Imperial Valley press., 1923-01-02
IGURESSt low CAIEXICOFASTG ASTGROWlNGCOTTON
CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL IMPERIAL VALLEY
ACHIEVEMENT OF
BORDER {. OF {.
IS NOTEWORT H Y
Chamber is Great Aid in
Promoting Much Civic
Spirit

The Calexico Chamber of Com
mercc was organized at Il meeting
held on January 80, 1917, as the
Successor to the Farmers and Mer-
chants Club. At this meeting
Messrs. Frank ID. Hevener, G. L.
Wardlaw, w. T. Aitken, l.. M. Jones,
and r j. West were elected direc-
tors. Mr.. West found it impossible
to give the time and attention to
the work, and resigned, Sidney Nc
Harg being elected to fill the va
cancy.
The board was organized with Mr..
Hevener, president; Mr. Wardlaw,
vice president. During the years
l917.lS-l9 there were very few gen.
eraI meetings, duties being perform
ed by the directors, assisted by IN
divdual members or committees, as
the occasions arose. The member
ship at this time was less than 100.
In January, 1920, Mr.. Hevener
resigned as president and was sue
ceeded by Y. +. Carr, who resigned
in June, 1920, and was succeeded by
f. Anderson, who resigned III Janu-
arv, 1921. During this period Cham
Der of Commerce did not push for
ward much, due to the severe finan-
cial struggle which came about i'm
mediately after the close of the
World War, many of the responsible
and reliable. business men making
changes.
Reorganized in 1922
In January, 1922, general meet.
ing was called for the purpose of
recognizing the Chamber of Com
merce. The following directors were
appointed: Messrs. l.. M. Hutchin-
son, j. G.. Scott, w. II. Lorenz, 7.
j. Worthington, r. j. West, s. E.
Burrows, ID. X. Kincaid, c. s. Ander-
son, w. j. West, II. H. Clark, r. G..
Goree, H. w. Going, Vim. Gunter-
mann, Randall Henderson and Man
uel G. Hernandez.
The board was organized with l..
NJ. Hutchinson, president; I. >.
Worthington, vice president; w. ii.
LOrenz, second vice president; and
VIM. Guntermann, treasurer. A this
time the Chamber secured perman-
ent location in the Calexico Hotel
building, havinga public welfare
room, dining room and kitchen. Much
interest has been shown in the new
organization and the membership
has increased to 400.
r;%.~o%,,rn n;c<r;hu%nd
During the existence of the Cham
Der many booklets and various lit
erature have been printed and dis !
tributed throughout the country per-
tanning to CalexicO and surrounding
country.
The Chamber has sought to aid on
all important matters. A few OF the
most important things acted upon
by the board were:
The arranging of receptions for
prominent speakers and guests of
the valley and excursionists; assist
ing the Calexico Rifle Club to OBJ !
tain equipment and suitable range
for practice; cooperating with the
Red Cross and other societies in pa
triotic and charitable work and
helping to promote the sale of lib
erty bonds.
The Chamber further took every
necessary step to aid the business III
terests with regard to government
regulations and restrictions in con-
nection with the border. Much
credit is also due the chamber for
the securing of aNhearing by the
State Railroad Commission on the
complaint filed with the commission
in regard to power, light and tele-
phone service and aiding in the
matter of better stage transporta-
tion throughout the valley; and at
all times assisting the board of city
trustees on any important matters.
, In November, 1929, the chamber
held its first International Cotton
Pageant with a view of advertising
CalexicO as cotton center, which
they hope to make an annual event.
Wage Fight for Hotel
The matter of federal building
and hotel for CalexicO is continual
ly being fought with view to OBJ
tanning same shortly.
During the past five years Calex-
leo has made a record of growth un-
equalled in any municipality in Cali
fornia. Here are few of the big
things Accomplished:
Built new city hall at a cost
of $4,000.
New fire house and Jail costing
$4,000.
Additional park Of II acres.
Six miles of sewers.
Added $500,000 in paving.
Twenty eight miles of sidewalks.
Planted over 5000 trees in park
ings.
Has added new pumping plant at
water.works, TRIPPING capacity.
Settling basin increasing capacity
six-fold, and added
Chlorine plant and filter system.
Waste water sewers, and new san
itary outfall sewers.
Provided six miles Of water mains
and 56 hydrants.
Installed Gamewell fire alarm sys-
tenn.
Real Estate Value High