The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-10
NEEU MUhE MIN.
Commercial Club Should Have
More Members.
Steps Are Taken to Extend Its
Scope.
~NOPARCELS POS LAW.
Club Is Divided on Whether It
Would Be Wise.
Accordingly No Action Is Taken
by the Organization.
)PARCELS POST LAW.


An effort is to be made by the mem
bers of h Commercial club to Increase
the membership of the Organization to
a number which viii be commensurate
in a way with the Industrial Importance
of the city. and for the further purpose
of arOusing the interest of the business
men in the city in the brilliant pros
poets that Topeka has for a substantial
growth along anlines of endeavor and
OF the great stimulus that can be given
to this growth thfough the concerted
action of all the business men.
This was determined at the regular
monthly meeting of the club which was
held last evening and within the next
week or so, every member Of the club,
acting under the direction of the mem
bership committee, will devote a half
day of his time to -canvassing the bust
ness men of his neighborhCod for the
urpoS of having them join h club.
At the present time the membership of
the club totals but about two hundred
and seventy-hve, n there is a feeling
among the members hat this number
ought to be more than doubled.
The matter was brought to the atten-
ton of the club by a communication
from the membership committee,
which was presented by its chairman,
C. d. Skinner. 1t read as follows:
"GentlemeE:-A live organization look
ing after the interests of a community
IS one of the modern day essentials in
every city of any Importance. Organi-
cations similar to our Commercial club
are sustained in every city and town
of any importance in the entire ountry
by public subscription by the people
who are interested in the growth and
welfare of the community. Topeka
ought to have at least 500 Members.
The city of Wichita has a commercial
club and a chamber of commerce. The
annual dues of each are $40. When our
club visited Wichita last month we
r-an2 al - 49,, LAI E00
members and the other zoo and between
the two there was over 40 applications
for membership Everybody in Wichita
belongs to the commercial club or the
chamber of commerce and we all know
what Wichita is doing as a result Of
the united efforts of her citizens. The
people of Topeka should emulate the ex-
ample of Wichita and regard it as a
privilege to assist in the city's advance
ment. Let all citizens Join in shaping
the policy instead Of staying outside
and criticising.
THE committee on membership of
the Commercial club Of Topeka proposes
to ask every member of the club to give
one-half days time to making a can
vass of their neighborhood in securing
new members.
If this meets with the approval of
the club, the committee Will arrange
details for carrying out the PROPOSE
ton"
When this communication had been
presented Ralph S. Brigham declared
that it was a step in the right direction.
He went a little further and said that
he would be in favor Of at least restor-
ing the old initiation fee for new mem
bers Of IS. During the last couple OF
years there has been no entrance fee
TO the club, the only expense being in
VOWED to member of annual dues of
$12 each. Mr.. Brigham said that any
maj who thought enough of the bust
ness interests of the city to Join the
club would be willing TO pay an en-
trance fee and that such fees would
help along the financial condition OF
the club in great shape. MI. Brigham
made no motion on this subject, and
after several of the other members had
spoken a motion was passed endorsing
the communication OF the membership
committee and also expressing the
sense of the club that all of the mem
hers should devot a half day of their
time for the canva for new members.
The membership committee Will work
out a plan whereby the members of the
club will be divided up into sort of can
wasting committees. and q thorough
canvass of the business men of the city
will be made.
O. S. Morrow, president of the Kansas
Children's Home society. told the club
that this organization was contemplate
ing the erection in this city of an Office
building to cost between $25,O0O n
$40, coo, the income from Wn1cn Woulu
be used for the benefit of the society.
He said that invitations had come from
Kansas City, Kans Lawrence, Leaven-
worth and Wichita for n erection of
the building in those cities but that the
board of directors of the society favored
the building of it in Topeka and he
asked the club to give the proposition
its endorsement. DR.. Markley, who has
been engaged by the society to raise
the money for this building, told Of the
great work that the society has been
doing and he said that he hoped to raise
$4,000 for the building in Topeka. The
matter Of the clubs endorsement of
the plan was referred to the board of
directors and 1t will undoubtedly be
Another considerable discussion was