The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-20
A RoUsING MEETING.
The Wichita Board 4 Trade 70 be Maintained
ard Strengthened.

prosperity for Wichita. IN response 10
the call printed in the EAGLE. about 10 OF
the leading citizens assembled in the board
of trade hall. and no greater degree Oh
harmony and enthusiasm has been mani
tested in that bail for the past three or
four wears. or. at least, that was what
everybody who was there said How TO
serve the Peerless Princess was the
thought uppermost in the minds OF every
body. and ali spoke aud acted from pa
triotic, liberal and highly encouraging
standpoint. Then there WIS no drag
about the meeting and opinions and sug-
gestions were offered freely, candldly and
honestly. Everybody was pleased anu
went home fully confident that the tide OF
prosperity which is now about at the
flood viii be taken advantage Of by the
new blood and the new energy that Will be
infused into the board of trade by the adj
dition to it of four or five hundred bust
ness men concerned in aud connected with
all the great commercial and manufactur-
ing interests ST Wichita.
President George l.. Rouse of the board
OF trade called the meeting to order and
stated that the meeting was preliminary
one for the purpose of devising ways aud
means for maintaining the existence OF the
board of trade by securing additional
members, and asked the will and pleasure
of the meeting.
Mr.. W. J. Wilson nominated Mr.. 6. W.
Clement as chairman, which was seconded
by B. h Campbell and unanimously car
ried
Mr.. Clements then took the chair and IN
a few brief and appropriate remarks stated
the object of the meeting. the work OF the
board and the importance of continuing
its existence and adding new members
that it might receive the benefit OF the
ideas and SUGGESTION of those whose inter
ests are not now represented.
Hs called attention to the fact that as
the city was now starting On an era of
prosperity, unparalleled in its history the
time was at hand for inaugeratinga move
ment to better handle the important ques-
ton which will require prompt and decId-
ed action by the organization which rep
resented the interests of the city. Inat
city south of Wichita had recently organ
lied n board OF trade with 800 members for
the purpose of looking after the interests
of their city, and that Wichita should in
crease her membership TO 80
That the old members of the board were
anxious that every business should be rep
resented and the present directors had eX-
pressed their desire that some means
should be devised whereby more members
could join aud become identified with its
work in advancing the best interests OF
the city. That many OF the directors were
willing to step out and let
new men take their places If 1t
would result in creating greater interest
in the welfare of the city.
He aid a high tribute to the work Of
the board in the past and the nerve dis
played by those who had stood by each
other under circumstances which would
have swamped any other organization in
the country, and now that everything was
tending to better times that it was the OPP
por; une moment to renew our faith IN the
! beard aud place it III good working condi-
ton.
That large amounts of money was ex-
pended every year by our people IN many
ways which was not felE. That 1t was safe
to say that at least one hundred thousand
dollars WAS expended in amusements
alone by our people, and the manner III
which it was gwen had not been
missed. That a small amount from each in
dividual monthly contributed to the work
of the board would enable it TO accom-
plish much for the city's good.
That the reputation OF the board abroad,
which must be sustained would not per-
NIT of a change in the name OF the organ
ization, and the grain inspector which was
one of the most important things inausur-
ated by the board during the last year and
which is 20 necessary to the upbuIldIng of
a grain market at this point could not be
done away with. With these brief re-
marks he appointed H. l.. Pierce secretary
OF the meetiu. and called on Mr.. A W.
| Oliver who said the plan which had been
suggested at the meetings Of the commit
| tees appointed at previous meeting was
to admit new members, by small MEM
bership fee and dues of at least 81 per
month; that the interest Of every citizen
was the interest of the Board, and 1t WAS
the desire of the preseat Board that all
should be identified with it, and because
of that was the reason he hoped some plan
could be devised by which ali could par
ticipate.
NJ. Oliver was followed by Mr.. c. E.
Potts, who thought the plan was good
one and. with that adopted, believed many
would become members.
Messrs. Rouse, Douglass and Campbell
all spoke in favor OF so reducing the fee as
to permit all interests to be represented
Mr.. McEnnis of the Hydraulic Milling
Company, was called upon. He stated that
he was familiar with similar organizations
in other cities and appreciated the fact
Z 81. he, aaA Of hnr "
always an advantage. and suggested
visitors membership ticket which he
thought would answer all purpose. He
had heard OF the " ichita Board Of Trade
before he came here and said that every
where it was considered one of the most
active boards in the country aud capable
of doing more than any other two boards
in the west when it got down 10 business,
aud be wanted 10 become a member OF 1t.
Mr.. w J. Wilson considered it Of the
utmost importance that the Board should
devise some meaus TO enable new members
to Join and participate in the work o. the
Boari: that number OF the business men
were anxious 10 take hold and become CO.
workers with the prominent men who
were now Identified with it.
Mr. p. V. Healey said thar, as 4 director.
he was willing aud desired that visitors
ticket be issued on the plan suggested by
Mr. McEanis, or any other that would
bring about the desired result.
Mr.. Rohrbaugh spoke for the new mem
bers, and believed If some plan which
would IriuS the fee for membership less
than 500 many Of the younger element Of
the CITY would become members.
Mr.. /. VI. Cox. The wei known candy