The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-04-21
AUTOMOBILE CLUB


NC OISdulZdtlOu Va al hulO
Club for this city has been sug-
gested by several owners of
machines and all those speaking of
such an organization felt that it
would be beneficial.
1t has been figured that with all
auto owners combined in a club,
rules could be adopted which
would do away with considerable
of the reckless driving and attend
ant danger. 1 would also create a
bond among the owners and drivers
that would have a tendency to
do away with much of the I-don t
give-a-damn" policy at present
sometimes marked and make each
more considerate of the others
welfare.
The MINER took it upon itself
to see what other towns have done
and finds that an association of
automobile owners has been of
much benefit. In writing to A. E.
Bickford, secretary of the Vir-
ginia Club in regard to the method
to pursue to organize we received
the following answer:
Answering your favor of the
18th inst, relative to steps which
are necessary to be taken toward
the organization of an automobile
club, will state that the only way
1 know of is the same procedure
as is taken in any organization.
If the sentiment among the auto
mobile owners of Ely is for a club
of the nature of an automobile
club, some of the leaders of the
movement may call a meeting for a
certain time and organize with as
many officers as is necessary to
carry on the work. That is the
way Virginia did last fall, and we
elected a president, two vice-presi-
dents, a secretary and treasurer
and five directors. The reason
why so many officers were elected
was to catch all factions and get
them all to working so it would
look as though all would be in
cluded and have no tincture of a
clique or ring, and in this way we
got frst-class support. We also
elected road-captain, so that any
time the machines are all out on
some parade, this man would have
charge of. the routing e the parade
and the lineup of the different
machines. The secretary then
secured as complete list as pos
sible of all the owners of auto
mobiles, their addresses and the
make of the machine. Dues con-
sistent with the running of the
financial portion of the organiza-
tion should be set and they should
be collected at once. while the
proposition is hot. We drafted
very unique emblem which we
place on Our radiators and which
is very good boost for the town
and no matter where the machine
goes this emblem is a very good
advertisement and also makes the
members more keen in having the
emblem on his machine as it gives
him a constant reminder that he is
member OF the organization and
should boost. We have not as yet
adopted rules and regulations.
Committees were appointed as
follows: membership and bylaws
and other little committees which
we thought necessary at the time.
1t is wonderful to note what a
beneficial help a club of this
character can give to the city
council and to the commercial club
of the city, and is an institution
which any city of any size and
containing any number of auto
mobiles can not get along without,
even though they are not as active
as they should be; the organiza-
ton is there and at any time the
public desires help, they know
that the institution is alive and
can be called upon and relied upon
to help in any emergency. 1t has
very good social bearing and
tends to solidify the members of
the club for better roads, boosting
of the town and mutual assistance.
l trust these few remarks will
be of assistance to you and trust
that you will form a good, live
organization which l know you
will, as the Ely people are given
to carry on and work with a good
deal of energy"