The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-01-29

Treasurer-E. L. Flaten, bank
Over 100 members of the COM
mercial club of Moorhead participated
in the annual meeting and dinner, at
the Comstock hotel, last night. Up
to the time of the election of new Of
f1cers, which according to the con-
%stitution is made a special order of
business on the fourth Tuesday in
January at 8 p. m, the proceedings
were presided over by L, A. Huntoon
the president of the club, who was re-
firing after serving three terms-if
he had allowed it there is no question
but that he would have been re-elect-
ed for a fourth term.
Immediately on the assembling Of
the guests and members of the club
the president stated that there were
ten applications of new members to
be acted upon and according to the
usual formality the following, accord
ing to the list submitted by Secretary
Wright, were duly elected members
of the club: Louis Frimanslund, Ed.
F. Smith, d. w. Meeker, H. F. Muel-
Ter, DR.. G. L. Gosslee, J. A. Berg, e.
L. Lowe, c. E. Brown, j. S. Erick-
son, VIM. NJ. Humphrey and G. b.
Burt for transfer Of membership of
A. J.. Keeling, manager of the Hen
nepin Brewing Co. Those elected
were included among those at the
dinner.
The dinner, a plain and wholesome
one in six courses was splendidly pre-
| pared and served according to the
high standard established by Manager
Mahoney.
After the passing of cigars Presi-
dent Huntoon, without notes briefly
| reviewed the work of the club dur
ing the past year, that the report of
the secretary would show a paid up
membership of 142 members. Con-
Guiding Mr.. Huntoon said he for one
was proud over the good work
which had been done for the city
under the auspices of the city since
it was organized at the suggestion of
e. j. WHEELER and John NJ. Dahlby in
1905. AS far as he was concerned Mr..
Huntoon said hat he deemed it a
greater honor than anything else
which could be offered, to be elected
| president of the commercial club. 1t
has been frequently suggested that
there ought to be a Mems Civic club
in the City-what better civic club
could there be than a we'll organized
commercial club like the one of the
city of Moorhead? ALI the good things
for the city, backed by the club have
gene through and undertakings which
were not considered practical by the
club fell by the wayside. He ,cod.
| sidered this commercial club a Mems
Civic club in its broadcast sense and
one firmly united. He referred to the
matter of the move towards supplying
the city with pure water. He desir-
ed that the matter be thoroughly dis
cussed by the club and people given
the fullest information of all the facts
and tests, before being submitted.
Mr.. Huntoon earnestly asked that his
name be not considered for the presi-
dency again, he had served three
terms and it was imperative that he
have a rest.
Before calling on the speaker of the
evening Mr.. Huntoon said that Oscar
Martinson, the we'll known and
popular baritone, had kindly con
scented to contribute one or two vocal
selections. Mr.. Martinson, who was
ably accompanied by Miss Lillian
Wright on the piano first sang, In the
Dark, and for recalls the singer made
q decided hit with splendid renditions
of The Bandelare and Love is a Bub-
| BILE.
The principal address of the evening
was made by S. G. Comstock who ex-
haustiVely discussed certain phases
of the finances of the city and sounded
some very plain notes of warning. He
urged a conservation of for
there was no knowing what might
happen. There was a possibility Of
the initiative and referendum be-
coming a law in Minnesota and what
would that mean to a great many
cities like Moorhead. He urged that
all departments of the city emulate
the policy of the water and light COM
missionary as o go. Don't invest
in all sorts of big improvements until
there are ean to pay for them. He
gave facts and figures as to the re-
sources and indebtedness and cited
that the $4,000 bonded Indebtedness
| against the city was an illustration of
the mistakes which had been made in
the past. By the time the bonds are
paid the interest which the taxpayers
Of the city have paid will have
amounted to more than the principal.
He paid a very high tribute to the
water and light commission and the
great work 1T has done for the city.
Before spending money it accumulated
it to spend which was good and safe
business.
The hour of 9 o'clock having ar
rived President Huntoon said it de-
volved Upon him, according to the con-
stitution of the club to call then and
there the election of officers for the
ensuing year. He cited the rules for
election, that it be by ballot and that
there were to be no nominations or
nominating speeches made. MEM
bers will please prepare your ballots
for the election Of president of the
club for the ensuing year, the first
ballot to be an informal one"
The informal ballot gave plain in
dications that the choice for president
was B. F. Mackall, the pioneer drug
gist of the city.
On motion of George e. PerIey the
informal ballot vas made formal by
unanimous consent and President
Huntoon declared Vice President
Mackan president of the club for the
ensuing a.
Acknowledging his election as presi-
dent Mr.. Mackell said, II thank you
sincerely for the honor you have con-
ferred upon me and I mean what
say. / don't know of n honor to be
conferred in this city greater than
this, / am proud of the club and I am
proud Of those who are associated
with me in the club. ! want to say
that as far as my ability goes it will
always be at the disposal of the
club"
Here Mr.. Comstock took Mr..
Mackall by the arm and ~escorting
him to the chair said, president
Mackall please assume your duties
and despite his request that MI. Hun
I toon continue to finish the business