Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-05-27
AT THE CITY HALL
LAST EVENING

The Business Mems meeting at the
city hall last evening was we'll at
tended and it was quite plain that
the citizens of Grand Rapids are
thoroughly in earnest for the advance
ment of our city.
The meeting was called to order by
George M. Hill. The first business
was the election of officers, which
called out some little discussion. DR..
0. T. Hougen recommended that a
constitution and bylaws were the
first steps to be taken. The next
order of business seemed to be ex-
cuses, apologies and declining to serve
as officers. But the best interest of
the city were finally secured in the
election Of f. Oberbeck. president:
E. A. Upham, secretary: and Geo M.
Hill as treasurer. T. A. Taylor spoke
at some length and gave
clear idea of the needs of preparation
for Offering prospective companies
something definite and tangible in
regard to location.
1t seems odd that some of our best
business men will put price on land
desirable for the location of manu-
featuring plants that is entirely pro-
hibitOry for securing the same Mr..
Taylor's plan and suggestions were
we'll received.
e. A. Upham made the patriotic
speech of the evening and seemed
willing to do his full share in carry
ing on this work. He paid the ladies
of the city a splendid compliment in
the way they united and organized,
and raised 800 for the manual train
ing equipments at the high school.
A. NJ. Muir also spoke of the
necessity of having some cash back Of
an organization Of this kind, and he
was willing to do his part.
Judge GaynOr spoke. of the desira-
bility of securing several small
manufacturing plants rather than
that cheap power and cheap land were
the prime necessities. He also spoke
OF our mapping while our neighboring
city secured favors that we might
just as well had.
The question of constitution and
by laws was discussed at some length,
when it was moved that the president,
Mr. Oberbeck, appoint committee
Of three for drafting constitution and
by laws governing this organization.
The following committee was APP
pointed: T. A. Taylor, Thee. w.
Brazeau and w. f. Kellogg.
F. J. Wood was called upon and
spoke of the necessity of having some
cash back of an organization of this
kind. He was willing to do his part
along this line and in regard to a
membership fee he was in favor of
putting this amount at s..
Mayor Nash and others spoke of
putting the membership fee much
lower than this, as this was to be an
organization not of business men but
of citizens of Grand Rapids, where
the laborlng men would be as welcome
and as gladly heard in the meetings as
the business men, for it is upon the
laboring men that the city must
depend. 1t was finally decided that
membership fee should be 81, which
will insure at least two-hundred
members.
The following are those who have
already signed the membership list:
e. Oberbeck, E. A. Upham, j. A.
Gaynor, T. A. Lipke, FL. Wood, J. r.
Raglan, A. j. Hasbrouck, r, A. Weeks,
J. e. DAILY, l.. M. Nash, E. II. Smith.
f. e. Bump. VIM. Reeves, VIM. Kel-
log. O. T. Hougen, E. w. Ellis, G.. NJ.
Hill. Sam Church, H. G. Corbett,
M. H. jackson, G.. S. Whittlesey. w.
H. Gets, Theo. w. Brazeau, VIM.
Brazeau, Geo. w. Lyons, Fl. S. You
ker, T. A. Taylor, M. E. Pillar, c. F.
Kruger, j. G. Willard, Chas. Lester,
NJ. J. Slattery, A. G. Otto, A. M.
Muir, III. H. Voss, j. A. Cohen, Aug.
Nieman, Theron Lyons, F. G. Gilkey,
R. o. Wipperman, A. B. Bever, VIM.
n. Petzold, J. d. La Breche, M. A.
Bogoger. Geo. F. Krieger, 81. L. Mis-
coll, d. D. Conway, Fred Bossert.
The meeting was success in every
respect and the united purpose will
insure the desired results.