The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-09-17
HOW TOWNS
ARE MADE
Oklahoma Man Advises Through
Organization and a Wise
Secretary

prints tho following from i's Fort
WORTH correspondent. II is wisdom
and should bo needed by the cities
Of the great Panhandle:
II. @. spaldIns Of the Ardmore,
Ok, Commercial Club, delivered the
following lecture on Town Build
ing before the delegates to the con-
Yentlou of Commercial Secretaries
here:
1.-The theory that a community re-
Quires much the same sort OF atten-
ton, both in its business transae-
lions and It's promotion. as docs a
private concern is now generally
recognized principle. Successful
town building can only be accom-
plished by organized effort. Pat
riotism, OF more properly civic pride
should be 80 developed that indivld-
uals will forget their own selfish
ends and work together for tho COM
mon good. Self interest Is the
greatest obstacle to overcome in the
building OF cities and Is only routed
when Overwhelming odds arc pltted
against il. A properly organized and
supported commercial organization
under intelligent direction. is the on
ly means OF accomplishing this end.
Its field Is an extensive one, proper
ly embracing matters OF civic, com
merclal and industrial nature. Moth
ing that effects the general welfare
OF hte community is outside 1t sphere.
II must be prepared 10 be the arbi-
traitor OF all differences at home and
the defender and advocator OF the
city's interest abroad. The most sub
stantial OF the younger cities OF the
Southwest today have followed out
this principle in their building.
THE secretary is usually the CEN
trail figure In every commercial or
ganlEation and II is TO him that the
people look largely for the results
10 be obtained.
Qualifications for Secretary.
"Flrst OF all, the secretary must
be man OF strong character. The
welfare OF his city must always be
uppermost In his mind. II any body
OF citizens or strong corporation
adopts a policy or foists a scheme up
on the public which is sure to be
detrimental to It's interests. the sec
rotary must have the power TO at
tack Il. His personal interest must be
laid aside. II his most liberal con-
tributor engages In q systematic rob-
berry of the people or attempts TO
wreck or cripple some interest which
Is OF present or prospective advantage
to the city, there must be no hesl'
tation In the course to be pursued,
II the special interest fights back II
WIN almost invariably work to the
interest of the organization, as It
will attract the support OF citizens
who have hitherto quietly looked on,
No subscriber should ever be allow
ed to think that his monthly contri-
button will make him Immune when
matters affecting his business arise,
But to bring about this condition
two features OF club management are
essential. The revenue OF the
club must be sufficient to pay a
good salary, all necessary Xenense,
and allow good surplus each month
for publicity work One dollar a
month dues will never produce enoug
10 enable club 20 accomplish any
definite good. A certain share OF the
citizens OF every community are cap
able OF giving several times that
amount A graduated scale accord
Ing torthe wealth and patriotism OF
the people must be adopted. Two
thirds OF the revenue at least should
be raised from the subscribers pay
ing Over 81 and the remainder from
small shop keepers and professional
people at 81. The other essential
Is that the secretary shall not be
burdened with the work OF sustain-
ing the list or the collection OF the
dues. No man who is capable of
filling the position can afford to
sacrifice his prestige to time in such
work, II the people can DO made 10
feel that the support OF the club Is
an obligation and not a debt, It's
maintenance becomes comparative.
ly simple matter.
versatility and adaptability are
prime requisites in the makeup OF
the secretary. He must be able 10
grasp and absorb a wide variety OF
details and to adapt himself readily
10 all sorts Of situations In enter.
ing upon hsi duties in strange city
he should make a careful study OF
iss varied resources and compile the
statistics and Information so obtain
cd for the use OF himself and his