Untitled Document

BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATIONS

By George H. Kingsbury

EARLY ORGANIZATIONS .

Since Rock Island assumed the rank of a city there has been at nearly all times some sort of organization of business men formed for mutual protection and the upbuilding of the interests of the community. The present Business Men's Association of Rock Island is confined strictly to these lines. Its membership comprises business men of nearly every class and professional men and manufacturers as well. An important work both for the members and the city is being done.

The Retail Mer chants' Association had its origin in an association of grocers which was broadened into the Rock Island Merchants' Mutual Protective Association. The latter was formed May 23, 1896, with eighty members, C. J. Long being president; Charles Oswald, vice-president; Wil liam L. Ludolph, secretary; E. J. Soumiers, treasurer and H. Krell. R. C. Benson and S. R. Wright, executive committee.

The particular object as defined in the constitution was mutual protection through the enforcement of collec tion laws. The headquarters of this organization were in the Odd Fellows hall. At the expiration of about a year, the association had ceased to be effective, and a meeting for the purpose of reviving interest was held at Turner Hall, and six days later another meeting was held at which E. J. Sommers was chosen president and S. R. Wright secretary. During 1898, Beselin's Hall was the meeting place of the association.

The state organization was affiliated with during this year, but once more interest seemed to decline,, and on January 30. 1899, another meeting was called, at Turner Hall, for the purpose of re-organization, and two days later, the Rock Island Retail Merchants' Association was born, with a charter membership of fifty- three, with George H. Kingsbury, president; George A. McDonald, vice-president; George Schneider, secretary; W. J. Pettel, director. The new association was a success from the start, and during the year increased the membership to 112. This association at once affiliated with the State Retail Merchants' Association, and delegates from here secured the an nual meeting of that body for February 13. 14 and 15, 1000. During one day in July all busi ness was suspended and merchants and friends went on a railroad excursion to Rockford, where the merchants of that city had made arrange ments for our entertainment. The next two following years, we visited Joliet and Aurora in the same manner. On May 14, 1900, E. J. Burns was appointed rating book secretary, the first book was issued early in 1001. and the greatest benefits to the association have come from the use of the credit rating office. Through the work of the association, the merchants dis continued the giving of premiums and adopted the advertising agreement not to purchase tickets or make donations except for charity, or to advertise iu programs or any other style of collective advertising except daily and weekly papers, unless it has the sanction of the advertising committee. This has saved our merchants more than the entire cost of membership.

In November, 1906, the name of the associa tion was changed to the Rock Island Business Men's Association, our membership was not con fined to retailers but was composed of all classes of business men. The scope of our work had broadened in that we were using our influence to secure factories, legislation and the city's general advancement, and it was thought proper to indicate all this in our name.

In 1910, immediately following the passage of the law by the legislature giving cities the right to adopt the commission form of government, the association took the initiative in a movement to have the new law adopted by our city, and was successful in having it passed by a large majority. In 1911, we decided that the association to do the work which was needed should adopt a sliding scale of dues for members to provide for necessary funds to carry on our work and it was not until July, 1912, that the scale was finally adopted, and went into effect August 1, 1912, it being as follows: Class A, $12 per year; Class B, $24; Class C, $30; Class D, $48; Class E, $60, and Class F, $120 per year. This allowed the proper expansion of the work and funds for new quarters which were taken at No. 513 Safety Building, with three office rooms, and one large meeting room. On May 15 a collection department for the collection of bad accounts was added as one of the features of the work, and this is proving to be of great value to the membership.

The roster of officers and term of office is as follows: President: George H. Kingsbury, 1809-1906; P. T. Myers, 1907-08; E. B. McKown, 1909-10; M. H. Sexton, 1911; H. A. Clevenstone, 1912-13. Vice presidents: G. A. McDonald, 1899-1900; W. J. Hess, 1901-03; J. M. Schaah, 1904-05; Fred Young, 1906-07; W. E. Bailey, 1908; H. A. Clevenstine, 1009-10; C. TV. Horton, 1911; M. S. Heagy, 1912-13. Recording secretaries: George Schneider. 1899-02; E. B. Stone, 1903-04; R. W. Lament, 1905-12. Rating secretaries: E. J. Burns, 1900-03; W. C. Mancker, 1904-06; Albert Huber, 1906-09; Charles Goff, 1910-11; Miss Huber, 1911-12; George H. Kingsbury, 1912-13. Treasurers: W. J. Moeler, 1S99-1900; E. B. McKown, 1901-07; F. J. Hodges, 190S; E. B. Kreiss, 1909-13.

In January, 1913, the offices of recording and rating secretary were combined.

BENEFITS

Among the benefits accruing to a member as the result of definite and united effort was the wiping out of the trading stamps evil, premiums, prizes and presents, chance contests and kindred propositions which cut into profits and compromised honesty. Fair dealing was emphasized with the trade, and good fellowship encouraged between merchants. As a result of this, the association advocated free bridges over Rock river, good roads leading out of the city, better train service into tlie city, supported measures proposed by the state association, and sent representatives to the legislature at Springfield in the interest of bills favorable to our business house.

Today the association is looked upon as a leading factor in the promo tion of better business methods in civic matters. Its membership is made up of the best men and firms of the city, and its counsel and influence is sought by promoters of greater Rock Island.

MOLINE RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

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