Omaha daily bee., 1916-05-25
COMMERCIAL CLUBS
FOR GOOD ROADS
Urge Passage of Law Providing For
Highway Commission, With
Control of Highways.
PROPOSE INTRODUCING A BILL


An efficient state highway COM
mission with state control Of the
roads is something the Commercial
clubs Of Nebraska want, as voiced by
the convention OF the State Associa-
ton Of Commercial clubs, at the Com
mercal club rooms Wednesday
PA. Wells, chairman OF the legis-
lative committee Of the Omaha Com
mercial club, talked on roads, and
suggested the state commission. He
read a rough sketch of a tentative
bill seeking to create such a com
mission. The convention. voted to
favor the proposition and to appoint
a committee to draft suitable bill
to be introduced in the next legisla-
ture.
At noon the delegates were the
guests Of the Commercial club of
Omaha for luncheon and Attorney
General Willis +. Reed addressed the
body on irrigation in western Me-
braska.
In the five-minute talks during the
morning on the activities Of the yari-
Gus clubs Of the state, Rev. w. L..
CASTOR OF Wayne, won the $40 cash
prize for the best little booster talk
for his town and club. Richard l..
Metcalfe and Frank /. Ringer were
the judges.
B. A. George, George +. Johnson
and Prof. George L. Condra Of Lin
coin, discussed the roads situation in
the state, and urged the creation Of
a state highway commission as sug-
gested by Wells.
In the evening the delegates were
entertained at the Empress theater
and then taken for an automobile
spin throughout the scenic parts OF
the city, the Field and Country clubs.
These conventions from year 70
year bring out the facts that the clubs
are better organized each year
throughout the state, and that they
are really doing things. M. M.
Waugh, for example, is here from Ne
braska City, town Of $500 popula-
ton. There the Business Mems as
sociation has membership Of 800
and is incorporated for S25,000. The
association has donated a $1,000 cleo
trolier system to the city.
The Kieth County Community club
OF Ogallala is represented, The club
has l8l members, 100 Of whom are
farmers. The club built four miles Of
Lincoln highway and has the money
on hand and work pledged for six
miles more.
VIA. Bruce, secretary Of the Ver-
digre Commercial club, is here Yer
digre is a town of 600 population.
The club spent $3.50 during 1915 for
the Improvement of the roads. The
club has fifty members.
J. /. Stewart, president of the
Pawnee City Commercial club, and
J. c. Calhoun, secretary, state that
the population of their town is 1910
The club has eighty-two members and
is interested in all business and So
cial welfare OF the town, county and
state.
Aurora Boosts Everything.
The Aurora Commercial club, a
club boosting for good roads, city inn
provement, speed meet, county fair,
community interest and everything
that is worth while, is represented.
This club claims the distinction of be-
ing the first to introduce free em-
ployment bureau.
w. w. Walton, secretary and treas
urer OF the Center Commercial club,
boasts a membership Of thrty-siX out
Of total population in the town OF
$50. The club, he says, last year eX-
pended 81 900 for good roads.
The Allen Commercial club reports
a membership OF thirty-two, all Of
which are business men, The club
has improved and worked the roads in
northeastern Nebraska.
F. f. Fellus, secretary Of the ST
Edward Commercial club, reported
sixty-three members Last year the
budget was $1,000. The club donated
5000 TO the village for street oiling.
Good Report from Alliance.
Alliance, with a population of 5,ll0,
is represented. The Commercial club
boasts 232 members The club main
tains free employment buread The
club raised the necessary funds Tor
an agricultural agent and put up am
electric welcome sign costing $3.50
Dcshlcr, with a population Of 1000.
boasts 100 members IN its club The
club has a budget OF Sl,S00, and the
town claims the largest broom factory
m the world.
Elgin, with a population Of 900, has
q community club incorporated for
$4,000 A community house Is under
way The club assisted in the build,
ius Of ten miles ol elias road through
the sand at an expense ol $500
Ihe Commercial club Of Albion.
represented at ftt convention. has ls0
members the club a now working
htf3 iar q S0Wn hHtci and is boost
laR Doe the hig county talf held there
annually
Morris a proud ot is Dive wire cam.
mcfrtsi e'uh ut 500 members fhe
taau agW tM twelve miles ot RaTed
CaniunrH an PAGE & Column SD