Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-04-07
WORKERS HAVE
RAISED SIGHTS
Determined To Achieve Quota
Set in Memorial Fund Drive
i'm Alma.
COMMANDERS URGING THEM
Gclston, Captain of High Team, En-
cOurages All Connected with
Campaign.

After four days of preliminary
skirmishing, forces fighting in be-
half of a greater Alma have raised
the sights on their heavy artillery
and are now ready for the main
bombardment. The members Of the
canvassing organization, many Of
whom were at first dubious as TO
the outcome, have at last convinced
themselves that the job on hand can
be put across that the goal set can
be realized. Having convinced them
selves, they are now busily at work
convincing the people Of the city.
Yesterdays report meeting was
! the occasion for some plain speak
ing. Ninety workers were present,
making one of the strongest cam
paign organizations ever assembled
/ in this city. Division Charmen
Cushing, Wagner and Winslow told
their teams that the results SO far
achieved were not exactly worth
cheering over. They pointed out
that pledges had been received from
less than three hundred persons.
Alma had net been canvassed. Be
sides many of those who had given
had given under the belief that there
was no necessity for substantial con-
tributions.
The Rev. w. L. Gelston gave the
workers a vision Of what they were
really fighting for. In thc first
place, he said, Alma College was in
campaign, which, if successful
would produce $40 in other parts Of
the state to every dollar that was
raised in this city. The College is
campaigning for $6S0000. OF this
amount the city of Alma has been
asked to raise little over $50 600
The local campaign is the kickoff o
the drive in the state. If the pend
ing effort succeeds Alma College
will be enabled to begin a program
Of expansion that in few years vii
make her an institution in which
are 1000 students. The college Is
the geographical center Of a distric
in which there are more than
million people and it is the only
college in that district This com
munity, said the Rev. Mr.. Gelston
is playing for big stakes in thi
campaign. If the pending campaigl
tails Alma can not campaign tho
state again for years.
Dr. Crooks told the workers that
ground would be broken for the me
mortal gymnasium and auditorium
during the present year. The cree
tion of the building would call for
the purchase of materials and the
employment of labor. The structure,
he said, would be one of the drop.
that as the days went by would Il
the pail of prosperity to overflowing
There is increasing evidence that
the business interests of the city are
coming to appreciate the material
benefits that would result from a
Greater Alma College. There is also
a growing feeling that there would
be every reason for regret if it was
necessary to call upon outsiders in
order to make possible the erection
of the proposed memorial. Time is
tempering some of the initial oppo-
stion to the memorial plan.
The Alma canvass is the only or
ganized campaign in the county that
will be projected during the presenl
week. After Alma has made It
contribution, other districts in The
county will be asked TO help.
The Alma organization has re-
versed the usual rule in campaign
Usually the first day sees the largesl
of canvasscrs at work. III
this campaign the fourth day find-
the organization stronger than
was in the beginning. Seventy-siX
workers attended the Tuesday noon
day report meeting. Ninety worker
turned out on Wednesday.
Throughout the city, canvassors
are finding the friendliest Of att
tudes toward the college. Ever
those who have declined to make
pledge profess a willingness to give
''later on" The canvassers are
pointing out that Alma College nceds
help now; that funds contributed
during the pending campaign viii
all go toward the erection of the Pre-.
posed memorial auditorium and gym
nasium.