The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-09
COMMERCE BOARD
MEMBERS FROL|C
Much Amusement and Dash of Seri'
casness in Three Fits and
Spasm" at Smoker.

the wayne GaTuens. wednesday eNSh7
ing, was the largest and most en-
thusiastic gathering OF the sort ever
held by that body. More than 1000
members sat down to the beefsteak
dinner, and 200 more were admitted
later TO witness the three fits and
spasm" that followed.
The first ut was taken up with the
serious talks of the evening. Presi-
dent Abner T.. Larned called the
meeting TO order. being greeted with
song composed for the occasion,
What's the Matter with Larncd?
Mr.. Larned introduced the new sec
rotary. Lucius +. Wilson, who said
in part: Cities are built where men
want them. They have always been
constructed where men of construc-
tive thought determined that they
should be.
1.-THE concentration OF the automo-
bile industry in Detroit was in the
beginning based on no supply or raw
materials, not even a superabundance
of compressed air for tires. The story
of Detroit,s growth Is remarkable
showing and Is largely. undersigned,
because IL came easily here, while
other cities have fought hard and
lavished money unstintingly to en-
courage a lesser growth.
"In 1920 Detroit will have a
population of $4,000. To these she
must give sewers and water and light
and schools and parks and play
grounds. The wise city Is the one
that anticipates future needs; that
buys public grounds while the land
Is still low-priced; that builds during
slack times rather than waiting un-
til necessity compels tardy action at
any cost.
There will come to Detroit In the
next decade. the character OF men
whom you as business men create the
attraction for.
Tho possibilities OF the future
growth of Detroit tax the magma
ton. In the midst OF such growth
there must be a central guiding or
ganization, such as this Board OF
Commerce. The Board Of Commerce
will stand for that larger view of the
relations between business and the
public which alone will insure safety
to the mass and a square deal to the
individual"
Following Mr.. Wilson, Hugh
Chalmers spoke on Reasons Why.
Mr.. Chalmers, as chairman OF the
new membership committee which
launched it's campaign last night
made strong appeal for 1000 mem=
bers by March 1.
While the committee captains
were passing around membership
cards to the unconverted present.
Burns Henry made plea for an en-
ergetic campaign to secure the Lake
Shore drive and Boulevard now avail
able from Waterworks Park to Crosse
Pointe Farms.
The fun began with the second fit.
which was a personally conducted
trip TO Belle Isle on the Steamer Wal
ter 4. Campbell The points Of in
terest and beauty along the way were
humorously explained for the audi
ence by "Spieler" Charles T. Scher-
merhorn.
The third fit was the unctuous
unwilling of the Jip Scott monument
and fountain.
Well-known public character imper-
sonated by Detroit business men sat
in the speakers stand and went
through the formalities OF unveiling
the fountain. The ceremony opened
with Introductory remarks by Mayor
Twilliam b. Wompson, impersonated
by DR.. Russell G., Pearce. Vaudeville
stunts were introduced by Guy B.
Cady as a Gentleman from Verona
and Leonard r. Carley as the Scotch
representative.
fnn nf he q
tinguished donor of the fountain by
A. II. Grippit, an art hanger-on, by
William A. Blodgett, after which
Mayor Wompson presented the foun-
tain to Detroit. II was accepted on
behalf of the white citizens by Will
lam Tut Tutman, president OF the
council, the part being taken in fine
style by Aldrich Baxter. George w.
Clark as Walker It. Bushington fol-
lowed with an acceptance on behalf
Of the colored citizens, and Fred Guen-
Their as Aid. Sphinx did th ehonors for
German citizens. The "grilling" was
all funny, but without any sting. and
the men caricatured laughed loudest
at their representations on the stage.
The strings which "unctuously UNI
yelled" the statue were pulled by little
Pussy Pontchartrain attired in a
flaming red hobble skirt and vigor-
ously chewing a wad OF gum. The
dainty little lady was Sergt. AL. Hicks.
The ceremony was concluded with
a few remarks in true Jim" Scott
STYLE by the statue himself, the statue
being Leonard Ames.
The stage management was under
the direction OF DR.. Russell G.. Pearce.
About so new members were added
TO the Board OF Commerce rolls dur
ing the evening. The applications
will be formally acted on later.