The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-10-24
[ COMMERCIAL CLUB.
proposition to Hold Mass Meeting Sat
ur.lay Night for the Purpose
Organizing it.
WHAT MAY ACCOMPLISH.

Biz Stone Gap has suffered in conse-
auence of lack OF organization among its
business men, There is no concert OF
action. There is none of that power which
union brings There is no committee nor
organization of any kind to look after
strangers, furnish them with information
ard point out to them the advantages of
the city. Men of means often come and
go without any effort whatever being made
to interest them and induce them to invest
here. There should be a Commercial Club.
with comfortable headquarters, and a Sec
rotary to discharge the duties pertaining
to it.
Besides, our merchants have suffered
from delays in getting freight. from over
charges, and from outrageous gouging'
by the Express and the Railroad Com
nanv: vet there has been no organized
effort TO make these grievances known and
to secure Il remedy for them. If the peo-
pie would take an interest in CONNER
mercal club, attend its meetings and
unite upon definite action in such matters,
much good could be accomplished.
1t is suggested that Il mass meeting he
held tomorrow, Saturday night, at the
new building of Mr.. Summcrfcld for the
purpose OF discussing this and otherpropo-
| ~. II 4 inf - Of l,n oil ~
1t is to be hoped every one who has the
prosperity of the community at heart,
every one who has an appreciation of his
own interests. will attend at 5 o'clock.
There has been no definite plan formulated
as vet. hut those who feel an interest in
the enterprise should give the subject
some thought and be ready to make def
mite suggestions. There should he no de-
lay in cnccting an oganizaton. Every
intelligent citizen can see at once how
valuable such club can be made.
\ Posi- reporter, in his roands ycstcr-
day, talked with number of business
men on the subject and they seemed unan-
imously in favor of the project. Among
those who expressed themselves are the
following:
Mr.. billiard said Il think some step
should he taken to form IL Commercial
Club or Board of Trade at this place. They
have them at every place of Importance.
4 Iiut
ccntra,iom of efforts was needed, and
something done to push things along, il is
this. Us merchants could work on the
different railroad companies, By uniting,
and make them Give us special freight
rates. and act upon many things, and de-
wise plans, that would he of benefit to all
John Goodioc said: Il think We need
an organization OF this kind to promote
our interests generally But we must 20
TO work and not merely talk and talk
about the matter, as that VIII avail moth
inr but some kind OF action should be
taken al once. and II concert of efforts on
the part OF the business men OF The town
is what we need ! have noticed on my
trip that the wonderful progress of some
of the towns in Southwestern Nir-
gimia. and the booms they are enjoy
ing is due mainly to the great efforts made
by the people Every man is working for
his own place. They attract the attention
of capitalists and manufacturers by having
good men in the field. and do not LET
chance OF any kind slip that will do their
town good Many towns that do not pos
pcSs half the natural advantages that we
have are outstrippinS us because they are
working ANY organization here to get
the people together to discuss the genera!
interests will he good thing for our
place
Mr.. Z. T. Short said: II think the
merchants here ought tn be organized IN
something like Il Commercial Club and
combine their efforts and work tor the
good OF each other ANYTHING that will
bring the people together 10 consult on
the needs of our place, and the general
welfare wil be of great service.
Charley Bcrryman said: Il think Il club
ought to he formed by the business men
of the town, controlled by Il Board of Di-
rectors, and have ii good man appointed
secretary, pay him salary, have him
to look after the interests OF our town;
show the strangers that come here what
we have, and always he on the alert to
take advantage of every opportunity that
presents itself in any way to help things
along"
r. T.. Irvine said: II am decidedly i'll
favor of the immediate organization OF
Commercial Club. 1t is one Of the most
important factors in the development of
new city. 1t will be Il ncuclcus around
which all the cntcrprising elements OF the
community can rally, and through which
they may act with some system and ciii-
cacy. 1t is Il capital idea.
Mr.. McElwce said: II am certainly for
it and hope it will he organized at once
W. c. Robinson: Il am with you. That
is what have been preaching ever since
came. Count me in. heart and soul.
Joshua F. Bulitt, Jr.: III is good
movement and Commercial Club will ac-
complish much more than any real estate
exchange"
a. Summcrfeld: "Of course | am for
it. Hold your mass meeting in my house
on the corner.
Judge Maury said: II think such Il club,
well organized, would he of more advan-
iagc to the town than any other one thing
which could he named. Such clubs have
built up towns which had not the shadow
OF the resources that We have. The land
companies, as they will reap the most di-
rect advantages from such an organiza-
ton, will probably respond generously
when called upon to help with the means
to carry on the work of building up the
town. which am sure the citizens united
can and vii! do their duty"
| II L Enx. ~ .Lnli nttnIN thn meet