The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1905-08-02
FOR MORAL IMPROVEMENT.
Of Its Members-A New Social Club
and Its Purpose ALSO Some of
Its Plans.

dnu 4tS uipUSS" "AlSV SVlllS vi
Its Plans.
The lights are shining brightly |
of nights nowadays in what used to
be the Ben Woldt saloon. Inside,
the bar is as usual and there is, if
all accounts be true, booze for those
who are able to gain admission.
The place is the home OF the
Corvallis Social Athletic Club,
and the Corvallis Social Athle tic.
Club is new organization, launch
ed the other day with a member
ship which the promoters place at
73. According to the statement of
one who holds membership, it costs
a dollar to join, and 40 cents per
month for dues. The dollar pro-
vides for life membership and the
40 cents per month is to pay for
lights, rent, wood. and other in
cidental expenses. The member
walks up to the bar, according to
this deponent, calls for such drink
as he wants, and puts the money in
receptacle for the purpose. Or, if
the member is in good standing
financially and otherwise, and has
frequent occasion for drink, an ac-
count may be kept of the amount of
wet goods furnished him and he be
permitted to pay this bill once
week or once a month. The claim
is that this manner of conducting
the business removes it from the
operation of the local option law,
the member when he pays his mon
ey for the drink actually perform
ing an act wherein he pays a part
of the money to himself as a mem
Der of the club.
Another statement is that the
drinks will not be served the men,
bers by the drink, but that each
will have a strong box which his
key alone can unlock, aud that the
club will furnish liquor to him only
as often as his supply in the box
is exhausted. The effect, in any
event, is exactly that of saloon,
run without city license and not
withstanding of city and state law,
butdoing business only with certain
trusted persons, limited in number.
The further claim is that the pro-
1noters consulted lawyers in Port
land, and that the opinion has been
vouchsafed that the so-called club
cannot be disturbed in its opera
tions by the local or state author.
tiles. The lawyers so consulted
, are Ed Mendenhall and his brother
of Portland.
Promoters also claim that sim
liar organization is in operation a
Hood River with a membership
of 500, and that there is anothe
at Lebanon with a membership O
$50.
The club is incorporated. Th'
incorporators are, c. c. Geer, Z;
son of By Geer, and a nephew O.
Ex-Governor Geer, Mike Kline ane
Merwin McMaines. Geer is the
president, McMaines, the vice
president, and Kline, the secretary
and treasurer. The objects O
the club are set forth as follows il
the articles cf incorporation:
-"To promote and encourage al
kinds of field and athletic sports
to promote and encourage the pleas
4 ure, exercise, and recreation of it
members; to promote and encourage
reasonable and proper protection
E of all kinds of wild game, and con
: cu-t sporting contests. For &C
e quiring and maintaining game pre-
e serves for the use, benefit and en-
S joyment of members, to secure b
4 lease, purchase or otherwise tn
;. right and privilege to hunt, shoe
t and fish On such game preserve:
: and to erect buildings or othe
y structures necessary and pre-
: per for carrying out the purpose
< mentioned. Also to promote tn
, physical, intellectual and 1nors
n welfare of it's members.
: It is stated that the promoter
Il have the assurance from the Sta
= Brewing Company that the latte
| will defend the new club agains
f any prosecutions that may resu
t if Corvallis authorities attempt t
It attack the new enterprise in th
courts. With the brewery peopl
: back of them, the club promoter
: very naturally feel strong enoug
l to undertake the operation of th
e new club in Corvallis.