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THE MARCH OF THE CITIES

HOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HAMILTON, O., MET A GREAT EMERGEN

H

BY

LEO L. REDDING

AMILTON, O., is putting $300,000 into a high school building, $250,000 into a city hall, and $175,000 into a Y. M. C. A. building.

Hamilton is the city that was supposed to have suffered most heavily from the flood of last March which cut the city in twain; turned its well-paved streets into debris-choked chasms; spread a sheet of mud and clay three feet deep over everything; tore four great bridges from their moorings and twisted them into a tangle of steel and wood; swept 335 houses away; wrought heavy damages upon 5,000 homes and business houses, and destroyed 230 lives. That flood cost Hamilton $10,000,000. And yet there are thoseoptimists, to be sure who believe that who believe that except for the human sacrifice it was worth the price exacted.

Hamilton has found itself.

Its principal business thoroughfares ring with sounds of industrious hammers in the hands of workmen who are rushing to completion scores of new store buildings. Three factories are being constructed and others are planned for the near future.

In its extremity, when the waters swept upon it in a succession of wreck-crested waves, Hamilton for a moment was without government within itself. Then the value of an earnest and thoroughly organized Chamber of Commerce was made evident. Men who were accustomed to self-control and self-discipline had no difficulty in bringing into instant existence a provisional government that was capable of handling the situation. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has its headquarters in the Rentschler Building, one of the town's largest office structures. In these headquarters were half a dozen of the leading business men of the city when the first

great rush of waters came on March 2 and there they remained until the flo began its ebb late the next afternoon.

The first man to enter the Rentschie Building as the waters began to rece! was Police Inspector J. H. de Armond who reported that the mayor could not b found and that the police chief w believed to be drowned.

At this report Mr. S. D. Fitton, presider. of the Chamber of Commerce, caile an immediate meeting of all the me present in the building, and a provisiona city government was forthwith formed.

The first move made by the hasti formed provisional government was t rescue those in danger and to afford pr tection to those left homeless. M: Charles E. Mason, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, was made chiế of the Commissary Department. He gr into immediate communication with Mayo Hunt, of Cincinnati, using the only wr that was left standing by the waters, and in less than four hours after the provisiona government was formed twenty-two motor trucks were plowing through the mud choked roads between Cincinnati and Hamilton, every one carrying a great load of food, clothing, and medicine. The for four days Mr. Mason's bread line was in constant service, and for a week longer his emergency storehouses were the city's main source of supply.

Mr. E. G. Ruder, treasurer of the Industrial Fund of the Chamber of Com merce and one of the best known bankers of southern Ohio, took upon himself the mournful duties of keeper of the morgue and also the duties of chief of the quickt organized hospital which was established in the County Court House. Mr. Ruder provided temporary interment for ninet bodies during the week of his peculiar

ce-holding. And scores of persons owe ir lives to the care given to them by him 1 his assistants at the hospital. Mr. G. S. Rentschler and Mr. Ben auss, both influential members of the amber of Commerce, organized and icered a volunteer force of fifty guardsen, who for three days and three nights nost without sleep patrolled the water ́en city, giving aid where it was needed d preventing acts of lawlessness by those 10 were degenerate enough to wish to ke advantage of the city's distress. Mr. George T. Reiss, a former president the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. M. Goodman, a director of that body, sumed responsibility for reëstablishing e city's public works. Mr. L. P. Clawn, treasurer of the Chamber of Comerce, became general treasurer of the lief fund and saw to it that assistance as not denied to any person needing it. Then a committee of thirty with an ecutive committee of six, with Mr. James 1. Cullen, one of the most active members f the Chamber of Commerce, as general hairman, was brought into existence. To is organization the provisional governent turned over the control of the city. Not a moment was lost. Forty thouand Hamiltonians came out from their arious places of refuge and began the work of rebuilding. The flood had divided he city into two parts, but as the waters eceded forces were again joined and it was ke an army of forty regiments all working

o a common purpose.

With the exception of the single line that onnected Hamilton with Cincinnati, not a elegraph or telephone wire was serviceable. The four great bridges of which the city ad boasted were no more than four piles of debris. The railroads were gone; there vas no gas, no electric light, no water fit or human use, and little food except that which was rushed in to Hamilton by the rucks from Cincinnati.

The first practical work of reconstruction was the temporary repair of three of the wrecked bridges. Then came quick repairs which made it possible to reconnect

came the restoration of gas and electricity, and finally the entire city took to the streets and began clearing away the mud and litter. Such quick action prevented all danger of epidemic and the public health remained surprisingly good.

Those men who had so quickly and so properly organized a provisional government subscribed to a guarantee fund extending credit to those who needed it, thus making it possible for business men who otherwise would have been crippled to make a quick new start.

There was no thought in the mind of any man, apparently, of permitting Hamilton to falter in its progress. Previous to the flood, arrangements had been made for the building of a new high school structure, a new City Hall, and a new Y. M. C. A. building. Instead of halting that work, cash was immediately provided, and the three great buildings were begun at once, so as to give employment to those persons who otherwise might have remained idle.

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The flood came on March 25th. By the 9th of April and by actual count extensive repairs were being made on 419 of the half-destroyed buildings in the city. Financial aid was given to those who needed it and who deserved it.

None of the manufacturing enterprises of the city has been destroyed and, indeed, since the flood Hamilton more than ever has come to be regarded as one of the best manufacturing towns of its size in the entire country.

Mr. Fitton and his associates would have considered their work not well done had they completed it without effort to prevent a repetition of the disaster to their city. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in the organization of an association of counties, the purpose of which is to canalize the Great Miami River from source to mouth. This work is to be begun before the end of the present year, and in a very short time the river will be stripped of its power to work injury to life and property.

Thus the habit of cooperation that bat he water hydrants, and after the pipes been developed by the Chamber of Co had been thoroughly washed out an ade- merce was an invaluable asset quate water supply was provided. Next whole community in a great emer

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT FARM LANDS

102.-Q. I have an opportunity to go on 113 acres of irrigated land in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, from which I may have all the first year's crops and where money will be advanced to see me through the first season. I can take one son of 23 with me, and one of 16 just finishing high school could join us later. My salary of $60 per month doesn't enable me to do all I want to for my family. Do you think I would be foolish to try the farm?

A. A good irrigated farm of that size would be a pretty poor one if it did not return better than $60 a month profit, under good management. But are you wholly satisfied as to the water supply on the place, the condition of the land, the desirability of the location, the certainty of markets and, especially, your ability to run it? And does such a life appeal to you and your family? Any one who goes to a farm under protest, with a preconceived dislike for it, or merely desiring to better his condition without knowing anything about farm work, will probably find the city more to his liking at an even smaller salary than yours. The San Luis Valley, in general, is all right; the question is as to this particular farm and as to you as a farmer.

103.-Q. Please give me information regarding orchard land in the Twin Falls district of the Spokane Valley, Idaho, offered for $500 an acre under a contract to plant and deliver a four-year-old, well-cared-for orchard. The advantage is that I could continue in my present position during the unproductive years, and have the land about half paid for on taking possession. Would you advise me to try it, or to buy and develop raw, cheaper land, myself?

A. Much depends on the reputation and stability of the company offering the land. The advantage you mention is apparent, but remember that at the end of the time you may get just the sort of orchard you want or you may not; and then you will have lost four years during which you might have been familiarizing yourself with the locality, the land, the markets, and the trees, and building a foundation for future success by giving personal attention to the farm.

The locality is a splendid'one for fruit-raising. The soil is of volcanic origin, strong and fertile, especially under irrigation. Water for this purpose is abundant although the rainfall

is sufficient for ordinary results. The price seems quite fair for an established orchard; nevertheless, when a sound farming propo sition rather than a business speculation is wanted, we are invariably in favor of the development of property by the resident purchaser.

104.-Q. In regard to dairy farming in northern Wisconsin or Minnesota, would you advise beginning on new land- needing cleaning and breaking or on an old, cultivated farm? My capital will not permit very extensive operations in either case. Do you think well of the general locality?

A. Answering your last question first, there are excellent opportunities as regards natural conditions, as well as markets and means of transportation. For persons with limited capital the scrubby timber and logged-off land usually offers the greatest inducements. But there are two sides to this question. If you have sufficient ability and experience to run a dairy farm you can afford to sink most of your capital in a well developed farm and established concern that will begin to give returns at once - if you can find such a farm for sale. If you are not experienced, you had better buy rough land and a few cows, work up a business gradually, and keep a larger part of your cash for running expenses until you gain knowledge and get well on your feet.

105.-Q. What is the character of the lands and the climate in Wasatch County, Utah?

A. At Duchesne the average annual rainfall is 9.9 inches, the average annual temperature 44.6 degrees F., and the recorded range from 107 degrees above to 38 degrees below zero. Data as to the land are scant but we find the statement that "the northeast corner of the state (which includes Wasatch County) is filled with high mountains covered with trees and nutritious grasses." The latter renders grazing possible, but agriculture is not extensively developed, as only 5 per cent. of the land is in farms. About 15,000 acres are in tame grasses, 9,591 acres in alfalfa, 4,648 acres in oats, and 3,643 acres in wheat, of which the last three are probabiy grown under irrigation. Commissioner of Agriculture H. T. Haines, at Salt Lake City, and the Agricultural College, at Logan, may be able to give you other details.

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617

FRANK WILLIAMS

619

A FINANCIAL TALE OF TWO CITIES
INSURANCE THAT PREVENTS FIRE -
LOW-RATE, LONG-TIME MONEY FOR THE FARMS R. W. Moss 623
MCADOO (Illustrated) - - -
THE BUSINESS OF CHRISTIANIZING THE WORLD (Illustrated)

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BURTON J. HENDRICK 626

CARL CROW 638 GEORGE W. ALGER 653

H. E. MILES 667 EARL HARDING

674

PHILIP H. PATCHIN 680

HENRY S. GRAVES 691

THE STRONG MAN OF CHINA (Illus.)
FORESTS OF USEFULNESS (Illus.) -
OUR EXPENSIVE CHEAP LABOR
THE CHURCH MILITANT AGAINST THE SALOON

FORWARD TO THE LAND

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FRANK PARKER STOCKBRIDGE 703

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TERMS: $3.00 a year; single copies, 25 cents. For Foreign Postage add $1.00; Canada 60 cents.

Published monthly. Copyright, 1913, by Doubleday, Page & Company.

All rights reserved. Entered at the Post Office at Garden City, N. Y., as second-class mail matter

Country Life in America The Garden Magazine - Farming

CHICAGO

1118 Peoples Gas Bldg. DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY, GARDEN CITY

F. N. DOUBLEDAY, President H. S. HOUSTON, Vice-President

N. Y.

S. A. EVERITT. Treas. RUSSELL DOUBLEDAY, Sec'y

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