Businessmens Banquet October 1907

 

Waupaca Record

October 10, 1907

 

THE BUSINESS MEN’S BANQUET A SUCCESS

Enthusiastic Meeting Held Monday Evening

The “20th Century City” by Prof. E.A. Ross

 

            The Waupaca Business Men’s Advancement Association held their monthly meeting and banquet in the M.W.A. Hall on Monday evening.  About eighty members were present and a live and enthusiastic meeting was held.

            The supper was an excellent one and was served by the W.R.C. at about 6:39.  Immediately after supper Vice President Gordon called the meeting to order.  After the minutes of the previous meeting were read reports were heard from the various standing committee.

            J.E. Cristy reported for the manufacturers committee and again told of how the committee was hampered by the lack of financial aid.

            Irving P. Lord reported on transportation and made several appropriate remarks.

            John M. Ware, of the Good Roads committee, urged the Association to use their best endeavors to have the city macadamize the principal roads leading into the city.

            A.G. Nelson made in interesting report for the railroad committee.

            J.L. Sturtevant made the report of the advertising committee.  It was again requested that everyone use the advertising slips and also that the Association purchase a trademark to be used by all business of the city on their stationary.  A resolution was passed authorizing the committee to make this purchase.

            The special committee on “parks” made no definite report but the subject was discussed freely.

            L.W. Krate read an interesting paper on the “Mail Order House Proposition”, giving several interesting methods of defeating the mail order houses.

            The convention committee made a report that they had extended in behalf of the Association an invitation to the state W.C.T.U. convention and the convention would most probably be held here next year.

            A resolution was passed authorizing the chairman of the meeting to appoint a committee of three naming a national potato day and to report at next meeting.

            Other short address were made by J.G. Milward and T.J. McGrath and also a vote of welcome was extended to the new members of the association.

            The meeting then adjourned to the opera house where Prof. E.A. Ross was introduced by Senator E.E. Browne, who assured those assembled that Mr. Ross’ mental capacity corresponded to his physical dimensions.  As Prof. Ross in 6 feet and 6 inches in height his audience expected great things and were not disappointed.  He very vividly pictured the great strides made in civic improvements up to the present time, when we are nearing the “Ideal City”.

 

 

 

Waupaca Republican

October 11, 1907

 

BANQUET AND ADDRESSES

An Enthusiastic and Profitable Meeting of the Waupaca Business Men’s Advancement Association Monday Night and Addresses

 

            The meeting of the Waupaca Business Men’s Advancement Association at M.W.A. Hall was attended by nearly one hundred members and the consensus of opinion of all was that the getting together and touching elbows around the banquet board, and listening to reports and addresses and helping in discussions, is a good thing and there is no doubt that four banquets each year will be a regular feature of the association in the future.

            The Woman’s Relief Corps provided a tempting and wholesome menu and the tables occupying two sides and one end of the room were beautifully trimmed; vases of red salvia placed at intervals and green smilax and ferns helped to form a pretty contrast.  Only expressions of praise were heard on every hand for the W.R.C. ladies both in preparing and serving, such a supper.

            Supper over, and cigars passed, the monthly business routine was called by Vice President John Gordon, Pres. Ghoca being absent.

            Secretary Holst read the proceedings of previous meeting which were approved.

            Advertising committee reported recommending a proper Waupaca trade mark to be used on all stationery sent out by business men.  An appropriation not exceeding $10, was made to provide such design.

            J.E. Cristy, chairman of the committee on manufacturers reported that his committee had several propositions in view but were handicapped for lack of resources.  He thought that a liberal policy toward city improvements near things all ready established and a spirit betokening a hearty welcome ought to be shown.

            I.P. Lord, chairman of the transportation committee indorsed Mr. Cristy’s views and said manufactures and transportation were closely allied and both should be earnestly encouraged to enhance the growth of our city.    

            Hon. A.G. Nelson, chairman of the Railroads committee, said he had hoped that by this time the Waupaca Green Bay Railroad would be in active operation but difficulties unforeseen such as is liable to most all such undertaking had arisen scarcity of help being at present the trouble.  He could say though, in spite of adverse circumstances, the steel, bolts, fishplates and ties were all bought and paid for and a large part of the grading had been done.  The sink hole near Scandinavia had been a menace and nearly ten thousand dollars in dirt, timber and stone had been swallowed up in its depths; but it is thought now that the limit had been reached and a solid crossing would result very soon.  He hoped when it became necessary to sell the bonds of the company to put on rolling stock and complete the final work that the bonds would sell at or near par value.  Mr. Nelson said he would reserve further talk for contractor J.T. McGrath who was present.

            Peter Holst as a committee of one to visit Appleton in the interest of getting the State Grocers and Mercantile Association Convention here reported that he was not an orator, but wished we could have head his speech he made in behalf of Waupaca.  He said the convention was really promised an old pioneer member in Hayward for next year but Waupaca was the unanimous choice for 1909.  Mr. Holst had in behalf of the business men’s association invited the ladies of the W.C.T.U. in convention assembled at Portage to hold their convention in 1908 in Waupaca, which invitation had been unanimously accepted.  The association expect 200 delegates to attend the convention in Waupaca next year which will mean at least a thousand visitors one or more days at the meeting of the “White Riboners”.

            The Park committee reported progress through its chairman C.W. Nelson, J.W. Evans hoped to see the work progress another spring and eventually a beautiful driveway extended around at least a part of Mirror and Shadow Lakes and various other things which this city needs in Park attractions for not only this but all coming generations. Along this line Mr. J.C. Hart made a plea for improving the school grounds by filling a “goose pond” depression and removing the old barn.  Also thought when a building has outlived its usefulness and had been condemned as unfit for the purposes intended that the same should be torn down and a modern and sanitary structure reared in its place.  Applause greeted Mr. Hart’s remarks

            J.T. McGrath who is striving to complete the building of our new railroad said that in spite of the difficulties experienced he expected to have the cars running before Christmas if help can be secured to do the work.

            John M. Ware spoke on Good Roads, citing the fact that the town of Waupaca was pioneer in the movement of paying cash instead of the old way to accomplish results on road work.  Mr. Ware thought the city should see to the approaches and leading traveled streets before fixing certain streets to please aldermen or officials w ho reside on said streets.  He paid a compliment to Senator E.E. Browne for his work in road legislation and paving the way towards a constitutional amendment allowing the state to lend a hand in the coming plan of road reform.

            Mr. Browne offered a few timely remarks on the subject and called attention to the meeting at the Dane’s Home Opera House with an address by Prof. Ross at the close of this meeting.

            Mr. Krake gave a short but sensible address on the fallacy of patronizing Mail Order Houses.

            Mr. Alward who has been conducting experimental work in spraying for potato blight on Sam Chandler’s farm this summer told of the work there and invited the people out to see the results Saturday.

            Thos. Court in the course of the meeting told of two factories in neighboring cities that started in a small way which had grown to large proportions.

            A.D. Barnes moved that this association designate a National Potato Day, it was carried and a committee consisting of Messrs. Krake, Barnes and Holmes was empowered to attend to the matter and take into consideration an annual “Potato Bake Day” for Waupaca.

            An adjournment was taken to the Danes’ Home Opera House where Prof. Ross of the State University was introduced by Senator E.E. Browne who gave an interesting address on “The 20th Century City” closing with a plea for good school building, a Parks and Sanitation.

            His address covered a wide range of facts and figures showing the wonderful evolution which has taken place in recent years.  The electric liens, telephones and rural free delivery etc., having wrought many changes, the former having relieved the congestion of city population, the latter having brought the farmers in closer touch with city life and educational advancement.

            A vote of thanks was tendered the speaker.

            The Crescent Male Quartet opened and closed the meeting at the Opera House with choice selections which received commendable applause.