The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-07-20
DISCUSSED CITY
MANAGER SCHEME
COMMERCIAL CLUB AIRED VIEWS
ON PLAN AT FRIDAY EVEN
ING MEETING
PROGRESS IN CLUB WORK REPORTED
New Directors Elected and Plans Made
For Further Progress In
Civic Affairs

The Commercial Club held it's regu-
lar monthly meeting Friday evening.
1t was also the %semi-annual meeting
rectors.
The meeting was presided over by
President NJ. E. Culhane who made a
verbal report of the work Of the club
during the past six months. Secretary
c. a. Gullick was absent from the city
and in his absence John Alton, treas
urer of the club, acted as temporary
secretary. Mr.. Culhane stated that he
and the secretary expect to have a full
report for the next regular meeting.
The president made a number Of
valuable suggestions for carrying for
ward the work of the club, among
which was the employment of a paid
secretary whose business it will be to
push to a successful issue anything
undertaken for the city by the club.
Members Of the club now acting on
committees having work in charge are
all busy men and cannot give civic
matters the close attention which they
should have and which n paid secre-
tary can do. Members of the club and
business men in general have con-
tributed their money generously to-
wards every movement for the city's
welfare.
The committee having charge of the
movement for graveling the streets re-
ported that they had secured 100
names to the petition. The council is
~favorably disposed toward the project
and will consider it at the September
meeting. In the meantime the com
mittee hopes to secure at least 400
sIgners to the petition.
Treasurer Alton submitted his semi
annual report which showed a balance
Of $2,599.S0 in the treasury. The re-
port was approved and placed IN file.
The question of a city manager was
presented by DR.. A. w. Hyde who
pointed out the fact that BroOkings is
a big corporation with big interests at
stake. The city owns it's own electric
light and steam heating plant, water
works, and telephone system. In his
opinion these properties should be put
under a competent manager who will
be responsible to the city council for
economical and efficient service. The
mayor and council are doing well un-
der the present method Of handling the
city's affairs, but like all busy men
cannot give time enough to the work.
A city manager would devote his whole
time to it.
Many other members present were
give their views but the general feel
ing was that full information should
be secured before definite action is
taken. Nearly all expressed them
selves as knowing little about the
plans. Mayor II. B.. Mathews said he
came to learn all he could about a
city manager, and if the plans were
practicable and a manager could save
his salary he would not be averse TO
the move.
T. w. Dwight, past president of the
Sioux Falls Commercial Club, who was
present, was introduced by President
Perisho. He stated that the plan
works well in the east, and told of the
Sioux Falls club having had a lecturer
come there to give them information
along the lines which the club men,
bers here are working. He paid a
tribute to the activity Of the B%rookings
club, to the city in general and to the
civic pride of it's citizens. "No city in
the northwest" said he, has nicer
streets or more clearly kept lawns
than the city of B~rookings."
1t was finally determined to have
the president of the club appoint a
committee to look up information and
present it to the club at the next regu-
lar meeting.
The election Of directors was then
taken up and the following gentlemen
were elected for the ensuing term: c.
Larsen, B. H. Sayre, c. A. Gullick, l.
E. Lees, H. G. Hauff and J. w. Wilson,
the three latter being new directors.
--@--