The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-03-30
A COMMERCIAL LEAGUE.

A GUAMEkClAL LEAGUE.
After consultation with number OF
business men the REVIEW would pro-
pose the establishment of u CONNER
cial League in Denison along new
lines from any thing heretofore pro-
posed or carried out here.
The old Business, Mems Association
has been weighed in the balance, and
found wanting IL is dead as dor
mouse without sympathetic friends
enough to give it a decent burial. In
our opinion the fault for its useless ex-
istence and timely death Goes not fall
to any individual. but to the plans tor
its organization.
In the irst place it was not club; It
had no features that made member
ship desirable. 1t was from the first
an ele .mosynary Institution supported
by grudging charity, open to all, with
out limit OF membership, and copse-
quently esanbling town meeting
more than we'll organized associa-
ton.
Secondly. the irregular time o. meet
ing destroyed interest. When meet
ing is announced the first question is,
"What is it for?" and when the object
is announced all those not personally
interested stay away. and a frightened
few meet and adjourn. 1t is indeed
wonderful that any results have been
obtained from such loose organizc-
ton. In fact, it is our opinion that the
same results would have been obtained
from town meetings called from time
to time by interested parties.
In the formation of Commercial
League the first care should be that it
ne an organization membership in
which would be an honor and privi-
lege. Having been formed no man
should be admitted save by vote of the
League. as our business men can safely
be trusted not to allow personal likes
or dislikes to govern.
Secondly, the League should have
regular meetings, not less often than
once month. AT such times any mem
Der should be free to present plans or
projects for the city's welfare, and the
very fact that any subject might come
up for discussion would create interest
and promote good attendance.
Third, There should he numerous
standing committees which should be
expected to report at each meeting and
out of these reports would come many
interesting discussions and suggestions.
Among the committees might we'll
be the following:
On city afairs-some member to at
tend each meeting of city council, and
be able to report the transactions of
of that body.
On public schools-Some member to
attend al board meetings.
On street and dewalks-One mem
Der from each ward to report and to
advise with city council
On roads leading to Denison.
{ On trade Improvements Plans fer
increasing business OF. merchar is al
ready here.
! On sanitation and quarantine
! On public enterpri se-Plaps for er-
couraging and attracting new tnsines 8
enterprises.
On public celebrations and HOLIDAYS.
! On public Morals "a secret commit
tee to report through secret Try and to
be known to president and secretary
only.
Program committee-To provide
some program for each meeting.
Membership committee.
The reports of these standing com
mites should be called for at each
meeting so that the membership might
know who were doing their duty ard
who were not.
Oae of the ultimate purposes of the
club should be to provide suitable club
rooms for the members, making it in
time a social as we'll as business insti-
tuition, and there should be an al nual
banquet for the members.
Meetings should be carried on ac-
cording to parliamentary rules, and
the attendance should be limited to
members only.
The REVIEW does not propose this
as any ironclad constitution or set Of
rules, but believes that along some
such lines Commercial League may
be made both pleasant and profitable
to the business men of Denison. If
this plan meets appreciation we would
be glad indeed to lend all possible aid
to the formation of such league or
club. We would also be pleased to
print suggestions or criticisms of the
above outlined plan of organization. for
out of much council cometh wisdom.