Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-02-16
ADDRESSES PLEA
FOR A BOOSTING
SPIRIT IN ALMA
SEN ERAL GOOD TALKS MARK
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
LUNCHEON.
Boost Is Word
Stop RunOr and

A meeting that took up far more
time than is usually taken by the
noon day lunchcons of the Alma
Chamber of Commerce was the one
that was held yesterday, at which
time several fine addl esses were
given, all Of which were strong pleas
to kill off wild rumors and boost Al
ma, the best little city of its size in
Michigan. Professor Roy Hamilton
of Alma College presided as chair
man Of the meeting.
Rev Duffey was the first speaker,
taking the subject Of "Civic Loyalty"
He called attention to the unkind
things that were said Of a community
because of lack Of interest in the
community, and said that nothing
was gained b. knocking but that
rather great harm was done. He
asked that something constructive be
done or else that the knocking cease.
He called attention to four big needs,
civic patriotism, an appreciation of
the other fellow, fraternity and CO.
operation.
II. +. Reece, secretary of the Cham
Der Of Commerce, speaking Of the re-
ation of the Chamber Of Commerce
to industries, called attention to the
fact that il is as important TO aid in
the development Of industries that
community has, as to get new ones,
and that 70 secure new industries
housing conditions, water, sewage,
etc, must be Of such a nature as to
aid in making a community attrac-
tive to industry.
Mayor Murphy drew comparison
from figures that have been obtained
from twenty communities about the
size of Alma to show that Alma's
taxes are not high, but low when COM
pared with those that are being paid
elsewhere. He stated that he was
proud to be the mayor of Alma be-
cause he believed it the best city in
Michigan. He called attention to the
dangers that come from people who
cannot get work, and lecome dis
gruntled, and urged smiling as
great aid in relieving the disgrunt.ed
feelings.
Charles B. Rhodes, as a citizen Of
the city interested in it's industries
spoke in regard to the Republic Motor
Truck Company Inc. He spoke Of the
growth of the company, the war, the
necessity for temporary financing,
and the refunding of the notes, which
is now about completed OF $780,
900 he said S2,000,000 worth were re-
Gently exchanged for future notes Cf
this amount. He spoke encouraging
ly of the future of the company be-
cause Of the fact that it has the best
and most complete line of trucks on
the market and because the price Of
the trucks is right. He told of an
eastern director few years ago who
was convinced that the plant was To-
Gated i'm the wrong place and how the
directors were shown that Alma was
the right place, because of its water,
its schools, its college, its citizenship,
its loyal people, its home owners and
the fact that Alma has no labor
troubles. He told of plans for de
velopment, to better the living condi-
tion of the best who were brought
here by the company, which were
halted by the war. He spoke highly
Of the work that has been done here
by Col. Frank f. Cmith, first vice
president and general manager of the
company.
In closing his address Mr. Rhodes
asked for a closer relationship be-
tween the Chamber of Commerce and
the City Commission for the better
solution Of the mutual problems which
have to do with the development Of
Alma and for continuance of the
close diplomatic relations between the
commission and the industries of the
city,
short talk by c. A. Miller closed
the session. He called attention to
the fact that much of the prosperity
that the people Of Alma have enjoyed
in the past few years has been due
to the Republic and that the people
should boost the company, as any
thing that aids Alma industries aids
the people of the city to just that ex-
tent.