The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-22

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were finally compelled to give up the
idea.
The Courthouse Suggestion.
''The next plan that was suggested
was to secure an auditorium in the
court of the city hall. This was thoro-
ly discussed and was given up as inn
practicable. Then the legislature was
appealed to and 1t authorized the city
council to issue bonds to the amount
Of $150,0O0 for the erection of an au-
ditorium. There were many op-
refused to issue the bonds within the
time limited by the statute. We also
endeavored to secure money by sub
scription from our business men for
the erection of an auditorium to be
owned by the citizens. While we re-
ceived promises Of few subscrip-
lions, we did not have sufficient en-
ing any material time upon that
project.
Commercial Club Endorsement.
Before the present opportunity was
passed upon by the Commercial club,
it was submitted informally to sew
enty-fve members gathered in the
clubrooms at our annual Get Togeth-
err dinner. 1t received at that din
ner very enthusiastic Endorsement.
Among those speaking in favor Of it
were Mayor J. C. Haynes, T. B. Walk
er, B. f. Nelson, ]. u. Barnes, Douglas
Fiske and others whose names I do
not now recall. After referring the
matter to special committee, which
secured a report upon the insurance
company from p. FL. Dearth, the i'm
surance commissioner OF the state, the
public affairs committee unanimously
Endorsed the proposition and author
lied the appointment of a committee
to carry it thru. This action was
afterwards approved by the board of
directors, after a full investigation,
and after personal statement from
Mr.. Dearth, who appeared before the
board and was questioned fully as
to the soundness and solvency of the
company making the proposition.
II was asked to act as chairman OF
the committee appointed by the club
to carry out the project, and I was
later elected chairman Of the general
committee made up from the several
organizations interested. This COM
mittee has been at work for about
three weeks. 1t has secured pledges
of insurance amounting to over $780,
900, and has many other promises,
and I entertain no doubt whatever
about our being able to carry thru
the plan of securing the necessary
amount Of insurance.
Another Agent Approved.
Before voting to have the club take
up this proposition, I satisfied myself
fully as to the soundness, solvency and
honest management of this company.
Before going into the matter at all.
| counseled with the general agent OF a
large eastern company, a gentleman In
whose fairness and candidness I have
always had complete confidence, and
was told by him that the company was
all right, that it was capable of carry
| ing out its contracts, that it's president
was one Of the best insurance men IN
| the country and that if he lived and
| had his health he would make this
! company one of the strong insurance
companies Of the country. I may say
that this statement coming from the
| general agent of a competing COM
| pany had more weight with me than
any array of figures could possibly
have.
A Proper Club Project.
| IT have been asked whether it wa:
within the province of the Commercial
club to indorse any insurance com
| pany. To this answer most emphat'
ically yes 1t is one Of the objects o.
the Commercial club, as stated IN 1T
charter, to promote the welfare OF, thu
city of Minneapolis sand Mayor
| Haynes, at the dinner to which have
referred, dwelt particularly upon thu
advantages arising to the city from
the building up here Of a strong insur
ance company. -.
II see no difference whatever be-
tween fndorsing a life insurance com
pany and indorsing a fire insurance
company, or a manufacturing or mer
camille corporation. The club has re
Gently Endorsed a fire insurance com
pany about to remove to this city from
q neighboring state and has recon
mended it to our citizens. We hav'
frequently and repeatedly fndorset
manufacturing and mercantile corpo
support them. No one questions tn
desirability Of having in this city ;
strong life insurance company. Thi
company nineteen years ago had as
sets to the amount of $500. To-day 1t
assets admitted by the insurance de
amount to over 100000. Is Their
any institution in this city, financial
manufacturing or mercantile, that Cal
j show such a record of growth?
''Some Of our citizens are about t
establish in this city a factory for tn
| manufacture OF Office safes. Inc com
} mercial club will probably be asked t
? indorse the proposition. see no rea
son why they should not do SO, an
} why they should not assist in the es
, Establishment of the company, even tn
it may interfere to some extent wit
the business Of the eastern safe com
panies who have agents located here
/ believe 1t to be the province Of tn
Commercial club to foster any HON
institution that is sound, solvent an
; honestly managed, and knowing all 9
this to be true, of the company max
ing this proposition, think its actio
in this matter is entirely proper.
|. Wide Cooperation Desired.
!, t'We ask, therefore, every citizen c
Minneapolis, who desires to see in thi
|, city suitable auditorium and must
hail. capable Of being used by GU
musical societies, and for lectures
. conventions and other public gather
t ings, to give to this movement hi
support. If each of 1900 persons wi
: take an insurance policy for $1,000
: the remaining amount will quickly b
made up and the building will be sc
' cured. We made a large increase
the amount Of insurance secured dun
l ing the past week, and the committe