The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-12
INCREASED BALANCE
COMMERCIAL CLUB REPORT SHOWS
A GOOD CONDITION.
Particular Stress Laid on the Way
the Food Market Scheme Has Been
Received by the World.


Commercial Club occurred yesterday. There
was no opposition to the regular ticket. The
hours of voting were from IL a. m. to
p. m and the vote was by ballot. Mr. d.
B. shideler acted as judge. The seven
nominees on the regular ticket who were
elected for the term of two years are
Messrs. Alex. C. Ayres, E. f. claypool d.
p. Erwin. Carl Won Hake, Albert f. Metz
ger, James r. Toss and John Nj. Spann.
The annual meeting of the club occurred
last night, when the work of the organi-
cation during the last fiscal year was fully
reviewed in report submitted by William
Fortune, secretary.
1.-The fifth year of the existence of the
Commercial Club" he said CLOSES with
the general affairs of the organization in
improved condition and with several new
projects of public Importance well advanced
AS public spirit, like private enterprise, is
best stimulated by general prosperity, the
year 1894 was not expected to be one
favorable TO unusual activity. The plans
and undertakings for the year were ac-
cordingly such as seemed best suited to
the demands of the times rather than what
might seem most desirable per Sc. While
attention has been devoted somewhat to
rounding up minor matters, the year has
n,
it regarded as time for the laying
of foundations, and the plans which have
been outlined for future effort will, if
carried out, occupy much of the time and
attention of the organization during the
next year or two.
The closing of the Commercial Club relief
committees work early in the year was
given a general review, with a statement
that about seven Thousand people received
the benefits of the market, some of them
for period of three months and others for
only short time: The total expenditure
amounted to $1s,717.es. including the support
during the period of the Charity Organiza-
ton Society, which was assumed by the
committee and an appropriation OF $500 to
the Flower Mission for it's work. 1.-The
tending toward pauperization or dependency
was gratifyingly realized, said the secre-
taryS report. 1t was expected that at best
there would be an Increased number of
applicants to the Charity Organization So
ciety after the closing of the food market,
but instead there were fewer than usual,
and it is significant that neither need nor
demand has appeared for continuing the
work during the present winter, which
seems to conclusively indicate that the
usual danger of unfortunate influences in
providing general relief were successfully
avoided" The work of the committee, it is
stated has received high commendation as
an example of scientific principles success
fully demonstrates by practicable methods,
and during the year there has been much
correspondence with Interested people seek
ing information as to the experience of the
committee with aSview to undertaking sim
subject of much favorable comment in
sociological discussions, both in Europe and
America and has caused the city 10 be ac-
corded distinction as a model instance in
relief work.
Reference is rnatle to the new departure of
the club in bringing members together at
dinners for the discussion of public ques-
lions. 1t is stated that the aim has not
been to make these spreads at all elabor-
ate, but satisfactory in a substantial way
and a pleasant occasion for serious
sideration of important matters. AS the at
than at the former club meetings. the de-
parture seems to be appreciated by the
members.
The club is in improved condition finan-
cially, the report says. The cash balance
on hand is somewhat larger than a year
ago. The total expense for the work of
the club amounted to $i63.19 less than dur
ing the preceding year. The report of the
committee on auditing, composed of r. II.
McCrea, w. K. Bells and Campbell H.
Cobb shows the books of the club to be
correct, and summary of which shows the
permanent fund TO be overdrawn $12.e1oM
balance credited to the general fund of
ss4N94 a balance credited to the assem-
blage committee fund of $li, 012.27 making
the total $17,500.21, less the amount over
ing a net balance on hand of 81 $50. 40. a
year ago the overdraft of the general fund
amounted to $1s,2o.sS. the balance credited
to the general fund was $567s.96. and to the
assembage committee fund $l1,92l.54, leav-
ing the net balance on hand at that time
a.3S952
In concluding the report says: I'm the
review of the notable features of the
work of the club there can be nothing more
than general mention of the innumerable
minor matters which, in their demands for
attention, absorb much time. In this
spect the club is an agency for otherwise
unprovided for service. A good deal has
been done in a helpful way for business
firms. The correspondence with people in
other cities interested in the work of the
club has been rather large Information and
advice of this kind has been furnished for
the use of other organizations. some of
which have even found it desirable to closely
follow plans which have been originated
and carried out here
The general work of the club is indicated
by the correspondence, which embodied 15-
$50 letters, 81 postal cards and 2S,ol2 cir
culars sent out.