The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-04-06


half miles of street railway, public
schools, colleges, churches. etc.
i Returning to the hotel the business
like man with much interest inquired
of the clerk where the Office of the
secretary of the commercial club
was located. Ignorant of such ar
Office the clerk by referring to the
directory. discovered Offices were
maintained in the court house, tC
which building the stranger repaired
He made a thorough examination oil
the first floor without locating the
desired quarters. He discovered
however, a room which he afterward
learned was maintained by the
county, in which he found apparent
ly absorbed in important business a
gentleman. tall and slender, features
sharp, hair somewhat elongated and
on his aquiline nose rested a pair OF
glasses, TO which was attached a
long gold chain, who informed him
the commercial club rooms were in
the basement of the building.
Passing out the west door the
stranger turned to the north then to
the east, opened door and after a
careful inspection of the interior
was politely but firmly informed in a
feminine voice which had taken re.
fuge behind screen that that was
no place for gentleman. He imme.
diately retreated and in his fight
ran into an old gentleman running a
popcorn stand nearby. Making his
wants known the old gentleman
closed his place Of business personal
ly conducted the stranger to the OBJ.
scure rooms, the entrance to which
sent chill over both of them. No
one was there, The popcorn man
taking the phone. called up the sec.
rotary and was informed court was
in session and it would be impossible
for him to entertain anyone at that
time, nor was he able to fix time
certain when he would be at liberty.
! The secretary, however, directed the
stranger to one of the prominent bust.
ness men of the city, who was quick
ly found and after a Standardization
the stranger inquired
Are you a member of the CONNER.
cial club?'
Yes, indeed" replied the citizen,
Il have been a member ever since
its organization. have been on most
of its committees. attended it's meet
ings and we have accomplished much
with the odds that are against us!
Last year in this city of ten thousand
population we had only a member
ship of fifty-five and with the nine
thousand nine hunLred and forty.five
people outside of the organization we
located and established button fac.
tory, whose weekly pay roll now
amounts to practically $500 a week.
We have gone over several PROPOSE
lions, submitted most of them want
ing bonuses. | believe a commercial
club should absolutely discontinue
the giving of bonuses. believe a
commercial club should absolutely
discontinue the giving of bonuses in
the sense cities are being exploited
Strong executive boards should be
selected by the boards. its members
should be men who have demonstrat.
ed their business ability by sue
cessful business of their own; broad
minded, big-hearted. unselfish and
men who can say yes with their
time, money and influence to a pro-
position lettering the community as
a whole, even though in competition
with some other business in the city. |
What is your membership fee and
do you have paid secretary" asked
the stranger.
Five dollars is the fee for fulfil
membership and two dollars and
fifty cents for an associated member
ship. The secretary we pay three
hundred dollars year." replied the
citizen with blush of shame, which |
the stranger was keen to see.
81 want to congratulate you" re.
piled the stranger, for what the Lit. |
tie band of ia hfIl have accomplish.
ed in view Of the scattering informa
ton given me and what ! have seen
of your city. The majority of your
pNSp'S oiN u gibS W otlp uuueE tue
canvass and not pay any of the gate
receipts, and for this reason you are
to attempt diamond
business on peanut basis"
When ! saw the rooms occupied
by your city administration and the
site the city owns, on which can be
erected city hall worthy of the
! wondered whether an
of the law would not
permit valid ordinance to be draft.
ed and passed whereby one floor of
he city hall could be built, furnish.
I'd and forever set aside for the uses
Of the commercial club, and in the
ordinance provide for the payment of /,
sufficient salary to competent /
person to look after the commercial {
Welfare of the city. the whole ex.
,ense to realize by tax the same as
'ther revenues of the city and which Is
would make every tax payer an &C. q
i've member with all the privileges, 4
# the club. You see, YOU people are .
rying to do business too cheaply." /
That Is true" said the citizen, q
the few men who have carried the I
urden. given literally of their time /
4 f..ft. \ :