Arizona republican., 1917-02-27

Forty-fiVe business men attended
the membership dinner and annual
meeting of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' association. held at the
Chamber of Commerce last evening.
{ w. L. Pinney, president of the associa-
ton, was the presiding officer.
The annual report of Secretary Della
b. Clemens showed that the associa
ton now has a total membership of
140. representing practically every
business firm in the city. The new
rating book, now under preparation.
will be off the press in about two
weeks, according To the report. The
rating book is one of the most impor-
tant activities Of the association.
Reports We're read by President ".
l.. Pinney. Secretary Della B. Clemens
and Treasurer Harry A. Diehl. The
past year was the most successful IN
the history of the association, accord
ing to the reports.
Informal talks were given by various
members of the association on various
phases of the work being conducted.
An excellent menu was served proceed
ing the business session.
The presidents annual report was as
follows;
The Merchants Protective associa-
ton was organized December 10. l9ll
and was incorporated February II. 1917
as the Merchants and Manufacturers
association. and permanent quarters
We're secured in the Goodrich building.
H. y Diehl was elected as our iirst
president and II. NJ. Clemens, secretary.
The principal object for the organi-
zation of the association was maintain
ing a bureau of credits for the mutual
protection of members. While this
in itself has been of great benefit, the
association has At all times been active
in matters that would benefit the mer-
chants of the city.
on February 81. 1912. at a meeting
IF the board Of governors. the city Ii
, censc tax was discussed. attorneys con-
suited regarding test cases ON the ie-
gality Of the tax; this same subject ap-
pears in many meetings Of the board.
and it was not until July !. 1878 that
the license tax was finally abolished by
the city commission insofar as IL af-
fected the merchant This was big
step forward by the city government,
IN removing Phoenix from the small
town idea Of double taxation. To the
city class
This association alone was respon
Sible for the adjustment Of this mer-
chants license tax. which is saving the
merchants Of the city over $4,000 Der
Y i
from dues and other sources are about
/ s3.000.00 per annum. and there are yet
Il fcw business houses here who claim
they cannot afford to join the NJ
I K NJ.
In January. 1915. Mr. Clemens re-
signed as secretary and J. G. Ingeis was
selected in his place. but Mr. Clemens
+ was back at the job again IN October
Of that year. handling the office most
+ efficiently until mis- death. November
% 1915
/ ON May 20. 1913. we had IS active
members.
+ October /. 1913 we had II members.
February 10. 1914. after an active
campaign, the membership was in
! creased to $40. and il has remained at
about this figure since that date.
on December 81. 1912. our debts were
S3Gj.95: on October J. 1913. s436.63
+ February /. 1914. $957.75; April IA, 1915,
/ $3.50; February u. 1916 S570.05.
At this time | am glad to report all
bills. except small current accounts
not due. are paid. and we have bal
ance Of Sl1S.7S in the hands OF the sec
rotary and treasuses
on February Is, 1914. G. H. Pratt
was elected president. He was sue
/ ceeded February 10. 1915 by p T. Stay
/. back. Mr.. Slayback removed from the
I city a few months after his election,
the vice president acceding 10 the du-
ties OF the office The present incum-
bent was elected February u. 1916.
Economy in city and county govern
ment has received considerable atten-
ton from the association. A year ago,
IT the request of our board Of COVER
nors, the city commission passed an
ordinance consolidating the duties of
city magistrate with that Of city clerk.
The then city magistrate and some
other interests who did not seem i'm
bied with the idea of economy filed a
referendum against the ordinance,
which neccssitated an election June
p, 1916 the ordinance being supported
By vote Of f16i for and 345 against
This consolidation has resulted in a
saving TO the city of 81. 200 per year.
The number of cases in the police
court from July J. 1915 to June 30 1916,
was 500 Since July /, 1916, when the
duties we're assumed by the city clerk
the number Of cases has been 800. 1t
! viii thus he seen that the business for
! this fiscal year is just double that Of
the previous year. The city clerk adj
vises me that an average Of one to two
hours per day is required for transact
ing the business of the police court
and no extra clerk hire is used.
l. fAitfi Il tiiDtDhSH lIlNtSLiBdllDfl DI lIt
labor question for considerable period
on June 3. 1916. the board of Cover
nOrs adopted a Declaration of Prin-
clples. which have been unanimously
approved by all the members OF the
-associarion- to whom they have been
presented.
There has been no campaign fol
membership the past year. but through
the efforts Of our secretary and few
members, quite d number OF new
names have been added
One of our best committees has al
ways been the advertising committee
land through their efforts a large
amount of wild cat" ADVERTISING
schemes. very common previous to the
organization Of this association. have
been kept out Of the city.
| wish to thank the various com
mittees for their work. and the board OF
governors for their uniform attendance
at the many meetings we have held
during the past year. apd particularly
Mrs. Clemens our secretary since the
hitter part Of 1915, for her Jealous worl
and interest in the association at al