The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-03
BUSINESS MEN TALK
OF A COMMERCIAL CLUB
Out Of Forty-tWO interviewed Thrty-nine Declare
in Favor of Such an Organization.
Say the Time Ripe to Get together For the Genera Good Of
City and State.
EADING BUSINESS men Of

Z
Lake yesterday took up the Ques-
ton Of organizing a commercial
club or chamber of commerce to pro-
mote the interests Of the city and
state. Several of them are said to be
preparing to issue a call for a meeting
to form an organization.
Forty-two of the leading business
men Of the city were interviewed yes
terday as to their views or the organ
ization of a commercial club in Salt
Lake. Thirty-nine expressed them
selves in favor of such a move. Three
said they did not care to have any
thing to do with it n its incipiency.
Several who were in favor of the pin
ciple Of a commercial club qualified
their statements by saying they would
support such an organization provided
it was composed of the representative
men of the city and was run for the
good of the entire city and state and
not for private interests.
Ghost Haunts Some.
The ghost of the old chamber of
commerce still looms up to haunt some
Of the former members. They fear
that factionalism and seIishness may
again crop out 20 make trouble. An
overwhelming majority, however, are
of the opinion that the failure of the
old chamber of commerce may be
stepping stone TO success in a new
commercial club. They believe that
the pitfalls can be avoided now that
thet Ire better known and that an
organization can be formed With the
motto, "All for one and one for all,
anG ell for Salt Lake and Utah, which
win work tremendously and aggress-
lively for the upbuiding of the city and
state and for the protection of the
business interests.
The suggestion was made yesterday
that while the club should include all
representative business men, young and
old, the active work in the Offices and
committees should be given to the
Younger men. Something was also said
scout the necessity Of paying a large
enough salary TO secure the undivided
time of a high-class man as secretary.
Opinions of Business Men.
Following are the condensed express
sions of opinion by the men inter
.iewed:
Governor FIeber. NJ Wells-I believe
that a commercial club or chamber Of
commerce is the one thing most needed
by he city and state. 1t will be a
great benefit to the entire state as
well as to the city. 1 will give any
movement toward forming one my
heartiest cooperation.
Mayor Ezra ThOmpsou-It would be
a good thing. In nearly every city of
importance they have such an organ
ization as a commercial club, but Salt
no q n faear- Of
merce, which might be made to serve
the same purpose in promoting the
general business interests of the city
Superintendent T. G. Weber Of 4. c.
NJ IA commercial club viii be a
grand thing for Salt Lake. and I think
one ought to be organized. ] am heart
fly in favor of It on account of the use
fulness it would be TO the city and the
state. 1t is a reflection upon US that
we have not had such an organization
before I believe almost every bust
ness interest is in favor of it.
John +. DOoly, cashier Wells Fargo
& Co.'s bank-I approve the PROPOSE
ton. There should be some organized
body to promote the commercial inter-
ests of the city ard the state The
difficulty will probably be to organize
II on a basis that will insure the regu-
] will be pleased TO help make it a
success.
Center Fsvors Young Men.
F. W. Center, manager Utah Saw
tngs & Trust company think a com
mercial club would be a splendd thing
and il can be made d success here II
spite of the demise of the late cham
Der Of commerce. IN organizing, how
ever. the young and aggressive mer
should be given the Offices and com.
\ mittees. The older men, as a rue, have
( made their money and care more abou
sfnjoying life in their spare time thar
efhey do about working for any semi.
public organization. There are plenty
of bright. aggressive young men in tn,
city who may not De as rich as som,
older men, but who would put thei
shoulders to the s@heei and conduct
commercial club successfully. With
frst-class secretary and aggressiv,
business men in control. I am sure tn,
organization would be a wonderful
help to the city and state. woulC
give IL my support.
Good Secretary Needed.
r. w. Wilson of Wilson Sherman
company am strongly in favor OF
could to make it a success if one wer
organized. Great care should be takel
in selecting a secretary I would b
in favor Of paying $4,000 or s., 500
year and getting a first-class man VIII
would devote his entire attention L
the work of the organization, and VIII
would have absolutely no outside in
terests. but who viii work for the en-
tire city and the state.
Don II. Porter, proprietor Kenyon
hotel-A commercial club would be
good thing if it were managed proper
". That is something to be watched
The secretary or manager should b
active. able and honest, and shoul
have no outside schemes to promote. I
he attempted anything of the kind h
should be removed unceremoniously
Enough salary should be paid to get
man who would fulfill all the require
nents.
James Chipman. president Utah Ma
tforal banIS-I would favor a cEambe
OF commerce rather than a commercia
AFub. 1 think the time is ripe for one
and that such an organization could b
made a complete success. Much dc
pends or the secretary, however w
certainly ought TO have bureau of in
formation If nothing else.
Many Letters Coming In.
Arthur L. Thomas, postmaster-Nc
hc.dv should be more in favor Of a con
r.ercial club tnan the postmaste
Every day am in receipt of four, fiv
Or six letters, asking Information aboI
the city and the business opening
Here in front of me now is lett'
from q man in Iowa who says