The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-06-07

X rOr tWO yeUFB--Es Js Lander,
I: William Spriggs, Geo. B. Clifford,
/: X. B. Griffith, H. N. Wells and II.
Bendeke.
Club membership-16O.
The annual meeting of the Grand
Forks Commercial club was h,/d in
the clubs quarters in the st. Johns
block last night at which time the re-
ports of officers and the annual ad-
dress of President E. J. Lander were
received. The report of the secretary
and treasurer showed the membership
large and the finances as being in good
shape.
Your club has reached the close of
the second year of its life." President
E. ]. Lander said in opening, land 1
feel that each one of you should be
congratulated. The critical year has
passed, and it finds the club today a
stronger, more active and influential
force In the community than ever be-
fore. 1t has been the experience of
similar organizations in other cities,
and our own. that the first year main
tainance of clubs was comparatively
easy matter-the enthusiasm and great
hope of the possibilities of accom-
plishment carried it through, but
later when 1t was found that it could
not accomplish miracles. interest wan
ed, and the organization died. 1 say,
we have passed this critical stage
true, we have lost members during
the year; some from the causes above
suggested. others because personal
direct benefits were not discoverable,
and few who felt their toes had been
stepped upon by certain activities
taken up by the club in the public in
terest, but these fallings from the
ranks were only to be expected and
has been more than made up by others
who have taken their places. Further
more. there is today feeling among
individual members that a positive
personal responsibility rests upon
them; for this you are especially to be
congratulated. This club is yours-it
does not belong to the officers or d.
rectors; their responsibility to it is in
but slight measure greater than yours.
You are charged with the obligation to
bring to the club your best talent and
ability and to help make Grand Forks
a good town to live ia"
The Clubs Undertakings.
II will call to your attention a few
of the more important undertakings
of the club during the past year," Mr.
Lander said in continuing. Wesley
college is now fixed fact in this COM
munity, and only through the gener-
osity of our citizens, and the activity
of this club was this made possible
Eighty acres of land has already
been secured by them, and am as
sured plans are now being prepared,
and the contract will be let during the
current month for two of the buildings
designed as the home of this institu-
ton.
During the year certain capitalists
were found oesirous OF opening a
wholesale notion house. Inducements
were held out in the way of support
upon the part of local retail mer-
chants, a portion of the capital re-
quired was furnished by our citizens,
and this enterprise secured for Grand
Forks.
During the winter months largely
attended convention vas held for the
purpose of finding ways and means
for the drainage of the lands of the
Red river valley. AS result of this
convention drainage league was or
gained and is now actively engaged
perfecting feasible plan for this
purpose. Many difficulties are being
encountered. and being work of such
great magnitude, much time will ne
cessarily be required in accomplish
ing results. but we fe. that in this we
have projected an undertaking of i'm
mense importance to the people of this
entire valley"
President Lander tIen went on and
outlined other accomplishments of the
year and other necessities of the city
which engage the attention of the club.
One of the most important of these
was re-paving. Said the speaker:
On Paving.
"a public work that can be but lit
tie longer delayed Is that of repaving
the down town district. and the extern
sion of paving into residence districts
anxious for it. was during the early
winter agitated by the club resulting
in the appointment of joint commit
tee of the club and the city council to
investigate the needs in this respect,
to compile information and data with
respect to the most desirable material
to be used. its method of laying, cost,
etc., as well as the preparation of the
streets in the way of requiring prop
erty owners to make proper connec-
tions of the curb line of all water.
sewer and gas mains. and If necessary
the relaying of new water main on
Third street to the end that when a
new paving is laid 1t shall be undis-
turbed for years. This committee has
already joined in request and re-
commentator to the council for the
inauguration of this work and is at
work upon other features with which
1t is charged"
The question of milk inspection was
taken up in its turn. also the hospital
needs of the city. Mr.. Lander in the
course Of his remarks paid A. L.
Woods. the present secretary of the
club, a well earned compliment, also
giving due credit to his predecessor.
Don v. Moore.
The subject advertising the city"
also came in for discussion. Mr.. Lam
der stated that the publicity commit
tee had done some inexpensive adver-
tising of the city BY means Of news Z
paper clippings and by other means.
He believed that the time was now
ripe for pursuing the work in more
pretentious manner.
Rates PrsAiSitive.
On the question OF railroad rates as
affecting the trade and growth of the
city Mr.. Lander said:
THE railroad situation here is most
critical. Our jobberE and wholesale
dealers are practically excluded from
participation in Montana trade. Our
natural trade development is west
ward. yet under the present railroad
tariff schedules our interest discrim-
mated against to the advantage Of the