The Princeton union., 1922-08-17
SECOND ANNUAL
PICNIC SUCCESS
Fully 1000 People Gathered in Big
Family Party at the County
Fair Grounds.
LOCAL BAND ENTERTAINS
City and County Represented on Pro-
gram; ]. F. Reed, Farm Bu-
reau President, Speaks.

tainly fulfilled the expectations of the
public in every respect. More than
1000 friends and neighbors assembled
at the fair grounds to participate in
the big family party. By midday the
grounds presented real holiday ap-
pearance; an observer might well
have thought the county fair was in
session. Hundreds of cars were
parked on the grounds and scores Of
people came on foot.
All the tables in the picnic area
were soon appropriated, lunch baskets
were -unpacked and the various groups
prepared to do full justice to the pic
mic dinners. Joe Leathers and his as
sistants had been busy in the agricul-
tufal hall for some time and most
appetizing aroma was issuing from
that building. Joe unquestionably is
an expert chef and his coffee Sunday
was up to it's usual high standard. It
is no small trick to make good coffee
in large quantities but Joe brewed a
fine brand and a sufficient amount
Sunday to supply the whole company.
Shortly after dinner the crowd
gathered in the vicinity of the grand
stand. The program opened with
several selections by the Princeton
Boys band. The first of the sports
was tug-of-war between the town
and country. There were ten con-
testants at each end of the rope, but
one man lowered head and shoulders
above the other nineteen and he was
on the country end. The advantage
therefore seemed to lie with the coun-
try, and appearances were not de-
ceiving. When the signal was given,
the representatives of the town hardly
had a chance to lie back before they
were giving ground. They never re-
gained the advantage lost and the
boys from the country had an easy
victory. The winning group was
awarded prize of ten dollars, dollar
for each man.
The speaking program opened with
an address Of welcome by the mayor
of Princeton, A. B. Gramcr. In behalf
of the Princeton Commercial club, un-
der whose auspices the picnic was be-
ing held, and the village, he extended
a cordial welcome to all those in at
tendance. Mr.. Gramer especially en-
phasized the necessity Of cooperation
between the town and country. He
stated that farm land in this section of
the country would considerably de-
crease in value if all the villages and
cities in this territory were wiped off
from the map. On the other hand
none of the villages in the agricultural
districts could subsist for any length
Of time without the farmers. The vii
lagos need the country and the coun-
try needs the villages.
Waldo Hammargren was the second
speaker. AS a representative of the
farmers he thanked Princeton village
and it's commercial club for their hos
pitality. Mr.. Hammargren spoke of
the benefits that are derived from the
people of the town and country COM
ing together at such a pleasant social
affair as a community picnic. He
urged all the farmers to remember the
Mile Lacs county fair and not only
to plan to attend it but also to exhibit
at it. In conclusion Mr.. Hammargren
stated he had been asked to make ar
rangements for speaker for the af-
ternoon and he had been so fortunate
as to secure the president of the Min
nesota Farm Bureau federation, J. F..
Reed.
Mr.. Reed delivered most interest
ing address holding the almost undi-
vided attention of his hearers in spite
of the intense heat and many minor
distractions. He stated that while not
in favor Of the general practice of
holding Sunday picnics he did not
believe such a gathering as that COM
munity picnic could be considered a
desecration of the Sabbath. During
the harvest season farmers cannot
leave their work on a week day. Mr..
Reed said he had been accused of be-
ing connected with big business and he
pleaded guilty to the charge. Farm
ing is Mr.. Reeds business and $780,
100000, he stated, is invested in that
industry in this country It is the big
gest business in this nation.
AS president of the Minnesota Farm
Bureau federation, the speaker ex-
planned the aims of that organization.
The depression that agriculture has
suffered since May, 1920, was largely
due to the deflation which followed in
the "backwash" of the war. The farm
bureau is endeavoring to have laws
enacted that will permit agriculture
like other big industries to protect
itself from too great a depression.
The men engaged in agriculture, as
in any other big business, occasional
ly need to borrow capital and Mr.. Reed
believes the state should be willing to
stand behind the farmer SO that he
can borrow the money needed when he
J III -