The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-03-30
City Needs Chamber of
Commerce and Club is
Many Leaders, Verdict

What shall be the future OF the
Rock Island club and Chamber of
Commerce?
This question was put to a num-
Der OF business and professional
men. leaders in the community,
with the view of ascertaining what
action they would choose to have
taken this evening when the mem
bership OF the bodies meets at the
Rock Island club to decide on some
definite course Of action for the
future.
The Chamber of Commerce was
the outcome of several years of
agitation in Rock Island. 1t was
claimed that Rock Island needed a
commercial organization OF this
character If 1t was to assume its
proper standing in the community.
Three years ago concerted
drive for members was inaugurated
and approximately thousand sign
ed up for 3-year period. which
expires July l. The Rock Island
club became the home of the Cham
Der OF Commerce and the Business
Mems association. The expiration
Of the three year arrangement
brings the three organizations to
a crisis.
Three plans will be submitted for
the consideration of the members
Of the Rock Island club and Cham
Der Of Commerce this evening:
l. Reorganization with increased
dues and continuation as at
present.
2. Complete separation of the
Rock Island club and the Chamber
of Commerce.
8. Dissolution and liquidation Of
the club and property.
The interviews obtained follow
W. S. McCombs: In my expert.
ence and observation, the present
manner of operation Of the three
organizations is not a success.
have seen it tried in many places
The Business Mems association
should be separate from the others
Ralph Haverstick: We shoult
stick to the Chamber Of Commerce
by all means. but I think we SHOULD
separate the chamber from thu
Rock Island club.
Rev. John McGown Stevenson
From the standpoint of an outsider
should say the loss Of the Cham
Der of Commerce would be a Sc
rious one to the community. W.
also need a good social center sucl
as the Rock Island club might b
made. But in my experience, ever,
organization should stand in its owl
| shoes. There are enough men il
Rock Island to support a club an
! a Chamber of Commerce. The tw
| should be separate.
S. S. Davis: l do not know enoug
about the situation to speak a
opinion. In general l should sa
that we need some organization G
the sort, whether or not we kee
the Chamber OF Commerce in it
present form.
| H. A. Clevenstine: We need a.
three organizations, but they shout
be separate as far as the conduC
of their affairs is concerned. Fac
has its place in the community lif'
| but the interests of the three bodie
| are too diverse to make it desirabl
| that they be Joined as at present
II G. W. Roth: l think it would /
more practical to divorce the thrt
organizations. The Chamber I
| Commerce should be continue
| Dissolution would be the last resor
| J. ]. Burgess: The stumblir
block in the way of the Chamb'
of Commerce is its connection
the minds of the people with Il
Rock Island club. The public b
lieves the Chamber Of Commerce
being used as blind to support Il
defunct funds of the Rock Islal
club. If we could sever this CO
nection and make them know tn
} vo bovo cfrictlv Chamhar