The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-02-20

A circular letter sent out by the
Northeastern Minnesota Civic and
Commerce Association over the sig
nature of James H. Harper, presl-
dent of the Association sets forth
the aims of the Association regard
ing publicity and improvements tor
the Minnesota Arrowhead Country
With the improvements listed and
brought to success, fact which can
be accomplished by the united action
of those IN the Arrowhead country,
an era of publicity and improve
ment is seen at much less expense
than is now the case when the in
dividual effort is considered.
George H. Click has been chosen
to appear before the civic organiza-
tons IN the Arrowhead Country ana
tangibly set the matter before them.
He will discuss the purposes of the
Association and the uses of fund
to be raised in developing the pos
sibilHies of the section. After CIV
ing the method of choosing the
name, the letter goes on to say:
"Without attempting to go too
much into detail, it is the desire of
this organization to make known
definitely the specific purposes it
hopes to accomplish. They may be
grouped under two general headings,
although each will have many var
led ramifcations.
"The first to receive attention is
the tourist question which involves
the problems of publicity, proper
road maintenance, railroad passen-
ger facilities, and proper accommo-
dation of visitors after they are
here.
"The second pertains to the in
dustrial and agricultural develop
ment of the region and is put sec
ond, not as being of Lesser in. ort-
ance, but because ). viii re 4uire
more time, and NOR, ..a-y to hging
satisfactory returns. 1t is evident
after a little consideration thar the
first question can be solved in a man
ner that will pay dividends 20 this
Arrowhead Country while The see
ond question is being worked out.
GIN celebrating on these ques-
tons, let us point out the results of
considerable investigation. The tour
ist has been variously discussed for
many years hereabouts. He has
come in ever increasing numbers in
spite of what our section has done.
Many people will point out the
money they have spent advertising
in some book Bill Jones put out or
on some map John johnson issued
OF course the money is gone, but
what did Bill and John do with
their books and maps? Who knows
THAT brings US to the point
where this organization wants to lay
that such efforts are not publicity,
but in far too many cases We're
graft. It has been estimated that
$4,000 has been spent annually in
this territory for such propositions
with no guarantee that the mat.
ter was ever printed, or if il
were, was ever distributed to people
interested in coming here. Such ex-
penditures probably represent ar
economic waste of fully twice a:
much. money as would be needed tC
put the Arrowhead Country on the
map, not only as a mecca for sum
mer visitors but industrially as well
eve have thousands of acres Oh
cut over lands wonderfully adapt
ed to truck gardening and dairy
farming.
"We have many thousands of ad
ditional acres which are suitable
only for reforestation.
"We have every prospect for tht
passage Of a reforestation amend
ment to the State Constitution al
the next general election. following
which will come the utilization o.
what is now considered waste lands