The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-10

To organize building and loan as
sociation which will give the man Of
moderate means chance to build his
home. will be one of the several big
undertakings the Commercial club
will take up during the year of 1914,
it was announced at the annual meet
ing OF the members last night.
S. E. Swayne, who retires after four
years as president to a dictatorship,
presented the new president, George
Seidel and later summed up his ad-
ministration's work and suggested the
clubs lines of activity for the coming
year.
-Four years ago I had my misgiv-
ings about taking the job Of president
because the secretary, Mr.. E. M.
Haas was retiring and the club had
no secretary" Mr.. Swayne said. But
we found man who has been real
power and the results of the work
show 1t. The members have given
cheerful and unselfish support to the
club and l hope they will continue to
do SO under Mr.. Seidel."
Club Has Reputation.
George Seidel the new president,
declared that during Mr. Swayne's ad
ministration, the club has become
known, not only through Indiana but
throughout the United States.
"Mr. Swayne has spent hours and
hours in the work and has put the
Commercial club before everything
else, even his private business" Mr..
Seidel said.
Because Of the length Of the reports
instead Of the chairmen of the COM
mittees reading them, Charles Jordan,
secretary, gave brief resume of each.
The directors and the members Of
the committee on homes have had be-
fore them plans to make easier the
building of homes by men of small
capital. This will now be one of the
live issues of the year and although
the establishment Of such company
may not be brought about within the
year, the project is expected to be
well developed soon.
Make Loans for Homes.
Such company would not limit
loans to fifty per cent of the value of
the property. but would be organized
with such liberal terms that it would
be possible for any steady working
man to own his home in a few years,
the members believe.
Retiring president Swayne was ask
ed to outline the things in which the
club will participate during the COM
ing year. A brief outline follows:
Moral support Of club to guest
house and the financial support of In
dlvidual members to project.
Keeping in touch with city and
county officials.
Civic improvement work and the
Identification of river bottom and va
cant city lots.
Active work in securing better
lighting system for streets.
Road improvement work and the
support Of the ocean to ocean high
way project
Improvement of Morton lake and
park.
More booster trips.
Active campaign for better taxing
Jaws.
Passage Of an act giving cities right
to choice Of municipal government
improvement OF city streets, parks,
alleys and sewers,
Campaign fc, J 900 members.
Movement to secure north and
south traction line or extension for
north OF the Fort Wayne and Spring
field traction lines.
Passage OF the shade tree bill.
The organization OF liberal build
ing and loan company to help the
man Of moderate means to secure a
home Of his own.
Active work on the part OF all COM
mittees.
What Club Has Done.
Mr. Swayne also gave an outline, at
the request of the directors, of what
the club has done during the last four
years. It's larger undertakings and
accomplishments follow:
Caused the establishment of ad
ditional fire protection by fire fight
ing equipment and an additional wat
er main and pumping equipment.
Drafted and secured the passage Of
building code.
Made Morton lake and park.
Secured better traction, city car,
and railway service.
Started Richmond May Festivals.
Inaugurated Booster" trips to boost
Richmond and get acquainted with
merchants and people of neighboring
towns
Served as arbitrators between or
CARNATIONS, factions, city and county.
Aided in bringing Wayne county an
agricultural agent
Conducted fall festivals.
Aided victims Of 1913 flood and took
part in other charity work.
Brought membership to 900 and Sc
J cured merger with Young Mems Busi-
| ness club.
! Secured the passage of the Penal
farm bill.
| Eathered shado tree bill