, 1924-12-18
To the People Of Rawlins:

To the People Of Rawltns:
Since the recognizing OF the Board Of Trade
into the present Chamber of Commerce the Board
of Directors have been untiring In their efforts
to give Rawlins a first-class, modern and effective
Chamber of Commerce. The proper kind OF an
organization cannot be built in a day. 1t is neces-
sary first to have as its managing and business
head, a secretary who is familiar with the work
and functions of a live Chamber. To secure such
a secretary with the limited funds available for
his salary was not easy. Hundreds of applications
were submitted to the Board. Letters and tele-
grams were sent to verify the references made, and
in each case a thorough investigation was carried
on to secure a man best fitted for the work of a
new organization. When the Board seemed to
have found a man who had had the proper exper-
fence it was found that the salary asked was be-
tween four and six thousand a year, which in our
case was beyond custom. Then again 1t seemed
best to employ a man who had made a success of
Chamber of Commerce work, and to do this a larg-
er salary had to be offered than the one he was
receiving. Other secretaries when approached Of
fering them the position. did not wish to leave
cities with better climate, lower living costs. ETC.,
except at a much larger salary. These conditions
necessarily delayed the securing Of a secretary.
Finally the Board asked Mr.. L. NJ. Bonnewell, sec
rotary of the Chamber of Commerce of Newton,
Iowa. to come to Rawlins and interview the Board.
This was done and after going over thoroughly the
experience and qualifications OF Mr.. Bonnewell. and
after n personal visit and contact, he was offered
the position at a salary Of s~3,Soo.oo per year.
This was accepted and he Is to report for duty
about the 5h of January.
With the securing of a new secretary. comes
the problem OF proper offices for the Chamber.
While the office of a Chamber of Commerce should
he located ON the main street and in a ground floor
location. to make 1t easily accessible to the stranger
and the public. no such suitable location was OBJ
tainable at a price the Chamber could afford to pay.
The First National Bank has offered a suite of
rooms in their building at a very fair price. and
while no definite action has been taken, 1t seems
best to locate in this building for a few months
at least. Together with the cost Of office rent.
will come the purchase of suitable furniture. and
the employment of a stenographer. The fixed ov-
er-head expense of the Chamber will be in the
neighborhood OF IS, 900. 90 per year.
The aim. desire and ambition Of the Rawlins
Chamber of Is to build a greater Raw
Inns and to make It an ideal place in which to live
and raise a family. In building a greater Rawlins
we are contributing to the up-building Of a greater
and its prospects for the future are unsurpassed
by any city In the Rocky Mountain region. Let us
think Rawlins. talk Rawlins, serve Rawlins and
sell Rawlins first to ourselves and then to all. II
the city is prosperous. the people will be prosperous
and to accomplish this every business firm and in
terested individual must support the Chamber OF
Commerce. To properly conduct this organiza-
ton an amount OF $4,000 n year should be raised.
This means that II will be possible to operate a first
class organization and have money to reach out
and bring to Rawlins the Industries best suited
for this location. The quota committee was careful
and conscientious In assigning the amount OF men,
berships.
II any member believes that his Is too high
or unfair. the Board OF Directors will be glad to 70
over the matter carefully with him nny Monday
evening at their regular meeting. The Chamber OF
wants to be given n chance to prove
that II is worth every dollar invested in 1t.
tSigned) Chamber OF Commerce Directors.
II. Larsen. President
w. p. Hays. LIST. Vice-President
II. Breitenstein. 2nd Vice-Pres'dcnt
Geo. A. Bible. Treasurer
r. II. Alcorn
l. w. Dinsmore
w. W. Daley
r. A. Kell
James Potts
A. J. Roster