Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-19
REPORT SHOWS
ORGANIZATION
HAD GOOD YEAR
Commercial Club Progresses
During 1916; Spends Much
But Has Balance Left
ANNUAL BANQUET IN
ARMORY FEBRUARY 8

The year 1915 was banner period
for the Ottumwa Commercial club in
more ways than one. Not alone did
the membership rise by leaps and
bounds, but substantial improvements
In the quarters which were changed
from the regular meeting and busi-
, ness rooms to a very commodious
club, were made. Better still-thess
improvements have all been paid for.
The financial report Of acting Sec
rotary Weidenfeller who is soon to
leave the work to enter other fields,
was feature Of Tuesdays luncheon
meeting. 1t showed progress more
than anything else and was gratifying
to the directors to hear.
While 1t gave 4 detailed statement
of the finances Of the club, these when
boiled down consist Of the following
Receipts during the year amounting
to 312,5s4.50. The disbursements were,
$12,25S.s2 and the balance on hand
shows $325.68
Thus it will be seen that despite ne
furnishing and equipment OF one Of
the finest club quarters in the state
the organization has met all expenses
and has nice balance.
Nor were the club quarters tho oaly
big project undertaken by the dub
during the year. While tho biggest IN
point Of expense and In anording the
membership something moro for their
money than had heretofore BEEN Nv.
en-, in that handsome rooms furnished
in comfort and the most modern style
are now available for the members.
there were other things started and
accomplished in 1916.
The bringing up of the membershiD
to its present strength Of moro than
700: the holding of open meetings for
the discussion and promotion Of com
munity improvement: the impetus
given the farm improvement bureau
that Is to be formally launched next
Wednesday and innumerable other
things all Of which are big and I'm
portant to the city and community.
had their part in the activities Of the
''u0 IN lsl0 .ss .fSS 49,; s;
Report on Coal ettuattVX.
Among the things taken up at the
directors meeting Tuesday aside from
the secretary's report on finances, was
the report Of the committee composed
Of Charles Hallberg, Hal Hedrick and
Walter T. Hall appointed recently to
investigate the coal situation here.
The committee in short report show
ed that In many cities Of the state in
the same class as Ottumwa, all save
one. the people have to pay moro for
coal than is being asked BY dealers In
Ottumwa. The exception was Boone
where the fuel sold for about 26 cents
per ton less than here. The commit
tee reported its findings show that OF
tumwa is treated moro favo1ably IN
fuel charges than most Of tAo cities IN
Iowa In It's class,
Banquet Date 10 Set
The annual banquet committee al.o
reported on the date, place Of holding
and chief speaker at the big evsuf
which is to be held Thursday, Teb.
8, in the Armory. President Jsogup
OF the State University Of Iowa win be
the principal speaker. The COMMITTEES
will continue arranging the balance Of
the details Of the banquet reporting
later its further progress.
Favor Change Of Constitution.
The United States Chamber Of Com
merce, Of which the Commercial club
Is a member, sent out referendum
vote upon the question Of chan gtng dc
constitution of the United States to
permit the president to veto any sep
arate part OF An appropriation bill with
out vetoing the entire measure and
thus kill pork barrel items that are
carried by in appropriation bills under
the present Interpretation Of the na-
tional constitution. The directors east
a favorable vote on the question reg
istering approval Of the proposed
change.