The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-14
THE COMMERCIAL CLUBS annual
MEETING WAS AGRANDSUCCESSSS
Most Enthusiastic and Productive Session Last
Night Since Clubs Inception.
Nearly $50 Representative Citizens Sat Down to
Elegant Nine Course Banquet.
Addresses And Toasts By Dozen of The Prom-
nent Citizens of Grand Forks.

Assuredly the most enthusiastic
and successful meeting ever held by
the Grand Forks Commercial club was
that Of last evening. when took place
the clubs annual dinner. The at
tendance, which was in the neighbor-
hood Of $50, was the largest ever
known at a meeting of the organiza-
tion.
AT 6:SO the company representa-
tive gathering of the business, pro-
fessional and financial interests of the
city-sat down at the board. Dinner
was served by Caterer Al Logan, and,
as usual, was the best both in quality
and quantity, that could have been
asked for. The service was also good,
being in charge of a dozen experienced
cOlOred walters. 1t was about $3.50
when the tables were cleared for ac-
tiOn and President Lander from the
head of the room, where q table had
been provided for the speakers, an
nounced the program of the evening.
Before introducing W.. p. Davies.
who was to talk on civic Improvement,
Mr.. Lander delivered himself of
number Of appropriate remarks. He
called attention to the Commercial
club excursion Of last summer which,
he said, no one questioned had been
very beneficial to the club and more
SO to the city of Grand Forks. Mr..
Lander outlined somewhat the work
accomplished during the past year and
that which it hoped to- accomplish
during the year to come. He said that
1t had been determined to change the
plan of the meetings. which in the
past had been taken DIP almost wholly
with the dry details of the: work, and
during the ensuing year it was the
sfafantaG 10 Have this class of work
thoroughly digested in committee, and
SO avoid the taking up OF q, large
amount of time in lengthy discussions
of matters that might be settled other
wise. ..:.: :.
1.-The purpose of the Commercial
club" said Mr.. Lander, "is not purely
that of bringing commercial enter
prises to the city. One of the main
objects is that of inspiring the people
with enthusiasm and confidence in the
town."
Mr.. Lander also said that he liked
to see club which would have for
its purpose that of giving the city
something in the way of enduring
monuments. He called attention to
st. Michael's hospital and referred to
it asa monument to the Commercial
club, to the business men and to the
people Of this city in general. Mr..
Lander then very .titttngly introduced
w. P. Davies, who spoke, upon the
very important subject Of '..Ciyic I'm
proyemeht.";c ~. - -. :.''-'
s.st W..P..:Dayie.:. Address.
MIR. Davies began; with the statement
that there was no part or portion of
civic life -not.:covered' by his subject.
But there was one feature in parti-
cular with which he wished to deal
and which tended to beautify and
adorn city-that of tree planting
and of establishing beautiful parks.
MIR. Davies recalled the time when the
people of North Dakota lived in widely
scattered communities. utilizing tar
paper shanties for their homes. He
stated that time is now passing and
that the tar paper shanty of early
days is being supplanted by beautiful,
modern homes. surrounded, instead of
by bleak prarie, by beautiful lawns
fringed with we'll kept shade trees.
Referring to parks. Mr.. Davies
called attention to their need, not only
in Grand Forks. but in many other
cities of the country Where a quar-
ter of century since Chicago had
one small. poorly kept park. she now
has one acre of park for every 6O7
inhabitants. In comparison, Grand
kc ho hsst O
inhabitants. The speaker told of how
New York city during very recent
years bought parks at cost of nearly
100000 an acre. razed huge build
ings. and where they stood. planted
grass. MIR. Davis stated in this con-
nection that the city of New York
had found such an investment. even
though very costly. most paying one.
The taxes received through the in
crease in the valuation of property
abuttihg these parks had been suffi-
cient to more than pay back every
cent invested in the park itself. Mr..
Davis said that Grand Forks was to
the northern half of North Dakota
what New York city is to the United
States. Grand Forks must have some
thing by which she can attract people
here to make their homes and to fur
ther business enterprise.
There were several needed improve
ments suggested In addition to secur-
ing of the addition of park acreage.
Among them that of street signs at
the intersection of the different thor
oughfares to guide the stranger who
may happen In our midst; another il
that of keeping the streets and alleys
clean of waste paper and filth: an
other is that of tree planting. AS pos
sibly the best means of securing these,
Mr.. Davies suggested the formation of
ward or street associations which
would have in charge the improving
and beautifying of their particular
district. The speaker also suggested
that the Commercial club affiliate with
the National Municipal league. Mr..
Davies remarks were greeted upon
their conclusion with loud applause.
-. VIM. SprikKs' Address.
President Lander next introduced