The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-07

T>WENTY-F FIVE years ago today,
Oct: 7, 1881, the date failing on
a Thursday, the Minneapolis
Chamber of Commerce, newly born, re-
corded it's first business transaction.
Thus was born an institution which has
grown astonish1ngly, drawing upon it.
self the attention of the world which
has become a power among the COM
mercial organizations of the country
which handles within it's walls a bust
ness conservatively estimated at a hun
dred millions dollars every year and
that more than any other one factor,
has operated for business concentration
and solidity and has made the city of
Minneapolis what it is today.
Oct. s, 1881, is the date of the sign
ing Of the articles of organization by
the original movers. On Aug. ~, 1881,
q group of eight men, consisting of
George D. Rogers, O. P Carter, A. B.
Taylor, Samuel Morse, T. A. Sammis,
Charles Wheeler, Louis Duensing and
=. D. Bowen met in small room at
Third and Hennepin avenue to discuss
the matter Of organization upon which
Colonel Rogers had been working for
almost a year These names appear
upon the list of the twentysix original
members, with the exception of Mr..
Duensing, who was admitted to mem
bership in the first year after the or
ganization.
1t was decided to call a later meet
Ing. Meanwhile a canvass was made
and larger attendance secured. Twen-
ty,slx men pledged themselves, and
others then came in rapidly. Oct. 6,
1881, the association was incorporated
under the Minnesota statutes provid
ing for the organization of chambers of
commerce and boards of trade, and on
Oct. the first business was transacted
There was at that time, besides the
board of trade This latter organiza-
ton concerned itself chiefly with. mat
ters looking to the general welfare of
the city, but was not a commercial or
trading body. 1t was desired that the
new organization should be known as
the "Board of Trade,' and Colonel
Rogers In its behalf approached the ex-
listing board of trade with proposition
that it reorganize itself, call itself the
was argued, that would be more appro-
prlate-and permit the new association
to take the name "board of trade
The proposal was rejected with scorn,
as was later suggestion that the two
bodies unite. The board of trade of
those days was rather an aristocratic
organization. Most Of the prominent
men of the city were members, and the
newcomers were looked upon as of
doubtful standing.
Since the board of trade had a right
to the name under the law, there was
nothing for the new body to do but
call itself the chamber of commerce.
This accounts for the name, which for
grain trading body is not entirely ap-
prOpriate.
The chamber has had thirteen presi-
dents. In the list appear names iden-
titled not only with commercial and
financial Minneapolis, but with public
spirit and philanthropy. They stand
not only for wealth, but for the energy
that has built up the city. The names
are:
n. G. Harrison L. r. Brooks
E. v. White Chas. M. Harrington
George A. PIIIsbury John Washburn
c. M lorlng James Marshall
r. l.. Greenleaf e. S. Woodwork
Charles A. PiIIsbury Peter B. Smith
J. II. Martin
During nearly the entire period the
office of secretary has been filled by
grain trade. 9. G. sturtevant held the the
office for short period soon after the
organization.
The first annual report of the Cham
Der makes an interesting comparison.
The table for 1881 and that for last
year tell the story Of advancement.
Receipts CT oats, barley, rye and flax
were so small at that time that the
secretary office kept no record of
them. The statements show: