The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-15
BUSINESS men
OPEN CLUB TO-DAY.
Preliminary Meeting and Smoker
Held at Jefferson Last
Night.
HAPPY SPEECHES ARE MADE
;Organization-H Has Eour. Hundred
Members, and Success Seems
Assured.
HAPPY SPEECHES ARE MADE

Under circumstances so suspicious
as to Indicate the fullest measure OF
Interest and success the Business Mems
Club OF Richmond assembled at q
smoker at the Jefferson Hotel last
night, the occasion being preliminary
to the formal opening OF the club
rooms on the top floor or the Bank OF
Richmond Building this morning.
About 200 of tho 393 members We're
present at the smoker. which was given
in the auditorium OF the Jefferson. and
though the affair was entirely infor-
NAL number ofivery happy speeches
were made. .,
Colonel John s.. Harxood, chairman
of the executive committee. presided.
Brief addresses upon the value of the
new organization We're made by Presi-
dent a. C. Braxton. Mr.. William H.
White, president OF the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company; Mr.. r. S. Christian. presi-
dent of Post, A, T. P. a.; the Rev. DR..
T.. N. Calisch. and MIR. Polk Miller.
Music was furnished by Iardelle's Band,
and when the speeches We're over light
refreshments, consisting OF coffee.
sandwiches and pickles. were served.
The meeting was marked by good fell
ilowshp, and every one present seemed
to be determined to help make the new
club a success. ..s.....
Mr.. James r. Gordon. president Of the
Chamber of Commerce. and Mr.. John
SHELTON Williams We're among those in
that they were unnvoidably' detained by
other engagements.
Mr.. Drnxton Speaks.
Colonel Harwood called the meeting
to order about 8 o'clock, and after
foy sp1o a n f1,inrrS !,
ing the bright prospects OF the club.
which will be opened to-day. presented
President BraSton.. who spoke briefly
as to the objects Of the organization.
Mr.. Braxton declared that the move
was most important one and that
the new club was another evidence Of
the progress of Richmond. which Is
rapidly becoming metropolitan city.
He thought 1t would be Of great value
and benefit to the business people, and
that 1t would greatly enhance the OPP
5portuntles to keep Richmond's busi-
ness advantages before the world
Continuing. Mr.. Braxton said that in
the membership of nearly 400. all lines
of business We're represented. and he
predicted membership OF over a
thousand and the finest quarters
south Of Philadelphia within two
years. XII
President Christian. OF the Travel
ters's Protective Association, made the
speech Of IN typical business man. He
was gratified to see so many strong
men banded together to push the ma )
terial interests OF the city, and he
pledged the earnest corporation OF
his organization In all matters look
ing toGthe betterment or the interests
of the city. FLe spoke OF the wide
field In which the club might work
and said that with the aid of the
Chamber of Commerce and tile Tray
elers' Protective Association, 1t was
destined to accomplish much good.
Value Of Club life.
Mr.. William H. White pointed out
8..,e value of club life to tho business
man, and declared that 1t had come
to be an essential factor In the busl-
ness world. .,f
1.-THE Business Mans Club has come
into American life as an essential TEA.
ture." he went on.{.'and 1t cannot be
read out.
He said that home life in Richmond
people was on " higher plane than
anywhere else In tho world, and though
he commended this he thought busi-
ness men should spare an hour or two
"a daS at thair club. even though their
families he'd to lunch without them.
b nr, Cal lisch made n very happy
.r III q