394 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The other member whose loss we are called upon to mourn at this 

 time was the enthusiastic, whole-souled, energetic untiring member 

 from Sac county. Will Drury. During the month of February, he was 

 stricken and died in less than forty-eight hours. We laid him^ away 

 with sad hearts, realizing that a leader and commander — a great man, 

 indeed— had fallen. Mr. Drury was a charter member of this associa- 

 tion, and served with distinction for a number of years as a member 

 of the board of directors from the eleventh district. He attended our 

 initial meeting, and, with his wisdom and enthusiasm, played an import- 

 ant part in launching this splendid organization. He was a man of 

 sterling integrity and unbounded enthusiasm., and possessed rare qualifi- 

 cations as a leader. He was just the type of man to be of inestimable 

 value to an organization of this kind, therefore we shall miss him the 

 more. He also served with honor and distinction for four years as a 

 member of the Iowa legislature from Sac county. He was one of those 

 big-hearted, whole-souled men whom to know was to love, and when in 

 his presence you could feel radiating from him the enthusiasm which 

 permeated his whole being. We believe that our loss is his gain, and 

 yet how much we miss him! He was always a prominent and com- 

 manding figure at these annual meetings. 



So, because of the high esteem and mutual affection of this organ- 

 ization for both of these deceased members, I wish to recommend that 

 a committee be appointed to prepare a suitable memorial to each, that 

 a copy thereof be sent to their respective families, and that the same 

 be printed in the forthcoming annual report. 



In closing, I wish to say a few words as to the outlook for the 

 future of your association. I consider it indeed very bright and hope- 

 ful. There is no longer any question among the better-thinking class 

 of farmers and stock men as to the necessity for such an organization. 

 They have become convinced that they can not secure what is coming 

 to them unless they are organized. They realize that this association 

 has built up an enviable reputation upon its achievements, and that it 

 is in every way worthy of their support. So I predict for you a 

 healthy, vigorous growth in the future, and if each member will use 

 his influence and a little of his time in securing new members, the 

 increase in your membership will be very rapid. 



No doubt an eventful yor.r lies before you. You are confronted with 

 by far the most important rate case and investigation you have yet 

 undertaken to defend. Your success will depend largely on the prepara- 

 tion and defense of the case. This can not be done properly without 

 sufficient funds; therefore, it behooves all to work to increase the mem- 

 bership so that ample funds may be forthcoming to fight this case. 



Thanking you one and all, who have in any way contributed to the 

 succfess of the organization during the past year, and bespeaking for 

 you a most prosperous and successful future, I will close. 



