The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-07
THEYTAKE ASTEP W
A Commercial Club That Is 10 Assist in
Advancing the City's Interests
1t Will Bring Young Men Into the WOrk-En-
thusiastic Sentiment for Immediate Action
Leads to Preliminary Arrangement Is

A meeting of representative citizens who
feel that there is need in indianapolis of a
kind of work in promoting tho city's inter-
ests which can best be done in q new COM
mercial organization. was held yesterday
afternoon, in the Bates House club-room.
Enthusiastic interest in the purpose of the
movement was manifested, and good feel
ing, with an earnest desire to bring to-
gether in organized and harmonious work,
for tho general public welfare. all classes
of citizens, characterized the meeting. The
majority of those present were members
of the Board Of Trade, and o discussion
of some length arose on the action of the
boards committee in recommending con-
sideration of the commercial club project.
1t had been agreed that the meeting should
be held for the purpose of forming an Or
ganization before the boards committee
made public its report favoring considera-
ton of the matter. and q few of the gentle
men present. notably Judge Ayers. Edward
Hawkins and NJ. s.. Huey. thought it might
be advisable to await the result of the boards
public meeting before taking action. The
majority, however. were strongly in favor
of proceeding to carry out the purpose OF
the meeting. with the idea of cooperating
with the board. and inviting its aid. 1t
was argued that there was need of o kind
of work which the board has not been pre-
pared to do. 1t was regarded as doubtful
If it could well undertake more than il
already has in hands. and it was believed,
Tor various reasons, that a new organiZa-
ton, OF wider scope n larger membership,
would be more successful. 1t would surely
receivemore hearty support from theyOung-
er men, whose aid is of the greatest impOr-
tance in such a movement as is cOntemplat-
ed. As 1t was the sense of the meeting that a
commercial club should be formed, il was
believed advisable to proceed at once with
the organization In pursuance of the purpose
which brought together those present. The
commend it TO the Board of Trade, and it
would surely receive the approval and
cooperation of the boards members.
Certainly. the two organizations would
not conflict. Remarks of this nature
S%techhan. A. l.. Mason, Harry ). New.
A. +. Potts, George Il. Porter, Frank II.
Blackledge, Worth Merritt. Nathan Nor
ris, W.. IL. Eastman, Louis I'll. Gibson, :.
T.. Rauh and others.
about the work the club should do. Col.
Eli Lilly, the chairman, thought the build
ing association scheme suggested a prac-
teal and easy method of raising money for
the purpose of carrying on the work. Geo.
Porter thought that instead of the
city trying to have the arsenal con
verted into a gun foundry an eff
fort should be made to show
that indianapolis is the best place in the
country for a gun foundry, and that the
arsenal, with its present location. build
ings and surroundings should be left un-
disturbed. There is no good reason why
we should not have both the arsenal and
the gun foundry, and it would be worth
vhrIn 80 49, - -
dltion to our industries. Mr.. Potts thought
that a great change could he brought about
by making it unpopular for any citizen to
speakind isparagemento OF Indianapolis.
1t was resolved to form the organization,
and articles of Incorporation were adopt
ed. They provide ~ that the name
of the organization shall be the
Commercial Club; (2l that its OBJ
ject shall be the promotion of the COM
mercial interests and the general welfare
itai stock shall be $3.50 0 divided into s.
600 shares of So each, and az that the club
shall not be committed in any manner to
the advocacy OF any candidate for public
office. nor shall the directors commit il by
resolution or otherwise, on any public
question, but the directors may refer to n
general meeting any public matter that
may be deemed proper for discussion or ac-
ton.
A committee was appointed to prepare
wife the Board of Trade meeting to CO.
operate with the club. This committee is
composed of A. +. Potts, A. l.. Mason. Harry
s.. New, Charles L. Coffin, Otto Steehhan, W..
II. Eastman and William Fortune. 1t was
decided to hold another meeting at the
Bates House, Saturday afternoon, at 4
o'clock, to receive a report of this commit
tee and complete the organization. All who
are interested in the city's prosperity, and
are willing TO aid the new organization are
most cordially invited to be present on that
occasion.