The San Francisco call., 1910-12-10
CONVENTION LEAGUE DRAWS
A HALF MILLION VISITORS
Phenomenal Work Accomplished by the Organiza-
= ton Within Two Years and Great Program
Mapped Out for the Future
By c. P. ADAMS

The securing of these reduced rates en-
ables it not only to bring the conven-
tions here. but it enables thousands of
other persons to come at practically
any time of the year.
People who are in no way connected
with the conventions are induced by
the low rates to come here for the
purpose of investment or to make their
homes In California
HALF RATES SECURED
For the national educational con-
vention of July. 1911. the league has
secured a maximum rate of $3.50 or
nearly half the usual rate, for the
round trip 10 San Francisco from all
points west of Chicago and proportion
ate reductions for points further east.
Judging by the previous conventions
OF the National educational association
at Denver and Boston this rate will
bring at least $4,000 people to San
Francisco.
Securing the cooperation of hotel
and restaurant keepers to keep down
rates has been a very important part
Of the leagues work. It has been the
aim Of the league not only to prevent
extortionate prices from being asked
but but to make the delegates guests of
the city, in the truest sense of the
word. by reducing as far as possible
the rates during their stay.
Providing for balls, headquarters,
sightseeing trips, publicity and print
ing are matters which also require the
constant attention of the league and
contribute greatly to the success of
conventions held here.
MONEY REQUIRED
To bring conventions to San Fran
cisco requires money. This is provided
by the members. The membership is
divided into 10 classes and the dues
or subscriptions are based on the as
sessment needed for each $1,000 re-
quired.
For members belonging to the first
class the assessment is SIS per thou
sand. For members belonging to the
tenth class the rate is so cents per
thousand. In each class a maximum
rate is fixed for the year. BY this
method ii is sought to apportion the
burdens in proportion to the probable
profits and at the same time protect the
public spirited citizen from being con-
tinually called on for the payment of
assessments.
No dues are collected except for the
purpose of fulfilling some pledge to
some convention or for the purpose of
securing some convention.
SUCCESS WONDERFUL
the success or the league Tor the
small amount of money expended has
been wonderful. Since January 3, 1910,
the league has expended to date $5,251
AS result of this expenditure it has
secured for San Francisco 80 conven-
tions and is now working for three
others. The conventions secured have
brought or will bring to San Francisco
half million persons.
Professor Barr, a specialist on such
matters, estimates that every visiting
delegate or tourist expends an average
of $50 in the city where a convention
is held. This would mean an expen-
diture in San Francisco within two
years as a direct result of the con-
ventions secured by the convention
league Of $15,000,0O0.
The circulation of so much money
among the businessmen and merchants
is bound to have an appreciable effect
on the financial pulse of the whole
community.
OFFICERS OF THE LEAGUE
The officers of the San Francisco
convention league are Kirk Harris,
president: w 3. Pringle, first vice
president William L Gerstle, second
vice president; FELTON, Taylor, execu-
tive secretary. The board of directors
consists of J. D. Grant Charles S. Fee,
H II. Sherwood, Robert S. Atkins. w.
H Leahy, G. X. Vending. ]. A. Hieroni-
mus, J. a. Stultz, F. Patek. Max Rosen-
field. J. w. McEvers. f. H. Meyer.
Charles NJ. Elliott, w. B. Pringle, T.
Carey Friedlander. ThornwelI Mutually,
Kirk Harris. Rolla V. Watts Robert
Roos and Paul T. Carroll.