Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-12-21
RICH C[UB FOR POOR MN
Mieh., Own Skyserapsr,
Bank, Stores, Ete.

membership in one of the finest clubs
in Flint, Mich. 1t is club that occu-
pies fve entire floors of new build
ing, a splendid modern skyscraper on
the principal street, with parlors fur
nished in exquisite taste, library and
reading rooms, cafe and roof garden,
gymnasium and bowling alleys, bill
liards, lounge and smoking rooms for
men, rest rooms for women, cafe and
dining rooms, showers, lockers and ev-
cry other facility and equipment usu-
ally included In the Quitting of q mil
lionaire's club.
The requirement for membership is
that one must be worker In one of
the factories Of the city. Nine thou
sand already have availed themselves
of The benefits Of membership. 1t is
thought to be the largest club Of its
kind In the country. The official name
is the Industrial Mutual Association of
Flint.
The enterprise is the outgrowth Of a
movement undertaken tn the Flint fac
tories about twenty-five years ago, to
provide mutual benefit insurance for
the workers, says Henry ]. Richmond
In the Detroit News. At that time the
motorcar had not arrived, but Flint
was known the country over as a
center for the manufacture Of wagons
and buggtes. About 800 factory en-
Iployees began to make weekly pay
'ments 10 their own organization to
provide q fund out Of which benefits
might be paid to those who became Ill
or were injured.
Later q cooperative association was
formed having as its primary purpose
the conduct Of factory stores selling to
workers the little luxuriss and neees-
stiles for which there was q demand.
Notwithstanding numerous vicissi-
tudes, It became q financial success
and contributed to the confidence
which was growing among the work
ers In their ability to finance ana con
duct mutual benent organixationaL
The idea Of fellowship naturally sug-
gsstsd organization for social benefits
and this led into larger ventures. In
the vicinity Of the city 10 Potter's lake,
which as early as 1915 was attracting
summsr-resort visitors. The organixa-
tion bought a site for summer camps
that year, and has since enlarged its
holding until it has 100 acres. afford
ing nearly IN miles Of beautiful
shore line.
The educational field NEXT attracted
attention. Then success Of business
ventures and the increase Of financial
ltntsrests suggested the establishment
of bank. This came into existence
under the corporate name Workmen's
Mutual bank. It accepts deposits, and
makes loans to the membership ON pa
per signed by any two other members
lof known responsibility.
/! Thus, under these two basic organi.
xations of the Flint factory workers
themselves, developed five distinct de-
Ipartments-insuranee, the bank, sdu
cation, recreation and the factory
stores. Gradually 1t became apparent
that the interests of all were common
and that there was no real reason for
the two organisations. SO the Last
year the two were Joined.
At about the same time the savings
bank planned to build new home for
itself In the downtown district. A pro-
;posal was made that the height Of the
building be increased and Ave floors be
devoted to the association The new
'clubrooms were opened recently.