The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-25
These Elements, He Charges, Have
Used the Club to Advance Their
Political Fortunes.
GAvIN'S REPLY
COMMERCIAL CLUB TRUE TO RIGHT
PURPOSES, HE ASSERTS.
Dynamic Incident Furnishes Sensa-
cord-Mr. Mummert's Address.

Former Mayor Charles A. Bookwalter ex-
ploded q bombshell at the Commercial
Club last night. In a speech thoroughly
characteristic of the man-bgilliant and
bellicose-he declared that the plowshare
of the organization had been forged into a
dagger as a weapon for certain members
of the club who had their own ends to
serve, political and personal The instant
denial of President Frank e. Gavin. that
the Commercial Club had ever been used
as a mans tool, added to the sensation OF
the evening.
Mr.. Bookwalter's address was delivered
before about three hundred members OF the
club who attended the first of a series
of harmony smokers that will be given.
Superintendent Mummert. of the local Car
Service Bureau, was the other speaker on
the programme. Last nights was one OF
the most successful social affairs ever
given by the club. The fireworks" did
not prove permanently discordant so far
as the pleasure of the evening was con-
cerned.
The members were welcomed by Presi-
dent Gavin in the assembly room where the
addresses were given. Afterward a buffet
luncheon was served i'm the dining room.
A vaudeville programme had been pro-
vided, but the length of the speeches forced
the curtailment of this part of the even
ing's enjoyment.
LOCAL CAR SERVICE.
Mr.. Mummert talked about an hsnnuand
a half. explaining In detail the uses and
abuses of local car service. His central
idea was to convey TO merchants and ship
pers the idea that selfshness is the bane
of car service in this city as well as every
where else. The inability Of some merchants
and manufacturers to understand the harm
they do in delaying the unloading Of cars
consigned to them results in congestion Of
cars and consequently loss TO perfectly in
nocent persons. The necessity for the rule
of the bureau. charging dollar day for
every days failure 10 unload after the ex-
piration of forty-eight hours. was pointed
which the per diem would be remitted
were explained Mr.. Mummert's talk was
heard with intense interest, as the greater
part of the audience was made up OF bus
mess men TO whom the operations OF the
car service bureau matters of daily
Importance. Dozens Of questions, pertain
ing 10 various phases of the matter, were
asked Mr.. Mummert. which he answered
as completely as possible.
His advice, emphatically reiterated, was
that in ordering cars merchants should al
ways order from the agent of the road
which acts as the switching line-in other
words. the line connecting with the mer-
chants private switch. II that be mex
pedient. then a copy OF the order given
to the commercial agent should always be
furnished the agent of the road which
attends to the delivering OF the car at the
point desired IL this Is done, Mr.. Mum
inert declared. much trouble will be avoid
ed. and If the orders given the agent are
not carried out. the merchants will be en-
titled TO rebate on the 81 a day charge
made for excess time in unloading.
APPLAUSE FOR BOOKwALTER.
When Mr.. Bookwalter arose to speak he
was greeted with a storm OF applause.
President Gavin introduced him as one
who had converted a small manufacturing
business into one OF large proportions by
honest and just means. Mr. Bookwalter's 3
treatment of labor had been such. he said.
that he had never had days disagree
ment with his employees. In beginning his
! address Mr. Bookwalter said
IF only / could have persuaded your
| honored president to have delivered those
! remarks publicly" The roar OF laughter
4 that went up prevented the speaker from
am sure 1T would have struck responsive
chord i'm my breast. IL not in your own
More hearty applause and laughter marked
| the conclusion of the happy commence
ment of the speech
1T was impressed upon me this morn
| ing, in a striking way. that Indianapolis
! has come TO be known in this business
world of ours This morning i received q
letterhead, printed on Maryland street, in
which was inclosed draft. autographed
on Maryland street. in payment for certain
goods / had shipped TO Juneau. Alaska .
! Mr.. Bookwalter continued his address ON
| Indianapolis" alluding TO the remarkable
| change which has come to pass during
| the past twenty years