Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-09-15
MOVEMENT FOR HOTEL is
SUCCESSFULLYLAUNCHED

burg which possessed at least two first
class hotels. He was glad he said.
to be associated with his Harrisburg
friends in the undertaking.
J Mr.. McCaleb, predicted that many
tourists would stop over in Harris
burg upon the completion of the new
! hotel. He said IL was the natural
traffic center of Pennsylvania and in
his judgment thousands of travellers
would avail themselves of the ten-day
stop-over privilege granted Harris
burg sometime ago.
Others spoke in similar veins and
the party broke up in mutual express
sions of great satisfaction over what
had been done.
Bowman Delighted
President Bowman OF the Chamber
of Commerce, who with eX-presidents
Henderson Gilbert and E. J. Stack
pole were associated with Mr.. Wall
over in the preliminary canvass re-
sulting in last nights final move. said
to-day that he was more than delight
ed with the glorious conclusion of the
preliminary campaign. Il believe we
have taken another long step forward
in the development of Harrisburg.
This hotel will mean more than any OF
us can possibly estimate in placing the
city more largely than ever upon the
map"
Mfr. Wallower Led Campaign
In every great movement some
leader is developed who inspires those
with whom he is associated by his
energy. his vision and his answering
purpose to achieve that Which he has
| set out to do.
The new hotel campaign brought to
the front one who has been identified
with every important public improve
ment crusade in the recent history of
Harrisburg. E. z. Wallower was one
n ha =.
ceived and made possible the initial
movement for a Greater Harrisburg
in the winter Of 1901. He was on the
fighting line in every SUBSEQUENT cam
paign for the things which have
transformed this city into QUE of the
munities. He it was also who led the
forces in the construction of the new
home of the Young Women's Chris
tan Association and who labored to
establish the Masonic Temple. His
successful business career has been
sistent efforts to place Harrisburg
squarely in its proper relation to the
Commonwealth.
Under the circumstances it was
natural that he should be chosen to
lead in the final charge for new
hotel that would meet the require
ments OF growing city and the
Capital OF the State. Last February
| he was resting in Florida when ]. Will
liam Bowman, president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, replying to a letter
from z. ]. Stackpole, editor-in-chief
of the Telegraph, who was at another
| point in Florida, suggested that the
Moses who might lead the hotel boost
ers to success was not far away and
that 1t was good time to induce him
to take the colors. a few days later Mr..
| Wallower, z. s. Herman, president of
the City Planning Commission and Mr..
Stackpole held conference in Florida
| and the subject was thoroughly dis
cussed, Mr.. Wallower promising to
give the matter his earnest con-
| llninary that an option be secured on
several prospective locations so that
| no time would be lost in the mat
ter if it was decided to go ahead.
Later in the year a committee con-
sisting of Henderson Gilbert and
| the Chamber of Commerce and Mr..
McColgin, secretary of that body went
to Philadelphia and had an interview
with ex-Attorney General Hampton
l.. Carson, counsel for xne Weightman
estate, owners OF the old Opera House
property at Third and Walnut streets.
AS result of this interview an option
was secured on the property at the
| ngure Of S230,000, and 1t was later
agreed by the committee unanimously
that this was the proper location for
| the hotel.
With important private interests de-
manding his attention Mr.. Wallower
was compelled to make several ex-
tended trips to the distant West, but
all the time he was mulling over in
his mind plans and details of the
movement which has come to practical
fruition. Those who have been as
ISOLATED with him realize what tower
Of strength he has been and have
found him the ideal man to head so
important an enterprise. He has given
his best thought to the working out
Of a financial scheme that has had
the approval of the best business
minds in the city. BY reason of these
facts 1t is little wonder that the leader
OF the movement and the gentlemen
associated with him have been the
recipients Of SO many congratulations
to-day. But "E. T." modestly assures
everybody who gives him credit that
what has already been accomplished
has been achieved largely through the
cordial support and cooperation of
those who induced him to take COM
mand of the campaign.
| Mr.. Wallower Is still young man
in the sense that years have no effect
upon his vitality, his energy or his
vision. He sees clearly the Harrisburg
OF the future and believes that the new
Harrisburg hotel is the cap sheaf of
the great transformation work that
has been going on in this city for the
last fifteen years.
Previous Efforts
Any history of the movement which
has now eliminated in the organiza-
ton OF hotel company that will pro-
vide a modern structure with all the
up-to-date appointments, must include
many previous efforts to bring about
what has now been practically accom-
plished. Some years ago the old
Board of Trade appointed a special
sideration to the question and at one
time 1t appeared certain that a replica
of the Bellevue -Stratford at Philadel-
phia would be erected here. This
movement was the outcome of a pro-
position of a Philadelphia syndicate.