big factories,
he said. We will grow, but only as our
rural community grows and develops.
The aims of our association should be
different from that Of Chicago. We
know our farmer friends in a BUSH
ness way only. Instead Of just in
viting ourselves to these banquets
lets get the farmers in and show them
+. a good time. Those who have had ex-
>perience in farming, know that the
farmers are having lot Of grief. We
have been busy soliciting the almighty
dollar. Now tets show them we are
unselfish. The present condition in
North Dakota is largelyour own fault.
The farmer is sensitive and apprecia-
tive. He said that when the price of
wheat went down, the Minot Associa-
-tion Of Commerce was the first to
take the matter up with Congress ia
try to get some relief for the farmer
During the war our men went out into
the fields and helped them harvest
the crops. Let's do more to create
the spirit Of friendship and good fel.
lowship. This spirit will be reflected
:. on other Associations in the state.
P. j. Jeardeau, of McClusky, {
guest Of DR.. Clarke, stated that h
had operated a farm in Sheridan coun
lty during the four lean years, ant
with his cows and sheep had shown {
profit. He managed to do this by dis
,,pensing with high priced help. HI
said that you will find many educate'