San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-18


conceived the idea of a great civic audi
forum, is an accomplished fact. During
1917, the late b. +. Nicholson, who was
the first president Of the Real Estate
Exchange, the forerunner of the Real
Estate Board, introduced resolution
endorsing the construction of q great
civic auditorium and coliseum, writes
Charles ]. Rush, secretary of the board.
This met with immediate support from
the Realtors. Committees were formed
in the Board, and advisers from the
various civic organizations were selected
to form the nucleus of a great central
committee to provide San Antonio with
an auditorium. At one of the meetings
the General Auditorium Committee
Mr.. ]. III. kirkpatrick said that if San
Antonio was to keep its place along with
the progressive cities of America the
city should have an auditorium. Since
the drive for the auditorium was
launched the Realtors have constantly
aided in putting the project over.
The history Of the San Antonio Real
Estate Board is replete with accomplish
ments for the development Of the City of
the Alamo. During 1910 a number of
real estate operators realized the neces-
sity Of an organization to foster their
own interests and that of the investing
public. On June 80, 1910 the San An
tonic Real Estate Exchange was or.
gained with a large number of the lead
ing operators enrolled as members, with
the object of advancing the interests of
San Antonio and Southwest Texas by
promoting immigration, public improve
ments, equal and just assessments and
taxation, and the proper enforcement of
ordinances and laws designed for the
protection, convenience and welfare Of
the public.
One Of the first movements sponsored
by the Exchange was the Beautiful
Yards contest, plans being made at the
meeting of March 8, 1911, ito conduct
such a campaign, as an annual feature.
J. II. Compton, X. ii. Wester and Il. G.
Callahan had charge of the first contest.
The board is today conducting its thir-
teenth annual contest, under the able
direction Of John L. Strohm. Striving
continually to develop San Antonio and
its splendid resources the members Or
Sanized the Bexar County Highway
League, the Publicity League, and the
Agricultural Bureau. These organiza-
tons have done excellent work for this
city.
The first real estate auction in San
Antonio was held under the auspices Of
the Exchange on April 6, 1911. The Gus
tom Of meeting at luncheons to discuss
mutual problems and plans for Greater
San Antonio brought about the formation
Of the first regular luncheon club in San
Antonio. Meals were served in the Ex-
changes rooms, according to Ray
Mackey, former secretary of the Board.
Board members actively aided in hav-
sng the Jommers system of taxation
adopted, and also supported the Com
mission form Of government for San An
tonic. 1t sponsored the first "own Your
Home campaign. and created real in
terest in home ownership. The Tourist
Headquarters now in operation was
started by the Board as tourist infor-
nation bureau.
During 1923 the Board sponsored q
"Vslley Week" boosting Rio Grande
valley products, conducting an eIhibi-
tiOn locally, with the cooperation Of San
Antonio business men.
Since its organization in 1910 the fol-
lowing have served in the capacity Of
President Of the San Antonio Real Es-
tate Exchange, and the San Antonio Real
Estate Board: b. II. Nicholson, r. Ii.
Wester, Q. o. Austin, ]. L. Lyle, @. NJ.
Roberts, J. II. Compton, Il. NJ. Hays,
Sherman @. Kile, Russell O Hill, J. III.
kirkpatrick, Wallace Rogers, N. 8.
Dickinson, N. ii. White, b. G. Irish and
Fl. @. Thorman.