Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27

ing changed four years ago as a step
in broadening it's activities.
AS far back Of 1896 the need for
Dome such organization to protect
merchants from the evils of the cred
il system of retailing was felt and the
Merchants Mutual Protective associ-
alton was then formed. The Retail
Merchants association was organized
three years later and has been an
active factor in the community since
The custom OF having an annual hol-
iday known as merchants day was in
augurated and for some years outings
or excursions were held with great
success. In 1900 a rating book was
gotten out, the association being one
of the first in the state to take such
a step for the protection of its men,
bers from the dead beat" Several
other rating books have been gotten
out in the last decade, each one more
complete thai its predecessor. The Of
ficers are at work on another one now
and it promises to be even better pat
ronized and more complete than any
issued. George H. Kingsbury, always
an active member Of the organization
and for a number Of years its presi-
dent, has arranged to devote all his
time to the duties Of secretary, to
which Office he has just been elected.
Headquarters have been opened in
the Safety building, and greater efforts
than ever before will be made to keep
members in possession OF information
which will hold their losses from bad
accounts down to the minimum A
complete record will be kept showing
the attitude Of every permanent resi-
dent of the city and its vicinity to-
ward the payment of his honest debts,
as we'll as his ability to meet obliga-
lions.
A daily bulletin is circulated among
members in which are recorded all
county real estate transfers, mort
cages filed, assignments, claims for
lien, suits begun. judgments obtained,
probate court notes, garnishments,
bills of sale, schedules, etc., in the
COuI1 anu lhS JubllCC SOul &c
of the county. Giving premiums and
participating in Improbable adver.
Using schemes by members have been
discouraged and a steady influence for
the upbuilding and betterment of the
city has been exerted.
The present officers Of the associ
alton are:
President-H. A. Clevenstine.
Vice observation-disclosures s. Heagy.
Secretary-G. H. Kingsbury.
Treasurer-E. B. Kreis.
Directors-J. T. Marion, H. A
Schocker, w. S. McCombs, E. B
Stone, w. H. Thoms.
$4,000 CLUB.
Formed solely to unite those inter
ested in the welfare Of RI X Island
SO that they might work together fol
common purpose the Fifty Thousand
club is the youngest of the city's
! booster organizations. Its possibili
| ties for good are unlimited and, judg
ing from the impetus with which i
made its advent, it will accomplish
much. 1t was brought into being Ma!
8, 1912, at a meeting called by H. Z
! Casteel, president of the Rock island
club, in the rooms Of that organiza
ton. Need for some constructive
agency which would enable men OF al
classes and occupations to unite fol
the practical betterment Of the city
was pointed out by Mr.. Casteel and
others, and the result was a decision
to organize. One week later, at the
same place, formal action was taken
a name adopted and officers chosen.
The objects as set forth in the by
laws includes loyalty to home enter
prises, increase of population, i'm
provement and maintenance OF streets
Improvement of roads leading to the
city, extension of city limits, and pro
motion of Industrial development. The
officers Of the Fifty Thousand club
are:
President-H. E Casteel.
First Vice Presidential. 8. Gable
Second Vice President-C. ]. Lar
kin.
Secretary-Treasurer B. Kreis.
Directors-The foregoing and w
A. Rosenfield, B. d. Connolly, j. I
| Marion and w II. Thoms,