The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-11-16
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1s, 1927.
COMMUNITY TREE ASSURED.

COMMUNITY TREE ASSURED.
n EDWOOD FALLS is to have a really
X Christmasy downtown this year and that
without any sacrifice of small evergreen
trees Most commendable was the action re-
Gently taken by the Commercial Club, authoriz-
ing one large community tree. At the same time,
and even more commercially, the Club set its
face against the placing of small trees before in
dlvidual business houses. By the action thus
taken two desirable ends will be served-the
children of all ages in this community will have
their Christmas tree, big, beautiful and blaz-
ing one, and at the same time the process Of re-
forestation will have been helped instead of him
dered. The beauty, the majesty and the SYM
bolism of the BIG TREE will be in our midst for
all to see, to enjoy and to reverence. In the
meantime the little trees which might have other
wise been used will live in their northern soil
to grow to be big trees to delight those of an
other generation perhaps. For the past sever
al years Minnesota towns have many of them
committed a wanton waste of trees by decking
their business sections with many trees of uni
form height and size with trees which were
vauess after the few brief weeks of the holi-
day season; with trees whose cutting made an
utterly wasteful and useless gap in the progress
which the state is endeavoring to make in re-
foresting its waste places. Redwood Falls has
never been guilty of this form of organized
wastefulness, but it has used many trees to ap-
pease the appetite of the individual merchant for
decoration. Now even this practice is to be
stopped and the city will sing its Christmas car
OILS around one tree of brave beauty, lighted graf
uitously through the generosity of the owners of
the local lighting plant. To others the action
taken by the Club may seem insignificant in COM
of no finer, thoughtful nor coopera-
alive action that has been taken in many months.
1t is good always for communities to "get to-
gether," to do things together, thoughtfuly and
WELL We insist that this move to have one brig
tree and to spare large number of little trees
is just that sort of procedure.
f-t-+
COUNCIL DOES WISE THING
IT HE CITY COUNCIL of Redwood Falls
has awakened to realization of what a
splendid institution its Public Library is,
and has fittingy recognized the worth of that
library by increasing the appropriation. Second
only to the public schools, indeed closely CORE
lated with the schools an important factor in
the education of the community, the library is
worthy of all the money the city budget can de-
vote to its use. In fact the time will come, and
get will provide at least one dollar per capita
for the use of library funds. this sum to defray
salaries, maintenance and still have balance
left for the purchase of those books without
which a library to exist For Redwood
Falls such budget would be practically three
thousand dollars. Little enough for the import
ance of the institution! And yet, we are inclin-
ed to feel most grateful to the present Council
that, even while it was unable to reach this ap-
preparation at this time, it did make q decided
and very necessary increase in the annual bud
get. The public of Redwood Falls has not al
ways been appreciative, understanding SYM
pathetic with the problems Of its librarian and
the Library Board. 1t is refreshing to know
that the present Council is awake to the problems
involved and is doing its utmost to help to solve
them,
FAMOUS-BUT UNKNOWN
n EDWOOD FALLS and Redwood County
will always consider Andrew Volstead of
Granite Falls and Saint Paul more or less
of neighbor, and always a friend. Therefore
it was with pleasure that people of this vicinity
read the following little appreciation of Mr..
Volstead's modesty and sincerity, in recent
issue of the Saint Paul Dispatch.
"This is a story of a'man whose name is on
every tongue, but who shuns publicity. 1t is a
story of man of moderate means who has de-
clined hundreds of opportunities to increase his
income substantially.
He might easily live in luxury, but at noon
he partakes of frugal luncheon at an incon-
spicuous restaurant. He could occupy luxurious
quarters, but he spends his working days in a
musty, poorly lighted office on the fifth floor of
the postoffice building.
"His name is Andrew ]. Volstead, former
congressman from Granite Falls and author of
the prohibition act. He occupies his dingy quar-