The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-04-17
COMMERCIAL CLUB IS ACTIVE IN
CITY'S BEHALF; PROJECTS PUSHED
To FORE BY MEMBERS Of BODY
SEVERAL CONVENTIONS ARE SIGHTED
THE TUBERCULO SIS EXHIBIT.
Financial Condition of Business Mems Organization
Discussed; Chautauqua Encouraged Have
Chance to Make Money Now.

The Mankato Commercial club had a
good margin beyond quorum at last
evenings regular meeting, and trans
acted considerable business, although a
damper was put upon the meeting by
a report as to the finances. STILL the
spirits of the members were not to be
depressed long, and arose triumphant
above financial weakness.
Secretary Gary was present, and said
where it was at. He had checked up,
and found that the Indebtedness is
about $780, with only ninety-two
fully paid members. He thought that
others would pay, when seem He would
do the best that he could to help the
club, whether he got any salary or
not, but hoped to have remuneration
for his work The office records and
correspondence would be open to all
members of the club at all times. 1t
would no longer have rent to pay, or
bills for fuel, light, etc. He would
like to have all the members mail
their checks for the coming years
membership fee.
Allan Jackson moved that n special
committee be appointed to solicit the
amount due the incubator factory,
which amount is one of the deficien
cies. The amount had been promised,
and the factory is entitled to it. 1t
is something over 5000. The motion
was carried.
President Nyquist said that all
should help the club to square its
accounts. He was giving most of his
time to the club without remunera-
tion. -
Surprised at the Debt.
George NJ Palmer said that he was
much surprised at the debt. 1t was
enough to crush out the life and spirit
of the organization. The club should
paw its bills first and get the respect
of the community and hold up its
head. If members were in arrears
they should he gone after. He had
paid S25 last year as sustaining
member, aside from his $40 member
ship fee If the club was to be main
tanned, the members must 90 into
their pockets 1t is a club of business
and professional men, but it was not
businesslike or professional to 90 into
debt. He asked who the bills were
owed to.
Mr.. Gary replied that there are
about $500 in divers bills, besides sew
eral hundred dollars back on Secretary
Spencer's salary, and $40 on the stem
oerapher's salary. No one had been
solicited for this years membership,
but he had received the fees from
twelve new members.
DIR. A. F. Schmitt told what had
been done by the hospital soliciting
committee up to date. 1t had been
decided not to announce the exact
amount secured, but it was between
$1,000 and $1,000, and only twenty-five
or thirty men had been seen, which
was very small per cent of those
who were to be seen.
His Heart Failed Him.
DIR. j. A. Hielscher spoke OF the
coming tuberculosis exhibit, and said
that the expense was estimated at
500. and the city council had appro-
priated $50, and the physicians S25,
and he had intended to ask the club
for s25. but had not the heart to
do so after hearing its financial re-
mort. but he did ask it to give It's
moral support. 1t had been prac-
iicallv decided to have the exhibit in
the store room in j. X. Brandrups
building where H. +. Hance's store is,
and the lectures would be given else
where.
DIR. G. r. Curran supplemented what
d. Hielscher had said by remarking
that the present death rate from tu-
berculosis is only half what 1T was
fifty years ago, because 1T Is known
how to combat the disease. III was
a losing proposition for the doctors 10
instruct the people how to avoid the
disease, but they were willing to &c
Club Makes Appropriation.
Mr.. Palmer said that this was a
matter that all We're interested IN
and the club could not lay down and
do nothing, even if it was badly in
debt He moved that $25 be appropri-
ated to assist in paying the expenses
This was carried.
DIR. Hielscher said that the expense
had been estimated high, and it might
not exceed $75, in which case the club
would not be called upon for anything
III. L. Schmitt moved that a com
mittee of five be appointed to audit
the accounts of the club and formulate
plan of having monthly financial re.
ports, so that the club would always
know just how it stood This was
carried and the chair appointed Mr.