Kansas City daily journal., 1896-10-28
In ITS Ninth YEAR.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB INSTALLS
ITS NEW PRESIDENT.
M. v. WATSON NOW AT ITS HEAD
4. II. MEYER. IN RETIRING. TELLS
OF THE PAST YEARS HISTORY.
A. II. Stickney Once More Gives Vnlu-
able SuSEestiOns-His Paper Or
dered Printetl-Many PrOm-
inent Railroad Men
Present.

The Kansas City Commercial Club en-
barked upon its ninth year last night and
inaueurated its ninth president, Marshall
V. Watson. The meeting was a notable one
and of primary Importance to the city's
interests. Almost the entire membership
OF the club was present, as We're many
visiting business and professional men and
a number of prominent railroad officials
from abroad. The best business talent of
the section was represented. The speeches
made and papers read all eXtolled Kansas
City, sang her praises as a market center
and pointed the way to even greater
achievements in coming years.
To round out the dignity of the occasion
the handsomely appointed club rooms were
decorated with palms and appropriate mot
toes. One of the latter read, Make Kan
sas City a Good Place to Live In," and
was the keynote of the evenings pro-
gramme. Behind a bank of exotic plants
an orchestra dispensed excellent music;
"Old Glory caught in graceful folds, hung
over the windows, in lieu OF curtains, and
back in one corner, in what is ordinarily
Secretary Clendening's private office, three
white-aproned attendants brewed tempt
ing repertoire of liquid symphonies.
Papers We're read by \. r. Meyer, the re-
firing president; NJ V. Watson, the newly
elected presiding officer, and a. b. Stick
ney. president of the Chicago Great West
ern railway. The latter was guest of
honor of the club, as he was December 10
of last year when he made his memorable
III
criminative freight tariffs against Kansas
City. His paper last night was along the
same line, being a direct and analytical
thesis in support of the fiat rate" prin-
ciple as applied to Kansas City, and ad-
vancing valuable hints by which Kansas
City could improve and extend her COM
mercial relations. AT its conclusion mo-
tion was made to extend vote of thanks
to Mr.. Stickney for his valuable disserta-
ton and to request the secretary to have
it printed upon the club records. Mr.. Stick
ney'S paper was in part as follows:
'It is ny contention that the. rate from
an interior station west of the Misso Iri
river to Kansas City, plus the rate from
Kansas City to the next market town,
should be neither more nor less than the
rate from such interior stations through
Kansas City to the next market town.
Any other adjustment of rates would re-
suit in an unjust and unlawful discrimina-
ton in favor or against one or the other of
such market towns.
while this adjustment of rates has been
in effect at Kansas City ever since its
existence, within the last few months there
has arisen contention in regard to the
equity of such a division of the through
rates, some of the companies having lines
which cross the river claiming that the
law of economy in transportation requires
hat ha h. rnfa han he ho
the sum OF the two rates.
From an investigation of the subject
am convinced that this claim on the part
of such companies is not sustained by the
facts
This sentiment was received with hearty
applause.
In his remarks reinquishing the presi-
dency of the club which were in effect a
brief resume of the work accomplished in
the past year, Mr.. A. R. Meyer said, in
part:
THE commerce and industries Of this
country, for a period of years. have suf-
fered from the injection into political strife
of questions purely economic, questions
which for a wise and final settlement re-
1uire the careful study and expert knowl-
edge of most intricate affairs, and the dis
passionate application of truths and facts
established. Two great questions affecting
intimately every business interest, and
every, Individual, namely, the tariff ques-
ton and the currency or money question,
have, for many years, disturbed the even
life and happiness of our people. Upon sew
eral occasions our association has been
solicited by other commercial bodies to take
action upon one or the other of these propo-
sitions. Invariably, however the club has
declined to discuss either question. upon
the claim that our bylaws prohibit the
discussion of politics and political measures.
xl.-.
view. The willingness of political parties
to extend their dominion over all measures
and matters concerning the public is we'll
known, and following this conception to the
end would seem to lead towards absolute
abdicaton of all our rights, and to a total
disregard of duty towards ourselves and
our fellow citizens. Matters of surpass-
ing Importance. of a character that requires
careful, dispassion study and discussion
ought to have no place in politics. Con-
template for moment, the hardships that
have resulted from the giving over to the
uncertain issue of political success matters
that so deeply concern the business life
of the nation"
Mr.. NJ. V. Watson's address in assuming
the presidency was brief. Me concluded
as follows:
"And now that our commercial moment
um is so great, we could perhaps with ad-
vantage encourage movement toward
center, as we'll as a business metropolis.
ut is not my purpose to weary you with
recommendations for the coming year, but
/ would impress upon you the Importance
of rendering this association the service
which should be reasonably expected of
YOU An unwritten law of this club is to
the effect that the mantle of its presi-
dency shall not fall to any man a second
time: and. being fully aware of the prece-
dent established, pledge to you now what
ever ability l may possess, whatever en-
ergy l may have, for the upbuilding of
our city, for the extension of our trade
for the enlargement of our facilities as
a iobbing and manufacturing center, and
for the betternent of this club. For, in
the language of another, / realize that
Amy goo thing, therefore. that l can do,
or any kindness that | can show, let me
do it now, for 1 shall not pass this way
again.
General Manager of the Santa Fe j. ].
Frey made a short eXtemporaneous ad-
dress in which he complimented Kansas
City upon her commercial activity.
Among the other prominent railroad men
present We're Ansel Oppenheim, vice presi-
dent, and c. r. Berry, assistant general
ern. and the following officers of the Chi
cago & Alton SYSTEM c. H. Chapel, Chi
cago; Mr.. Phelps, st. Louis, J. j. Mitchell,
ST. Louis; H. H. Courtwright, Bloomington.
per, Chicago: William Reley. Bloomington.
Ia. and w E Gray, Bloomington, Ia
The usual committees were announced
for the new year.
MINOR MENTION.
Robert Taubman. banker at Lexington