The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1921-03-25

Mems Club Discusses Civic Problems.
The Mems club had lively and in
teresting session last Friday evening at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. E.. Mel
son. Mr.. John Pearson, who, by the
way, makes an ideal chairman, called
on number of men to talk on civic
problems confronting Edgerton today.
Over fifty men were present, and it
was in some ways representative
meeting. The speakers went at the
problems which each one had been des-
ignated to discuss, with bare hands.
and words were not minced.
DR.. Morrison was the first speaker.
He discussed the question of health
conditions in the city.
Mr.. P. M. Ellingson as a retail mer-
chant deplored the condition of the
roads leading into the city, and held
that on this account trade was being
diverted to other towns not properly
within the trading radius of these peo-
pie. The only good road Edgerton has
connecting the outside is one 'sleading
out of town. The Importance to the
retail merchants of Edgerton in having
these roads taken care of was in his
opinion paramount.
Mr.. Gardiner, farmer living in the
town of Porter, was called on for the
opinion of Edgerton among the rural
population. He gave very good talk
in which he told straight from the
shoulder what people outside of Edger-
ton think of our city. Some cleaning
up, not only of the roads leading to the
city, but also of the morals, would
please the neighborhood of Edgerton.
DR.. Meyers spoke vigorously on the
topic of eliminating the dangers to the
young folks lurking in the pool. halls,
uncontrolled public dances, and late
hours on the street, by the adoption of
curfew ordinance that would make
the young man and young woman of
high school age keep close to the home
evenings.
Mr.. Norman spoke from the view
point of the manufacturer. He empha-
sized the Importance of the Trailer and
Axle plants, but did not think the city
officials had come half way in furnish
ing fire protection and street improve
ments essential to the safety and well
fare of the plants.
Mr.. L. G. Whittet gave an interest
ing talk on the problem of taxation.
He voiced his love for Edgerton, and
said that in spite of what he had heard
here this evening, to him Edgerton was
the biggest little town he knew of.
Prof. Holt spoke of the Importance of
civic support of the schools where the
problems of citizenship must first be
tackled. The funds spent for an effic-
lent school system is capital Invested
promising the greatest returns.
Geo. Blanchard was the next speak.
err. He gave clear and illuminating
account of the efforts made by the city
council to take care of the civic i'm
provements as far as the money voted
for that purpose would permit. He
showed how the council had taken steps
and spent its money to lay water mains
and sewers to meet the needs of the
Trailer and Axle company, and that
the only reason the street and other
surface Improvements had not been
made was that sewer and water hads to
go in first, and that when this was done
there were no more funds available in
the treasury. He called attention to
the problem of the cost of taking care
of the streets leading to the city limits
in the different directions, the cost to
the city and the cost to the outlying
owners along these streets.
He said it would be up to the citizens
at the next election whether another
issue of bonds should be authorized to
take care of the improvements of the
streets now included in the paving
plan. He also pointed out how large a
share of the taxes raised in the city is
carried by the tobacco industry in the
city, and how important a part it holds
in the economic welfare of Edgerton.
Mr.. Nelson closed by neat talk
about all these problems in general.
The problem of the morals of the young
folks he thought was above all home
problem, and that the home needed the
support to do its part WELL
The usual refreshments were served
and the meeting closed about II o'clock.
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Tobacco Notes
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