The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-02
SEVEN men CHOSEN
10 go Straight to Work on the
New Hotel Proposition.
The Meeting of the General Committee Yester-
day Was Largely Attended, and Great
Deal of Interest Was Shown.


Deal Of Interest Was Shown.
The big committee of citizens appointed
by the mayor recently to engineer the
movement for a new hotel in Raleigh met
yesterday at noon in the mayors office.
There was a large attendance of repre-
sentative business men, and great deal
of the best kind of interest was mani
tested.
The meeting resulted i'll the appoint
ment of central committee of seven on
Ways and Means, which will proceed at
once to secure plans and options on sites,
as we'll as formulate financial plan. This
committee is composed of MeSsrs. j. S.
Wynne. chairman; Henry E. Litchford,
secretary; John C. Drewry, James II. Pou,
Carey j. Hunter, N. B. Broughton, and
Judge Thos. b. Womack The central
committee is authorized to appoint what
ever subcommittee may be necessary.
1t is expected that the first meeting of
the committee will be held some time
today.
Mr.. J. s. Wynne called the meeting to
order, and requested Mr.. Jas. III. Pou to
act as temporary chairman. Mr.. II. e.
Litchford was asked to serve as temper
airy Secretary.
At the request of the meeting Mr..
Wynne made a few remarks. IN the
course of which he said he did not think
it was necessary to say anything TO the
people of Raleigh in regard to the need
of building a new hotel. There was no
reflection intended, he said, upon the
present hotel. There seemed to be an
idea prevalent that another hotel would
injure Mr.. Raney's interest. But there
was in reality no reason for that. There
was more than one drug store III the city.
and they all seem to be getting along
The new shoe stores did not seem to in
jure the old ones.
Speaking of how much money would
have to be raised in order to build
first-class hotel, Mr.. Wynne said that
some little time ago, when there was
movement on foot to build a new hotel
in Raleigh, a prominent hotel man of this
State was here consulting with a com
mttee of business men on the subject,
and the committee, in reply to his ques
ton, suggested that it would take $780,
600, outside of the lot He said that was
posed that if the committee put $4,000
into a building, he would give them ten
per cent. of the investment and would
furnish the hotel and take some of the
stock besides He said that he would
not advertise at ALL that the travelling
public would do all his advertising.
After a few more very practical re-
marks from Mr.. Wynne, Mr.. F. B. Aren-
- +I,1A l.
elled over the State a great deal, and
naturally knew considerable about hotels
and had heard great deal about Raj
eigh's hotel accommodations when he
was on the road.
He said there were two questions to
be considered in connection with the
matter: First. Was the hotel really
needed? and second, would it pay?
There was no doubt in the mind of any
body as to the first question.
81 believe" said he, that the point
has been reached where we must furnish
the travelling public and the business
men with more hotel facilities
Mr.. Arendell then went on to that
the general committee ought to s. point
a close central committee of leading
business men who would take an active
interest in the work and subscribe large
ly to the enterprise themelves. This
committee should not be larger than five.
No man should be approached for sub
scription at all until plan should be
perfected. A suitable site must be found
first There We're plenty of them, and
the owners were ready to sell.
Mr.. r. T. Gray followed Mr.. Arendell
with some very practical remarks, and
then Mr.. John G.. Drewry informed the
committee that he had received letter
from Messrs Creecy & Co., of Norfolk,
saying that their representative would
be here this week.
On motion OF Mr.. Arendell, seconded
by Mr.. Fabius Busbee, the meeting pro-
ceeded to permanent organization. Mr..
Bushee nominated Mr. Wynne for per-
mapent chairman, and he was elected by
reclamation. Mr.. H. E. Litchford was
unanimously elected secretary
Mr. Busbee suggested that a commit
tee of three lawyers be appointed, to be
at the call of the committee suggested
by Mr.. Arendell.
Mr.. Arendell then moved that the
chairman appoint a central or executive
of five, of which the chairman of the
general committee be the chairman, that
they organize, procure plan for the
building, get a site and formulate fl
nancial plan; and that this committee be
empowered to appoint such other COM
mittees as they may see fit. He also
suggested that a committee of travelling