Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-04
BY JESS ,. HAWLEY,
President.

1.-THE Boise Commercial club is a
democratic organization, and its
i membership Is neither limited
nor exclusive. No iniation fee
Is charged. and no good citizen is de-
MED membership. It Is not a club in
the strict social Interpretation of the
word although the opportunities af-
forded by reason of the commodious
library. billiard and other rooms, give
opportunity for the business and pro-
fessional men Of Boise to meet in
friendly and social intercourse, A
dining room is also run in connection
with the club. It is run solely and ex-
clusively for the purpose of promot-
Ing acquaintance among the Boise busi-
ness ane professional men. and with
out any idea of profit.
Membership In the club Is 81 q month,
but in order that its activities may be
properly carried on. the leading bust
ness and professional men Of the COM
muntty are called upon to be sustaining
members. This merely means that they
contribute an agreed amount per year
for tho support Of the club. A sustain
ing member has no additional voice or
power because of his subscribing to
the up-keep Of the club In this man.
ner.
The organization 10 a corporation I'M
der the laws Of Idaho. and every mem
Der has an equal voice in the selection
Of officers, and the direction of the
policies and affairs of the club A
board OF FL directors, chosen so as to
represent all classes of business and
professional activity are the managers
Of the club. Directors hold office for
three years. one-third of the number
being elected every year. The directors
regularly meet in the club rooms on
Wednesday, end at other times when
called upon by the president. A. the
meetings OF the directors, various com.
mites report, meaeures for the growth
and progress Of the community are dis
cussed and plans for the carrying on
of the club activities are laid.
FILLS IN GREAT GAP.
The Boise Commercial club fills in
this community a gap between the
citizens and their city, county and state
government. The very nature of gov
ernments makes them unelastic and
renders them not highly efficient for
the carrying on Of the development OF
a community. For instance, the need
OF ascertaining the resources and at
fractions OF Boise and the country
tributary to It, In order that proper
presentation may be made to possible
settlers must be apparent to us all,
vet If the club or some similar organ
ization did not carry on the work of
the community's resources,
nothing would be done, for there is no
provision of our law which permits
either our city, county or state gov
eminent to properly bring to the at
tention of the outsider, the many mer-
its and attractions of southwestern
Idaho Then, again, II must he appar--
ent that neither the city. county nor
state government, as such, Is interest
ed or can do anything Of n practical
nature in bringing visitors to our city,
or entertaining or amusing them when
they are here. Boise has been the To-
cation Of many important conventions,
hundreds. even thousands, of people
have been brought into this city during
1916 and so far in 1917, to attend the
various conventions and meetings.
In the first place. some effort must
and present the merits OF Boise as
convention city. then, after an organ
ization has selected this community
az its place OF meeting, someone must
look after the proper reception and on
tertainment OF the delegates and 9TH
ers who attend the conventions.
PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENTS.
Then, the sentiment OF this COM
munity In favor OF good roads, and
local improvements of various kinds
needs an organization for its proper
expression and execution. Certainly
the city or county government cannot
be expected to initiate movements for
building good roads. acquiring parks.
and constructing pavements, yet it
must be admitted that these things are
all necessary In the progress and life
OF progressive community.
The modern spirit Of Boise has been
and is being made by the club. SO
closely has 1t been associated In the
peoples minds with the progressive
business and professional men of this
that its activities and
policies are generally respected and
accepted at least as being the best
thought of active men, unselfishly
and working for our com
progress. If this club were
dissolved and no similar institution