The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1939-01-05
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELTS SHARP

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELIS SHARP
words concerning dictators and their ag-
gressive acts, in Wednesdays state of the
nation address, were undoubtedly the most
frank and critical spoken of them by the
leader of a major power since they became
dominant in Europe. The speech was in
sharp contrast with the conciliatory tone of
British spokesman as Czecnoslovakia was
being partitioned.
Granted we were not on the verge of
going to war to defend neighbor nation
yesterday, as the democracies of Europe
seemed to be few weeks ago.
The presidents policy in dealing with
the dictators apparently has been strength
ened after watching more conciliatory atti-
tudes fail mserably. His speech, it seemed,
was aimed at two purposes; first to make
American opinion and solidarity apparent to
Germany and Italy and second, to increase
that solidarity
1t may be argued that appeasing the
aggressors so long as our toes are not too
badly damaged might longer postpone war,
but it is doubtful if the Munich agreement,
for instance, served any worthwhile peace
cause
The dictators, apparently, must be talk
ed to in their own language; warned if not
actually threatened. Roosevelts words were
perhaps more real peace measure than the
Munich settlement.
REMOTE TOWNS OF 20 YEARS AGO
are today direct competitors for trade, due
mainly to the advent of the modern automo-
bile and good roads. Some towns gradually
blossomed into thriving trade centers while
others, apparently with equal advantages,
began to dry up.
1t is not invariably true that the people
in the town were responsible for it's develop
ment, or at fault for its tendency to back
slide, for some towns were lucky while
others fought a hard but losing battle
against worthy adversaries or natural hand
leaps.
Generally speaking the success of GER
tain towns is the result of careful planning
and concerted efforts by the merchants of
such towns. Competition must exist to make
good trade center, but community inter
est must ever be uppermost in the minds Of
its business men if town is to make strides.
Every town should have planning
board to study community needs and direct
efforts toward obtaining them Such a group
might take up such matters as obtaining in
dustries and community improvements, in
vestigate outside solicitors and questionable
promotions and establish closing hours.
A well organized trace promotion program,
in addition to Individual efforts, is essential.
The Civic and Commerce association is
the logical center for such activities in Red
wood Falls and has improved it's position in
the community in recent years. It's greatest
handicap today is that it is poorly financed,
a matter which should be given most seri-
Gus consideration at the annual meeting.
THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO THE
sports writer's were out for the scalp of Dave
Macmillan, Minnesota basketball coach.
They pointed out how long it had been since
he had winning team. They charged that
he was inefficient, did not know his job And
then, last year, he suddenly began to win
games. This year he has one of the out
standing teams of the country. Is he a bet
ter coach? Does he know more than he did
five years ago? Perhaps little. But the
change in his fortune is more likely due to
his getting some good material to work on.
No coach can play the game. All of which
illustrates what poor sports we Americans
are. A few years ago Dave was scapegoat.
Today he is hero. 1t doesn't make sense.
Window Citizen.