South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-26
PROPOSE CONSOLIDATION
OF COMMERCE CHAMBER
WITH THE ATHLETIC CLUB
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE.)

OF the Chamber Of Commerce and the
Commercial Athletic club Will be as
unanimously in favor of the proposed
consolidation as are the directors Of
both organizations. They believe that
this plan serves the best interests OF
both memberships and at the same
time Will prove of great value for the
future OF South Bend.
The club house is exactly suited
for the purpose-the gymnasium Will
make an excellent hall for general
and special meetings. The smokers
and informal meetings Will have all
the surroundings 10 make them OF
great interest and value.
The features Of the club, such as
bowling, pool, billiards. cards, read
ing room, etc, should prove a strong
attraction toward an increased mem
bership-tO say nothing OF the value
OF being lined UP in a constructive
organization whose main purpose is TO
boost the city.
From the Chamber of Commerce
side, the membership fees from <. A.
G. members alone would pay the rent.
The revenues from bowling, billiards.
cigars. etc, should bring n as much
more this will leave a corresponding
surplus for use of the industrial COM
mittee or in other work.
From the Commercial Athletic
side-the members still have the club
and a largely increased membership
of live men and the club is re-dedi-
Gated to commercial activity and is
performing its original mission"
FavOrs Consolidation.
4 am in favor OF this consolida-
tiOG, said DR.. Edgar Myers in dis
cussing the matter, because 20 years
ago our club was started for the ad-
vancement of commercial and civic
interests as well as athletics. How
ever a few years ago, several business
men of the club thought that the
commercial and civic interests could
be better carried on outside of the
club
From that time the club developed
along purely social lines.
Since the Chamber of Commerce
has been so successful, it is thought
by this club that consolidation would
benefit all concerned, and we decided
TO offer our home TO the chamber
without expense. The concessions
and dues of our stockholders will more
than pay the rental for the building.
at is a benefit for members of our
organization because each one OF US
Will become a member of the Cham
Der of Commerce. It is out of the
question TO support so large building
merely for cards, billiards, bowling
Sees Larger Use.
"The club has reached point
where It's usefulness as a social organ
ization has been outlived, because OF
the growth of other clubs and organ
izations in the city" said Carl Hib-
berd.
with the organization at present a
purely social club with no other Cd
iect than the qualification of the de-
Co al MI
ures. the directors deemed il advis-
able to extend it's activities along
some other line The consolidation OF
our organization with the present
Chamber of Commerce was suggested
and after numerous conferences or
committees from both organizations.
the proposed plan Of consolidation was
agreed upon.
ut is my opinion" continued Mr..
Hibberd. that this is the solution OF
making for South Bend a bigger and
better business mems organization.
also believe that the contamination or
This consolidation will mean an or
ganization of 1000 members instead
of the present 500 This action on
the part of the Commercial Athletlc
club is one of great pubic service TO
the city Of South Bend.
Il believe that the consolidation
of the two organizations will be a
good things. for the Chamber Of Com
merce. the Commercial-Athle club
and the city" said I. r. Hardy superin-
tendent of transportation of the chi
cago. South Bend and Northern In
diana railways. Mr.. Hardy is d.
rector OF the Chamber of Commerce.
II was a member OF the committee
that had charge of the plans for con-
solidation." continued Mr.. Hardy" and
the proposition impressed me favor
ably from the first was indeed
pleased when the Chamber of Com
merce directorate unanimously voted
in favor Of the consolidation.
Now that the matter has gone this
far. 1 should like to see the cOnsOlida-
ton go through without hitch.
firmly believe that as far as the
chamber Of Commerce is concerned.
il would give the club a decided i'm
petus. and the club could help the
Chamber of Commerce through its
club building. etc"