Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-10-20
ALMA IS GOOD
MANUF ACQUIRING
CITY IS WORD
ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT VS.
TIED Is THE VIEW OF GRAND
RAPIDS WHOLESALERS.
Newspapers Speak
We'll of the City

That the wholesalers of Grand Rap
ids were much impressed with their
visit to Alma, and to the big pos
sibilities that are open in this section
Of the state for the Wholesale houses
of that city is evidenced in some of
the articles which appeared in Grand
Rapids newspapers last week, follow
ing the visit Of the wholesalers to
this city.
The Grand Rapids Herald said:
"At Alma, the only city of conse-
quence industrially visited by the spe-
cial since leaving Ludington, the
wholesalers found business on the up
grade, with its merchants quite opt-
mistic. The Republic Motor Truck
company is employing about 200 men
and gradually increasing its force
The Swift e. Co. branch is handling
considerable poultry and eggs, and the
Libby company is distributing large
sums to cucumber growers. The
Northern Wheel company's plant is
running with nearly full force, and
the Michigan Sugar company's plant
is to start in few days. This latter
factory will pay out between $5OO,00O
and S750,000 before the season is
over.
Business conditions have taken a
turn for the better, according to c. II.
Washburn and X. r. Adams, repre-
senting the two Alma banks. The
Furniture City band gave a concert
at the Masonic home and a flag was
presented the institution by the Wis
itors. Alma college attendance is the
largest on record"
In discussing the trip Floyd Fisher,
writing for the Grand Rapids News,
said:
During the tour through the sugar
beet region, the Grand Rapids whole
salers were amazed at the prospects
of new trade in this district. Mer-
chants in the cities visited not only
welcomed the Furniture City trade
extenders, but in each case gave them
assurances of continued and new bus
mess.
with couple more frosts the beet
growers will be happy lot. 1t is
generally believed that the beet crop
is about so per cent good. Around
Mt. Pleasant the acreage is off"
while in the Alma and Ithaca terri
tory the acreage is better, but the
sugar content of the beets is said to
be little less.
Farmers are pleased with the out
look. The report that the price of
beets would be far less than the pres
ent has been discredited. The growers
have been expecting a little less for
their product than they received last
year.
"The retailers tell wholesalers that
the farmers are buying now. The
latter are spending more money on
equipment and less on luxury than for
several years past.
"The farmers in this locality are
holding up their grain, potatoes and
apples for a little higher price, it
was reported. Many Of the beet grow
ers are delaying their harvest for
more frosts, which, growers claim, in
creases the sugar percentage in the
beets.
Alma merchants are staging four
days sale, which they believe will be
attended by thousands of persons. A
five passenger auto will be given
away.
"This sale is staged for the purpose
I Of aftraptInn ocfIin,r x1,itl h i,,
radius of 20 miles from Alma. A
large number Of these residents have
been going to Saginaw, Owosso and
st. Johns to DO their trading.
Bankers here and in st. Louis re-
port that savings accounts are in
creasing over the commercial ac-
counts this year. Last year it was the
opposite, they aver.
'The beet growers in this territory
will receive between one-haf to three
quarters of million dollars this year
for their beets. Last year they re-
ceived about 81 100000 for about 27,-
100000 pounds Of beets.
"The Republic Truck company is
employing about 200 men. When run
ming full force 2,700 men are on the
payroll. The Northern Wheel COM
pany is working nearly full time. A.
c. Chapman, formerly of the Mich
igan Hearse and Casket company at
Grand Rapids, is superintendent of
this concern.
THE pickle and other packing sta
tions are receiving about the average
amount of produce. The two bakeries
at Alma supply a territory within
radius of 30 miles with baked goods.
College officers at Alma report at
tendance records broken this year
This city has bus service between
Saginaw, st. Louis, Mt. Pleasant and
81 Tobno ~