The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-30
Now One of the Leading
Trade Bodies of the
World.
It Is the Finest Grain Ex.
change Building in
America.
The Chamber Now Housed
in a Sumptuous
Manner.

Tho completion Of the new building OF
tho Minneapolis Chamber OF Commerce
Is an event OF peculiar significance to
Minneapolis and the northwest. 1t is not
the structure in itself which Is Of such
special Importance, for. though it is a
magnificent building, larger and more
costly buildings have been erected in this
city. But the occupancy Of this new
"Chamber'' marks the opening Of fresh
chapter In the history Of one Of the most
remarkable commercial organizations In
the country and emphasizes anew the i'm
portance Of the great triple industry-the
growing, handling and grinding OF wheat
which Is the foundation Of the Industrial
life Of three states. And further, 1t
makes emphatic before the world the fact
that in a score Of years that body which
is the heart of the great wheat and flour
industry has developed from feeble be-
xinnings to the unique position Of being
first In the list Of cash wheat trading or
Ranixations; that Minneapolis has become
the greatest wheat market In the
world, that minneapolis is by far the
Mrgest -four producing point, and ;
through the logic Of conditions, must con-
: tinue to maintain her supremacy.
:, Twenty years Is but a short time In
which to make such wonderful commercial
: strides. Accustomed are the people OF
the west to astonishing development, they
81 them selves scarce appreciate what has
been done In Minneapolis since 1881; and
Il even some of the people Of Minneapolis
do not understand the significance Of the
Nf 1nTNo a
twice outsrown its quarters and Is now
housed In one Of the most complete,
II not one Of the most costly, structures
devoted to buying and selling grain.
The MINNEAPOLIS Chamber of Commerce
grew out Of the need for market
Previous to 1881 the bulk Of the wheat
shipped to this city was purchased by the
-four mills through the Millers' assoc1a-
tIon. which, Of course, fixed the price
There were few independent receivers
Of wheat. But it was evident that the
time was fast approaching when there
must be an open market here and when
prlces must be established by the gen.
eral laws of supply and demand-and,
further that a demand from outside the
city was likely to develop and become
large factor in the business OF grain
handling. 1t Is an interesting fact that
Colonel George D. Rogers. now secretary
of the Chamber of Commerce, was the
first to propose an organization. After
many discouragements and considerable
delay his efforts were successful and on
Oct 10. 1881. the Minneapolis Chamber
of Commerce was formally organized>
II was thought desirable to have prom
fnent business men Of the city as 1ncor-
porators, without regard to their connec-
tion with the grain business, for 1t was
believed that the whole city must sup
port the new project If it were to be a
,nccess. And so the articles Of 1ncor-
poration included the following names:
n. G. Harrison. A.. c. Rand. John Dun
ham, A. III. Bode, r. V. White, r. r.
Russell, J. T. Buxton. W. F. Meader, &.
M, I.oring A. D. Mulford. Samuel +.
SNYDER, A. B. Taylor, D. c. Bell, Anthony
Kelly, James A. Lovejoy. Frank L. Morse,
D. syme, s. W. Serl, Robert McMullen.
], r.. Coykendahl and r. L. Crockett.
II. G. Harrison, who became president,
was a. leading banker and with few ex-
centions the other incorporators had no
direct connection with the grain or flour
trade. M.
It was the idea OF the founders Of the
MINNEAPOLIS Chamber OF commerce 10
make it conservative institution with
the grain and -four business as the f1rst
consideration: but the objects or organlza-
tion as outlined in the articles OF lncor-
poration were made broad enough to COW
er a wide range Of functions. They stated
the purposes Of incorporation to be ITO
facilitate the buying and selling OF all
products, to inculcate principles OF JUS
tice and equity in trade, to facil1tate
speedy adjustment Of business disputes, to
acuuire and disseminate valuable COM
mercial information, and, generally, to
secure to its members the benefits OF CO.
operation in the furtherance Of their
legitimate business pursuits. and to adj
vance the general prosperity and business
interests Of the city of Minneapolis.
@ At that time the Minnea polls Board of
Trade was In existence with the avowed
n purpose az promoting the general inter
ests OF the city and with perhaps no as
pirations # towards the functions of a
z s.trading,s organization, Its future, was
8s somewhat Iii doubt. 1t had opposed the
organizations. OF the Chamber OF Com
Fl snerce and there was probably some idea