Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-26
COMMERCIAL CLUB LID OFF
Eject Of Stormy Meeting wbsr Fxscutiv,
COMMITTEES Was RsPudiated.
INSIDE FACTS OF Thai CHICAGO HGsco
Details of How Anti-RooseveIt Menu
hers Of Club Come 90 ne sent
Are Finally Coming
TO BtRht.

Since the repudiation by the Commercial
club OF its executive committees action IN
passing resolutions against the s-ceut fare
bill. hundreds Of the members are learning
some things they didn't know before re-
garding the delegation sent 70 Chicago IN
1910 TO convention to discuss interstate
law and the regulations Of railroads
The details Of the matter have been
known TO all members OF the executive
committee and to many directors. but
hitherto they have not become the common
knowledge OF the general membership Of
the club. The unpleasantness regarding
z-cent fare has been the means OF spreading
the knowledge, by awakening in the club a
hveiy interest in the doings OF its execu-
tive committee.
II will be remembered that every man
who went to Chicago from the Commercial
club in October OF 1906, instead Of attend
ing the convention which was to endorse
President Roosevelts views of railway
rate regulation. as his constituency ex-
pected him TO do. helped organize a
rump convention, which had the opposite
END In view. These men, as shown by the
minutes Of the Federal Rate Regulation
association, In other words, the runp con-
vention- were: Euclid Martin. f. Colpet-
ger, W. NJ. Glass. G. L. Hammer and c. H
Pickens
How Their Choice was Made.
How these delegates were foisted ON the
club is just now being made universally
public.
Z. p. Bacon Of Milwaukee, who was re-
Rponsible for the calling OF the Interstate
Commerce Law convention to uphold the
presidents policy. invited the Commercial
club to send delegates The executive
committee had always been In the habit of
refusing Mr.. Bacon'H invitations and IT ala
not make this time the exception II de-
cided not TO send delegates
But soon came another invitation, which,
however, was not written. but spoken. The
railroads. fearing that the Chicago meet
Ing would result In danger TO them as
signed their literary bureau to the task of
organizing hostile delegations the purpose
being evidently to break up the meeting or
In some way turn the tide Of public senti-
ment against the presidents policy
Nelson Mcleod OF st. Louis who was
made chairman OF the rump convention Is
president of the National Lumber Dealers
association. He succeeded In interesting
some Omaha members Of this organization
Of which Frank Colpetzer is a member, In
the opposition idea. These men took vi
the matter with the transportation CON-
nlttee OF the commercial club.
About this time IL is said a ninion OF
the railroads came to Omaha with bis
pockets bulging with money, literally
speaking. He offered TO pay the expenses
Of as big a delegation as the Commercial,
club would send. provided it was hostile tC
the purposes of the Bacon convention.
Passes Then in Vogue.
II il not on record that the delegates
allowed him 10 pay their expenses, but a
that time passes had not gone out Of exist
ence.
appointed a delegation of FIVE, CONSISTING
principally of its own members
After the delegation had gone to Chicago
the appointments were presented TO the ex-
eeutiye committee for ratification. They
were ratified
It Is not now believed the executive com
mittee will resign on account Of the re
pudiation Saturday of its action though q
is said one OF two members may do so
Chairman VIII L. Yetter said he did mo-
anticipate the resignation Of his Committee
The result of the controversy Saturday
will be that the club membership will b,
called on Oftener for it's expression Of
opinion" said Mr.. Yetter ~ hope the az
fair win prove 10 be ISr the best Interests
OF the club, by Rrousing some of the mem
bers from their apathy on important sub
jects. II has always been very dificult Il
get an attendance Of members at any meet
ing. and the executive committee fro
quently has to take action II anything q
done at all"