The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-10
MASS MEETING
To BE CALLED
Is Decided by Chamber of
Commerce Last Night
GAS QUESTION DISCUSSED
President Davidson Delivers
His Annual Address.
GAS QUESTION DISCUSSED

Friday night at clock, when prop
osition for taking stock in the gas well
proposition would be submitted and the
matter would be generally discussed
The meeting last night was the best at
tended for months and was of extraor-
binary interest, not only because it was
the yearly meeting. but because it was
generally known that the question re-
garding the gas proposition would be
brought up.
And il was.
The members talked gas and how best
the city could handle the matter for sew
eral hours and finally a committee OF
three lawyers was appointed 10 decide
upon some scheme whereby the people
who SO desired could subscribe funds TO-
wards the amount required and De safe
in their subscriptions. The committee is
composed OF John Adams, 5. 5. Ashbaugh
and J. y. Haymaker.
The proposition, as stated by President
Davidson and others, was that the money
would havet be in a bank before the
drillers would make the attempt TO find
oil. If the gas was found the drillers
are to receive $1,000, and if gas is not
found they get nothing. In case there
is failure those who subscribe get back
their money, and in case it is found the
city will certainly vote the bonds re-
CURED and there would be no loss 1t
is much in the shape of a surety con-
tract.
Almost 5000 was subscribed by those
who were present last night.
1t is not question of raising the
money, said President Davidson. 1t IS
a question Of getting people to under
stand the proposition.
There was not dissenting voice to the
suggestion 70 hold u mass meeting Fri
day night. when everyone in the city
could be present, and there was no one
there who did not favor some immediate
action in the matter. 1t was generally
conceded that the finding of gas was
the making of a great city here and every
suggestion was that everything that
could be should be done at once.
Mayor Mclean said that the city could
not at once vote bonds on account of the
legal points. But explained that the
company which proposed to drill could
not come here unless assured that the
money for the work would be given to
them if successful. Consequently it was
necessary TO raise the money, or rather.
security, by popular subscription.
When the meeting was called TO order,
the president, c. /. Davidson, made the
following address:
PRES. c. l.. DAVIDSON'S ADDRESS.
This association was organized one
year ago. Wichita has many natural ad-
vantages TO the building of a city. She
also has many disadvantages 1t was the
purpose Of the Chamber Of Commerce to
take advantage of the favorable opportu-
mites for making this a greater city and
TO overcome in every way possible those
clements which seemed to prevent our
growth. Most of our COMMITTEES have
done good work The convention COM
mittee, of which David Leahy is chair
man. secured the two state political con-
ventions and raised the money to pay the
expenses The advertising committee Of
which Geo. p. Fultz is chairman. raised
and disbursed many dollars in having
printed information which has been of
great value in showing the resources of
Wichita and the surrounding country.
Prof. w. H. Isley, as chairman OF the
statistic committee, prepared very COM
prehensive map Of Wichita's commercial
territory, or at least that which justly be-
longs to her. This map and the informa
ton it contained was constantly referred
TO during the hearing before the inter
state commerce commission in this city.
and I think had as much 10 do with i'm
pressing the minds OF the commission as
well as the railroad OUlCldlS. Win the
lust claims of Wichita for relief
The freight rates committee with J.
e Howard at the head. did splendid ser
vice in assisting the city in its fight for
an equitable adjustment of freight rates
for Wichita. Many favorable changes
in rates have already been made TO the
of Wichita as a direct result
OF these efforts and much more is to fol-
low Very few people know the pressure
that was brought TO bear on the ones
Who started this fight to discourage them
and induce them 10 withdraw. Arguments
were advanced that all kinds OF Affections
would be visited on this city by the rail
reads. All honor is due the mayor OF
Wichita the committee Of the city council
that had this matter in charge and Mr.
Howard and his committee for the per
sistent manner in which they worked out
to what we believe viii be a successful
conclusion-their convictions Of what Is
right
THE manufacturers committee. Of
v hich Mr.. J II. Stewart is chairman. has
had much work and many perplexing
problems This committee secured 10
Wichita the Antes casket factory. and
have done much work in demonstrating
to the American beet sugar people that
sugar beets could be successfully grown
in th.s valley. These experiments were
not as successful as We had hoped for,
owing 10 the Isteness q planting and the
wet fall. These experiments should be
continued next year under more favorable
conditions. as il VIII be bat few years
until the western states viii Dc produc-
ing ali the sugar consumed in this Coun-
try. and Wichita should be 81 line for q
factory
Through the earnest efforts OF Air ].
NJ Knapp a branch o. the Battle Creek
sanitarium has been started in Wichita
the Chaulb Der Of Commerce contributing 10
its location All kindred Institutions have
grown from small beginnings. and with
Nichita's natural advantages We expect
il ot grow
The reports win show that We close
the year with al bills paid. having col
lected and expended for all purposes near
Is I'VE thousand dollars We have mem
bsrship OF rs. many u whom have been
secured lately by our efficient secretary.
who during the few months II his service
has done splendid work ] think the ass0-
cation VIII be Wen equipped Ter work
during the coming yeas
eIr1r0rtaut problems. Some Of which are
now being considered IS orr board need
prompt ana e1iclent attention one =
the greatest needs is southeast rad
throlch The coal fields Wichita must
start This road and through her individual
s-Fcrts see that Il IS belt 70 Wichita and
ROC STOPPED al the territo-y lire VI -
connections car - made with enc q the
liz lines. thus uaklcE il Il little heneat
10 this city. The Chamber ~ Co-uerce
ard al business men of Wichita must as
sist the Orient road 10 every vas 7oszi-
h,e rs she frsc-d~liu ~ at StuiweH
vEI b. q Tres ti-1ahle advantage % thss
c.tv
The sas vel a Winfield has exploded
The theory thai no mineral gas o. OF cs1
be found west q TIE Flint bills This
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