Semi-weekly herald., 1914-05-21
OBSERVATIONS
BY THE WAY

Some very interesting discussions
took place at the different sessions
of the San Juan Congress last week.
At the closing gathering Friday night
the conversation drifted to Durango
as the center and hub of the district
and Judge Searcy and rM. Bruing-
ton reviewed the possibilities Of Du-
range and her ability to command the
situation and become the ideal in bust
ness and social matters. This brought
up the subject of the consolidation of
the Durango Social club and the Du-
range Board Of Trade. and the estab-
lishment of club that would do more
to the upbuilding of Durango than
any other one thing. Judge Searcy
reviewed the success of the Silverton
Commercial club since the consolida-
ton of the two organizations and
Mr.. Burlington told of the success of
the Aztec club which combined bust
ness and pleasure. The discussion
was participated in by Mesars Rit-
ter, Bradford, Raymond and others.
II was pointed out that Durango could
well afford to raise fund of $4,000
to $4,000 for the purpose of taking
over the Durango club and fitting up
ground floor headquarters. Some
such location as the late Nathan cloth
ing store would make an ideal place
II would require probably $4,000 for
additional furniture. The plan would
be to make the place open to visitors
of the surrounding country and es-
pecially from the outside. Durango
at present and in the past has been
lacking in welcoming people who come
on pleasure and business. The home
seeker and investor come to the city,
register at some hotel and then start
to see the city. After walking up
one side and down the other of the
main street they return to the hotel
without speaking word to soul
Even the hotel men are not prepared
to impart desired information With
ground location with inviting win
dows and the words "Welcome to
Strangers in the city--come in and
get acquainted and ascertain the re-
sources of the country, etc." hun
dreds, yes, probably thousand every
year would avail themselves of the
privileges and result in interesting the
stranger in the city and surrounding
country. Have on attractive display
of fruits in season and gsiierai prod
ucts of the soil with scenic views Of
farms and pleasure. resorts and the
result would work magicf -Fhe vis-
itor would at least>Sa- .l'shy and re
fer to Durango as eneerprising and
composed of sociable people. a sec
retary would be on duty at all times
to impart useful information.
"You do not know what a draw
ing card 1t would be for Durango"
said Mr.. Bruington. at would be
worth the money for your own resi-
dents and it would attract more peo-
pie from the San Juan Basin and
cause a better feeling to prevail. Ev-
cry night you have from six to twen-
ty-five or more San Juan Basin resi-
dents visiting your city. They come
and go without hardly any ona seeing
them. Getting tired sitting around
the hotels they are forced to go to
the saloons for recreation and amuse-
ment. With these visitors made well
come your citizens would become ac-
quainted with the people from the sur
rounding towns and you will be sur
prised ut the broadening spirit that
will prevail. When stranger or San
Juaner Aegisters at the hotel the
proprietor or clerk should have a
small cnrd to pass out telling the OBJ
jects Of the club and where to find it.
1t would be a wonderful trade de
veloper. Yes, It will cost some money
TO start with" continued Mr. Bru-
ington, "but It will bring five dollars
for avery one it costs
-
Judge Scarcy spoke at length along
the same lines. He said there would
BE- no trouble in trebbling the mem
1srship and keeping up interest as in