The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-05-15
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
Cigar Makers are Heard In Their
Appeal for Home Made Goods.

Members of the Board of Directors
of the Oskaloosa Commercial Club
met special committee of the Oska-
1oosa cigar makers at special meet
ing held at the club rooms in the Bea-
die Block, Friday evening, for the
purpose of hearing what the cigar
men had to offer concerning the
boosting of Oskaloosa made goods To-
caily in the home territory.
w. r. Campfield, chairman, Earl
Runnells and Thomas w. Ware repre-
sented the cigar makers. Mr.. Camp
field as chairman addressed the direc-
tors present and laid the matter be-
fore them. The cause for complaint
on the part of the cigar men was
stated as the growing disregard for
the home product and the increase in
the amount of foreign made goods
handled in the city and consumed by
smokers. Mr.. Campfeld stated that
less than ten per cent of the cigars
smoked in Oskaloosa were made in
town.
Suppose" offered Mr.. Campfield,
that some factory comes before the
Commercial Club with a proposition
to employ forty men, at an average
wage of fifteen to twenty-five dollars
weekly pay. They ask the CONNER
cial Club for assistance in the way of
factory site and buildings, costing ten
thousand dollars or more. The cigar
makers, inside of thirty days, will put
the same number of men at work,
without q penny of cost to the city, if
the Commercial Club can, In some
way, bring about an increase in the
consumption of .Oskaloosa made Gig
ars by Oskaloosa smokers" 49,.
Don P. Mcclure was the first speak
er- for the Commercial club. He
wanted to know of Mr.. Campfield If
he did not think it was a poor policy
for him to come before the CONNER
cial club, asking for support for home
goods in his line when he as a men,
Der of the city council sent the tax
payers money out of town and turned
down home institutions when the
purchase of an auto fire truck was
considered? Mr.. Mcclure said he
was heartily in favor of promoting the
sale OF home made cigars and would
do all he could in the cause. but he
thought all lines represented in Os-
kaloosa were entitled to and should
have the same protection.
w. P. Cleaver, who has had wide
experience along the line of disposing
of home made article to the home
people, talked at some length and it
was his opinion that the committee
should take up the matter with the
Retail Merchants Association instead
of with the Commercial club. He
gave some timely suggestions, &C
knowledged the weight of argument
of the cigar makers side of the ques-
ton and in measure analysed the
attitude of the smoker,
President True asked Mr.. Camp
field what course of action he would
recommend in the premises and a few
other questions were put by some of
the directors. Mr.. Mcclure made a
motion that President True appoint
special committee of three or four
members of the board of directors to
make an investigation of the matter
and report. Mr.. True informed the
cigar makers committee that he
would use elaboration in naming the
committee, as he wished to think over
the, subject and that he would confer
with the cigar makers later ......
Many other matters claimed the at
tcntion of the Commercial club and
standing committees will be appoint
ed to look after various subjects.
Meantime the work of securing men,
berships to the club is to be pushed
Owing to the fact that Mr.. J. S.
Taylor is soon to leave the city, his
resignation as member of the Board
OF Directors of the Commercial club
was rendered at the meeting. 1t was
accepted with regret, as Mr.. Taylor,
for the past year, has been faithful
member of the executive body. Mr..
]. E. Mathews, local manager for the
HaWkeye Lumber Company, was
elected to succeed Mr., Taylor.