The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-03
ROANOKE'S COMMERCIAL CLUB.

What We!l-Known Business
Men Think About it.
A Proposition Made tn Absorb the Club by
the Real Estate Exchungc--Many Citi-
Hens In Favor of demonstrating the
Club by Adding AZ Social Feature The
Club not to Go. but to Remain One of
the Institutions of the Magic City.
1t has been known for some time that
the Commercial Club was in bad row
of stumps, that it had become involved
in debt, and was seemingly on the edge
of collapse. At tho Real Es tate En-
change meeting Monday night it was
proposed by director in the club that
the Exchange purchase the furniture
and rent tho rooms, of the club, and an
Exchange committee was appointed to
consider tho matter.
This committee submitted II proposal
to tho directors of the club for the pur-
chase of tho furniture and the rent Of
the rooms, but tho proposal has not yet
been acted upon, and in the meantime
a disposition seems to be manifested TO
attempt the reconstruction of the club
from it's comatose state.
4 social feature. in the introduction of
billiard and pool rooms into the club, is
proposed.
The business features will, of course.
be retained
Secretary Murphy. since his election,
has been working cncrgetically for the
upbuilding of the club, and has an
swercd many communications which
sought for information concerning the
Inducements Roanoke otfers to various
business enterprises.
reporter of THE TIMES interviewed
number of prominent citizens about
the status of the matter with the results
given below.
f. Il. Kemp, is one Of tho young men
who has tho interests OF tho club at
heart. He said to Il TIMES reporter:
The club has made up its mind that it
will not close out. 1T has taken Il new
lease Of life. George w. Ramsey has
been waited on by delegation from
the clubs directors to see if he would
accept tho presidency of tho club, and
he will make known his decision within
a day or two. He is well known here
and it is a fact that if Mr.. Ramsey
takes hold, the club will be Il success. /
intend To do all | can myself for the
club
DR.. Parsons, when asked for his
views, said tcrsely: Il regard tho Com
mcrcial Club rs one Of the most cmi-
nently practical ESTABLISHMENTS OF the
city. 1t can do more good by impress
ing strangers favorably with the city
than any other institution outside the
hotels
L. e. Pechin said: Tho Commercial
Club ought to receive The cordial CO.
operation and entire endorsement Of
every business man in Roanoke. as il
could have beci, made IL very important
factor in assisting the progress of the
town. But it seems that the members
Show lack of interest, and | have
heard that considerable number have
not paid tho first call OF tho small sum
of $3.50, while others who came in
later, have not only paid the first bu,
also the second assessment.
The papers this morning said tho
club is in debt. il is hard to say why
the club is not success, unless it is
that the business men arc too much in
terested in their own pursuits to give
time to build up tho general interests of
tho place.
II am inclined to think that by the
introduction OF billiard and pool tables.
they will have an increased Attendance
until the monotonY wears or, at any
rate.
''If the tables and cues are kept in
good order, those who think life blank.
unless they play pool and billiards, will
doubtless attncd, and then perhaps,
when man drops in, he can find some
one else there besides tho secretary. Ii
the snappy, bright young business men
OF the city would spend more of their
time at tho Commercial Club. dcvising
plans for advancing the interests OF
Roanoke, ii might be made the agency
for accomplishing enormous good
unfortunately, Two never had time
to learn to play billiards or pool, But
I'm inclined to think, after they get
started, III occasionally drop in and sec
perhaps one or two men there.
Il believe a change has taken place
in the management. and the board Of
directors are now composed of aole men
If they will take the trouble to use
their influence in putting the club on a
good basis it can be done and in such q
case many OF us, who do not take any
special interest i'll the club, will do ali
we can to hold up their hands,
MAYORS COURT.