The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-31

A first class hotel for Moorhead, of
| fre-proof construction and not less
than fifty rooms was the subject prfn-
cipally discussed at the annual meet
ing and dinner of the commercial club
of Moorhead last night. There were
varying opinions as to the cost OF
the hotel desired for Moorhead and the
figures ranged from $4,000 to $l0O'OO0'
not including the site.
After a thorough discussion Of the
various phases of the proposition the
several speakers being unit, that
first class hotel was desirable, and that
it was absolutely necessary for the best
interests of Moorhead President Hun
toon, on motion Of r. w. Richards, was
authorized to appoint committee OF
seven members of the club identihed
with the large interests of the city TO
devise ways and means for the secur-
ing of first class hotel for Moorhead.
The annual meeting of the club fol-
lowed a splendid supper which was
partaken of from small tables at which
congenial parties discussed the menu
amid agreeable chatting over things in
general. 1t was presided over by L. A.
Huntoon, the president of the club and
he followed the order Of business i'm
plicitly. The annual reports of the sec
rotary and treasurer were very encour-
aging the only Indebtedness is in cur
rent bills which are small and the bal
ance in hands of the treasurer is very
close to $4,000. Four new members
elected were, Julius AslSe, j. II. Free
man, L. r. Moe and John G. Vincent.
AS a committee Of one, appointed to
obtain actual figures at which avail
able sites for the contemplated hotel
structure S. G.. Comstock verbally stat
ed that the site on which the old Col
umbia formerly stood could be pur-
chased front he owner, John Erickson,
for about $4,000 This site is 75x15O
feet and the price would include the
standing walls of the old Columbia
Mr.. Comstock further stated that Mr..
Erickson wished to retain portion of
this site on which he intended erecting
a brick building to rent. The two other
sites, equally desirable, were directly
across from this and the one cornering
across, on which Mr.. Comstock has his
office. Either of these could be pur
chased for $4,000.
Starting the hotel proposition ball
rolling President Huntoon said that,
today, the thing most needed in Moor
head was a first class and attractive
hotel property, probably one with
capacity of fifty rooms. He thought
the prices quoted for sites were very
reasonable and he believed the bust
ness men of the city would quickly
subscribe and pay the amount re-
uuired to buy a site of they were
III. u TO-
be erected. The desirability for the
enterprise was beyond question and
the necessity was along the same lines.
The institution he represented would
do it's share to push the good thing
along.
City Attorney Witherow said he had
looked into the furnishing of the city
with hotel very carefully and he had
sounded a good many people on the
proposition. He believed that the no.
tel proposition in Moorhead was the
best prospective investment he knew
of in this part of the country. One
thing he did urge, and the hotel Moor
head desires to secure must be placed
under absolutely competent manage
ment-no cheap man will make sue
cess of the kind of a hotel which the
commercial interests of Moorhead de-
mand. and must have il the city is to
maintain anything like a business su-
premacy and command the patronage
the city should have and to which 1t
is absolutely entitled. Moorhead has
the opportunity to advertise to the
world that within her gates she has
the only fire. proof hotel building in
the renowned Red river valley.
Remarks and practical suggestions
were made by George E. Perley. Presi-
dent Weld of the state normal school,
Leslie Welter, Alderman Peterson, B.
f. MackaIl, A. J. Fridlund, Fred john
son, M Simonitsch, President Lamb Of
the Moorhead National bank and
others. The talks of Messrs. Fridlund
and Johnson, both contractors in build
ing lines were along practical lines and
experiences.
Under the bylaws the time had
arrived for the election of officers for
the ensuing year and that was pro-
ceeded with.