The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-16
LAWT0N'S AGGRESSIVE
~ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
What a Live Commercial Organiza--
tton Has Done for the Benefit Of
the Okla oma City.
ny NIN m H4AE n n


tton Has Done for the Benefit Of
the oklahoma City.
BY WIN. II. HoRNADAY.
..s~. Special Correspondence
:. LAWTON, Ok, Sept. 12.-Lawton had a /
live, hard working commercial club al
most before she had city charter. Every
move to secure additional railroad ia
,,cilities, the granting Of the electric pow
Ter and light franchise, and all the nu-
merous efforts necessary during the criti-,
cal formative period were in the hands
of the energetic business men compos-
ing the Commercial club of the early,
days. D n
| In pioneer days all roads led to Fort
Sill; now all roads lead to Lawton The
Lawton town lot fund, collected at the
government sale of lots, has been held
In trust for public improvements in
La on and to build roads and bridges
IN me county. BY advice Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce, the improvement OF
roads and the construction Of steel
| bridges have been pushed SO that the,
farmers in all parts of the county could
have easy access to their county seat.
| From LaWton great number OF rural
free delivery routes run in all directions,
and these have as leve roads and better
bridges and culverts tnan are found In
any Of the older counties of Oklahoma,
| which in very large measure Is the
result of the efforts Of the Chamber Of
Commerce. In fact, autos are now run
ming over the country roads in every
part Of this big county.
This commercial organization and its
predecessor have the credit of making
the organized efforts toward securing
two railroads for Lawton and Comanche
county; of establishing fine electric
light and power system; Of securing
from the government a 120 acre tract
for a park adjoining the city on the
ieast:, of fostering one Of the best and
most successful county fair associations,
with the best grounds and equipments IN
all Oklahoma; of erecting about sixty
fine steel bridges and improving the.
roads over the county; Of securing the,
selection of over $4,000 acres in the forest
reserve of the Wichita mountains as a
government game preserve; of securing
car loads Of fine fish for stocking the
streams and private fish ponds of the
county; of assisting the city administra-
ton of Lawtona in establishing fire
limit and providing most complete and
proficient paid fire department, with an
auxiliary volunteer branch equal to any
city in America; Of securing cotton gins,
ice plants, a large broom factory, fine ex-
port flour mill, brick plant, and minor In
dustries. These are few Of the num-
berless results which this organization
has assisted In securing, and 1t stands a
e united and aggressive force, ready for
q other and more important work for Laws
ton and Comanche county
The first Commercial club held It's meet
ings in tent; It's successor, the Lawton
Chamber Of Commerce, has been provided
with an elegant, commodious suite in the
new city hall. 1t has furniture and all
proper appointments; Is incorporated
with a sufficient paid up capital; is out
of debt and has funds on hand. 1t is
now Differed as follows:
Robert ]. Jay, president; MILFORD M
Smith and P. D. Anderson, vice presi.
dents; o. P. M. Butler, secretary, and
J. E. Jarvis, treasurer, with q member.
ship embracing the live, pushing men O
, all lines and professions in the CITY,