The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-03-18
COMMISSIONERS
commissioners Ness Gave a Report of
Things That Have Been Done
By Commercial Committee.

By Commercial Committee.
At the Boosters banquet Thurs
day evening Commissioner Ness oc-
cupied an important part on the pro-
gram when he set forth in a very
succinct manner many of the things
that had been accomplished. That the
people in general might be made
aware Of what the committee has
been doing we give the statement of
MI. Ness in full, and it makes very
interesting reading:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen:
AS secretary of your Commercial
Committee, l am called upon for a
report pertaining to the efforts of
your Booster Committee, past and
present. and while on my feet l will
attempt, briefly, to offer a few sug-
gestions as to the future of this or
%ganization.
About three months ago, or to be
more accurate, OF Nov. 18th, last,
luC OuoAAOSo A1CA " Ju1S CllN WcI6
called together at the rooms of the
Mitchell Club to enjoy a smoker and
for the purpose Of discussing quest
ions relative to the advancement and
growth of our city. The result of
that gathering, like others of sim
liar nature, was very beneficial to
our business element, and to the
resolution adopted to the effect that
such meetigs should be held quarter
ly, response is recognized in the very
substantial and highly satisfactory
attendance at this banquet, which 1
e will not only be made
d annual affair, but, as soon
as possible will develop into
monthly, OF at least quarterly
meetings around the banquet board.
1 At the meeting referred to, it be-
came my duty or more accurately
Speaking, my pleasure, to give an &C
coant of what had been accomplished
by the Commercial Committee prior
to that date, and since it's organiza-
ton, covering a period of about one
year and a half. If my memory
serves me correctly, 1 was able to
show, hat during this comparatively
short time, through the efforts Of
your committee, Mitchell had secured
at the hands of the Milwaukee rail-
road company, a reimbursement of dis
criminatory freight rates from this
| city to points west of the Missouri
/ river, readjustment and the publica-
ton of commodity rates from the
east and south into Mitchell, the
duplication of distributing rates to
#all points on the Milwaukee line
within the state of South Dakota.
sConstruction of enlarged and improv-
led terminal facilities, including one
5of the most modern freight depots
aon the system. I also announced that
searlier in the year we had been able
Ito gain the a and attention of the
8sameT company concerning our needs
lin the matter of a new passenger sta
Stion, more than that, we received di-
erect assurance from End vice presi-
xdent McKenna to the effect that
awork on the new station would COM
Hmence some time during the month
fof October following.
Next morning after the meeting in
question, one of your most promin-
lent citizens suggested to me that he
lwouldn't believe any statement from
the Milwaukee people concerning
that passenger station until he saw
bodybuilding with the roof on it.
PERSONALLY I never doubted the
lncerity of their promise, nor their
ABILITY to make good, and while we
iflave not a roof on that building to-
/ ny, we have a foundation that aug
rsNWell for the balance of the struct-
re. VII you can show me a city the
lie Of Mitchell, or any other size
or that matter, that a received
Greater concessions in proportion.
from its transportation lines, during
the same length of time, and direct
" in response to the request of the
people. 1 can show you 100 that have
freceived no hearing at all. AS a citi-
zen Of Mitchell do you appreciate
this fact, or do you merely pass it
up with the comment that these
things had to come anyway and the
Commercial Committee couldn't have
stopped them?
Reference was also made at the
same meeting to the organization of
q Brick Company and the establish
ment Of an u%p-to-date plant, second