The Harvester World: Volume 5, number 3, March 1914

              The Wisconsin Steel Company Banquet, just prior to tbe oysters.   A celebration at the Hotel Sherman, January 31, 1914

best common results; common, in the sense of belong¬ ing to all. With this idea firmly fixed in the minds of all of us, I see no reason for lack of enthusiasm or dis¬ cord among us on account of false ambitions, due to a wrong perspective. In the results and records of the past year, which we have just recited, there is enough glory for us all, for we have made record tonnages, but in the year ahead of us, we will have a different prob¬ lem, for awhile at least, that of making a small tonnage at low cost, and if we do not ac(iuit ourselves nobly, there will likewise be discredit enough for us all."
C. F. Biggert, in speaking of "Opportunity" said, " It is a pleasure to be here with you this evening, as I always enjoy myself very much when I am with the men from South Chicago. At the time the steel inter¬ ests were taken over by the International Harvester Company, they were given the title 'Raw Materials Division.' It was rightly named, for those of us who were then with the Company can testify to the fact that it was certainly raw. It may have been the dia¬ mond in the rough, but it required a master to cut it. Fortunately for the Company, and all of us, the work was given to a man who could and did accept the opportunity. We all, necessarily, must stand on our past record as to how well we have accepted the oppor¬ tunity. The beginning of the year 1914 finds us in an entirely different position than the one just closed. We are brought face to face with entirely different pros¬ pects. We have an opportunity to show what results can be obtained under adverse conditions, for awhile, at least, you will have small tonnages, which will neces¬ sarily call for frequent roll changes, but those at the city office will surely all do their best in every way pos¬ sible to make the rolling schedules satisfactory ; and we are confident that the men at the steel works will make good. The Wisconsin Steel Company is more of a fac¬ tor in the affairs of the Harvester Company than, per¬
haps, some of us realize. We have a good record to maintain, and I am sure all of us, the entire organiza¬ tion, will be ever watchful in the future, as in the past, to accept the opportunity to continue to build on the past record so that we will hold our high place rightly won in the organization of the International Harvester Company."
B. F. Courtright, ex-president of the club, in referring to "recent accomplishments," gave assurance that the efforts put forth during the past year, in establishing quarters where the members might find relaxation, amidst congenial surroundings, entirely free from tawdry or unwholesome influence, had been fully re¬ warded by the liberal attendance, and the spirit of loy¬ alty to the club and parent organization.
The appreciative and receptive minds of the banquet¬ ers found the keenest enjoyment in the address on "Clubs, Ancient and Modern, or Hilarity versus Help¬ fulness," by H. F. Perkins, to the effect that, "among serious-minded men, the standard of social relations is vastly improving. In a period not so many years ago, to speak of a social club of good fellows, conveyed pretty definitely the idea of cards and probably gamb¬ ling, of late hours and probably drinking; and there was in the expression good fellow, not a little of the thought of jovial hilarity and perhaps somewhat of easy principles. But today, let the daily papers with their constant reference around the turn of the year, to good fellows, bear witness to the change which I have in mind. Helpfulness, getting one's fun out of giving someone else comfort or pleasure they otherwise would not have, is now the meaning of the thought in this expression, and that it has been elevated amazingly we will all admit.
"Social clubs of Good Fellows are breathing this same atmosphere and no club is now likely long to (Concluded on page 32)