The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-01-23
COMM ERCiAL CLUBS

Is there a commercial clubs? Recent
events would point to the fact that in some locat
les there is considerable smoke, and in a few in
stances some fire has broken out. In own Lo
gan rnmor has been afoat to the effect that
movement is soon to be launched for the organza
ton Of a Chamber of Commerce, representative Of
the purely business interests of the community,
and running contemporaneous with this statement
is the recent development that men Of prominence
in the community, some in official life, opposed
to the commercial club idea and that certain Of
fetal has made the statement that he would break
up the commercial club
In the city of Ogden the air seems to be charg-
ed more less with discomfort. Here CONNER
cal club and chamber Of commerce operated for
many years. The present stir is caused by some
remarks made by the president Of the Weber club
at the recent annual meeting President Rowe said:
Il might even go far to say that this
club is really the city of Ogden What the
want who have money invested in this city they
should have. There are the men who pay the
taxes. We should strive to make Ogden a labor
center sgain, for the workngman's patronage is
as essential to our prosperity the patronage
from any other source"
To this statement the Rev Mr.. Rassweiler
makes vigorous protest and takes strong exception.
His line of argument puts President Rowe in the
category Of catering to what is termed the money
ed class, limits business to the moneyed class
only anu apparently leaves the aborer with his
own home outside the pale Of the men who pay
the taxes" as voiced by President Rowe Mr. Rass-
weie- says:
Now, as have only recently made my resi-
dence in this city naturally curious whether
this is the policy of the city of Ogden
is 1t true that only moneyed men should be
consulted to city government, and that
thcy should have whatever they want? Is 1t true
that the masses have nothing to say? If, for in
hno R,d t,h1
duct late at night institutions that make travel
ing on the streets unsafe. is it true that the com.
mon pedestrian has no right t. be heard? If
business wants to do that which will ruin the
youth Of the city, is it true that the parents
among the common people have nothing to say?
us 1t even true that the people who nom
nally ray the taxes really bear the tax burden?
Does Tot the landlord add it to the rent and the
merchant add it to his price, so that the consum-
and the renter having way to unload, bear
It themselves? Shouldn't they, then be the ones
TO have what they want also?
Are really going to succeed in drawing
to Ogden good class of workmen by declaring
I that only their employers to have anything
to say as to the running of the city?
Il do not, of course, know what these bust
I men might want. But as general PROPOSE
, tion, am wondering whether it is to be the pol
Icy &C. the city of Ogden to ignore the great mass
az the rest of us"
1t will be conceded that opposition in gen
! eral way is wholesome, in that 1t puts individuals
parties and organizations on their mette and tends
I TO bring out the best there is in such individuals
and organizations, but opposition should be for the
purpose of lettering conditions for building up and
I aUt tearing down Take own club for instance.
We have watched II since its organization and say
! without fear OF contradiction that 1t has been a
power for good in this community. II is represen
! tative of the best manhood Of the community the
business and the social life of the city. II is true
! that II may not be what some OF its membership
I would like, but II this membership is doing its du
! ty it is approaching that goal, else that member
ship is not doing its duty, or it's ideals have lost
I ont by the votes of overwhelming majority
! club is a powerful factor for good in com
! munitv, and It is to be regretted that men OF In
Huence should refuse to affiliate with It, and after
refusing to do so II is to be regretted that such
men should attempt to block its progress It wouit
I anrear TO be far more charitable for such to jolr
the club and use their advanced wisdom, their fore
| sight their light in correcting what they nigh
! think wrong and in turning on the light where
they think darkness prevails At least IT Is not II
I accordance with modern thought, and 1t certainly
Is not IN accordance with the spirit which has beer
! fostered in Utah from the beginning TO condemn
I 10 heltle and attempt to tear down that which
! We know not or and that OF which We do not form
I part
I This Ia not intended as objection on the par
I of businessmen to organize chamber OF commerce
II they desire. II business men desire to organize
and cooperate In various capacities that Is theii
concern and II Is time TO express opinions for and
I apainst after the motives and purposes are made
| known Generally speaking. however, Il Is better
J and the part of wisdom to build one large strong