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SCENES IN CLUB, AND PORTRAITS OF -SOME OF THOSE WHO BUILT IT
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THE 3IOKXIXG OKEGOXIAX, SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1908.
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History and Growth
of Club
K. .T. D. Hurt Was KIr.t Prraidrnt In
1M3, nod Names of Some of the
Charter Member Are Still Prom
inent on Rolls.
PROBABLY the most effective organi
sation of its kind in the country to
day, the Commercial Club, Is com
paratively new. Bound by no traditions or
out-of-date methods, it Is following new
Ideas and is making such progress that it
is fully abreast of the times. Its mission,
along publicity lines. Is to create a
wider knowledge of Portland and the
Pacific Northwest and to build up the
commercial interests of this section of
the country.
The Commercial Club was founded on
February 15, 1S93. The following board
of directors formed the Incorporators
of the organization: President, E. J.
DeHart; vice-president, P. Lowengart;
secretary, F. K. Arnolrt; treasurer. It. L.
Durham: J. McCraken. Charles F. Beebe,
A. H. Mallory. Ben Selling. D. D. Oli
phant, M. G. Hall, Gus Simon. E. D.
McKee, H. E. Battin, Eugene X). White
and Whitney L. Boise.
Past presidents of the club are: E. J.
DeHart. Gus Simon. Whitney Tj Boise,
E. T. Williams, Charles F. Beebe, H. M.
Cake and F. W. Lieadhctter. C. W.
Hodson is the present incumbent. Tho
members of the organization fully ap
preciate the work of these leaders of
past years, -who kept the club together
flurlng the most difficult years, when
Elmilar organizations went to pieces,
not only on this Coast, but In the cities
of the East as well.
The original name of the organization
was the Commercial Club, but with the
organization of the executive committee
In 1904. supplementary articles of incor
poration were tiled, with the riame
ihanged to the Portland Commercial Club.
The executive committee consists of the
fallowing prominent br.siness men: Theo
dore B. Wilcox. William M. Ladd. A. L.
Mills. Robert Livingstone. T. D. Honey
man, J. C. Ain'sworth. J. Fraiik Watson,
Walter F. Burrell and I. N. Fleischner.
There, have been only two changes in
this committee since its organization,
Robert Livingstone succeeding W. J.
Burns and T. D. Honeyman taking the
place of Allen Lewis.
The following comprise the Board of
Governors: President, C. W. Hod'on;
vice-president. R. L. Durham: treasurer,
Edward Ehrman; secretary, E. L.
Thompson, and W. B. Glafke. B. H.
Trumbull, J. R. Wetherbce. E. II. Mc
cracken,' F. Dresser, Hugh McGuire,
John Annand. A. M. Smith, R. D. In
man, R. F. Prael and Slg Sichel.
The fire, which destroyed the club's
comfortable quarters on the top floor
of the Chamber of Commerce building
Dn April 6. 1S06, brought dismay to
the hearts of many members, but it de
veloped that the apparent calamity
was a blessing in disguise. Such pro
gress was made in the work of building
a new home that would be owned by
the club that the corner-stone was laid
on June 12, 1907, and the organization
moved Into the new building May 1,
1908.
It is the belief of those In close touch
with the work of the club that it has
reached a higher point of effectiveness
than any other similar organization in
the country. During the life of the
club, It has carried on any number of
movements, all for the common good of
the people of this community and state.
To enumerate these undertakings
would require more space than is avail
able, but the club has always been ac
tive and many benefits to this section
of the country are directly traceable to
Its work.
The daily luncheons of the c'ub are
Interesting functions, a large number
of business men being present every
noon. It is said that a larger number
if club members attend these luncheons
daily than any business organization
west of the Rocky Mountains car. show,
and it may be doubted if any members
of any similar club anywhere show
the interest in the work of the organi
zation that the members of the local
:lub manifest.
At the laying of the cornerstone of
trie new building, on June 12, 1907,
speakers made predictions of the com
ing growth and usefulness of the club.
These predictions, glowing though they
were, are already being realized in the
work of the organization.
CLUB OPENS ITS
NEW HOME
Continued Prom First Page.
Club is generally believed to have the
largest daily attendance of any popular
commercial body in the United States.
Rapid Growth of Club.
The hospitable nd Informal character
of the management of the Club makes
the people of the smaller cities of the
state feel sure of a welcome as it is the
commercial clearing-house for all such
bodies in the state. During the past 18
months, the membership has increased
more than 50 psr cent and the nonresident
list includes prominent Oregonlans from
all parts of the state. Among guests of
the Club are men prominent in every
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walk of life who visit the Pacific Coast.
So widespread is the publicity work
carried on by the Club that inquiries .have
come from every country on . the globe
and in every lunguage. Two and three
tons of mail are frequently received in a
single day as the result of the extensive
advertising of this city and the state.
The executive commutes of the Club
represents the heaviest business interests
of the city and the members are always
in attendance at the meetings. The chief
object of the Club is, of course, the up
building of Portland and the Pacific
Northwest and the Club has always been
anxious to use its influence on behalf
of any community in this part of the
United States.
Brought Coast Cities Nearer.
No other club has given so many busi
ness men's excursions Into the surround
ing country as has the local organization.
During the past two years, special trains
have carried Commercial Club members
to other Coast business centers and Ihes3
trips have had a decidedly beneficial ef
fect in creating a better Coast spirit
among the cities and their psople.
The new assembly-room at the Club Is
the meeting place for all kinds of com
mercial gatherings of state and Coast
organizations. Five conventions have al
ready been held in the hall during the
first two weeks of the Club's occupancy
of the new building.
In his address last night, President Hod-
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son reviewed briefly the history of the
Portland Commercial Club and told of its
work in the past and its plans for the
future. He said:
Speech of President Hodson.
We have met this evening to celebrate In
a formal manner the completion and open
ing of our palatial new home. I deem it
fitting in this connection briefly to review
the history of our club.' to the end that
those who have Joined with us recently may
know somewhat of the efforts made to pro
duce tho results you Fee before you.
The initial move looklns toward tho
organization of this club was made by
David M. Dunne, now United States Col
lector of Internal Revenue, after a trip to
the East, where he was entertained by the
Commercial Club of ijt. Paul. Primarily
the business feature was predominant. Other
clubs afforded social facilities sufficient for
the needs of the' city at that time, hence
the name "Commercial." which was se
lected by the founders of our Institution,
was Intended to convey to every ono the
central Idea, sought to be carried out.
A meeting was held in the office of W.
S. Mason, who was then Mayor of the city,
at the corner of Second and Ash streets,
where the city officers were located lr.
leased quarters. Those attending, besides
Mr. Dunne, were E. J. De Hart. W. S.
Mason, A. H. Mailory. Gus Simon, Phil
Liowengart and M. U. Hall. The question
was discussed In all Its details, and the
conclusion finally reached that the club
should be formed. The necessary prelimi
nary steps were taken, and active work
begun.
Spacious quarters were provided on tbs
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top floor of the Chamber of Commerce build
ing, which were sumptuously furnished,
ample provision being made for the enter
tainment of the members and the club was
successful from the start.
, Takes l'p Larger Work.
It was during the incumbency of Mr.
Cake as president that the larger work of
the publicity department was taken up.
This feature has made a lasting name In
the history of the state for the Portland
Commercial Cluh. In conjunction with
leagues formed in the principal cities and
towns, Oregon's fame has teen heralded
throughout the civilized world.' The bene
ficial effects of this effort have been stronaiy
reflected in our large increase in population
during the past five years, and has demon
strated conclusively that the club .has a
field of usefulness peculiarly its own. aside
from catering to the personal comfort of its
members.
On April 6. 1906. fire consumed practically
every vestige of the club's possessions, and
caused the death of Homer H. Halleck, one
of Its most active members. At the height
of . Us . prosperity and usefulness, its gov
ernors suddenly found it' without a home,
and with no suitable quarters cvatlable in
which to begin the work of rejuvenation.
However. beore the fire was wholly ex
tinguished, a hastily called meeting of the
board was convened and arrangements for
temporary domicile were made with the
owners of the building on the Aorthwest
corner of Sixth and Alder streets.
It was at this jyerlod that the Gplendld
judgment and energy of the executive 'offi
cers was shown. Knowing the utter futility
of. "an attempt to continue the work of the
club in such quarters as It then occupied,
F. W. Leadbetter, president, called a meet
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ing of the members.
at which he prn
osed the purnhase of property and erection
y the club of a ' suitable building for a
permanent home. As an earnest of his con
victions as to the advisability of the move,
he announced his willingness to head a sub
scription to the proposed bond Issue with a
substantial amount. Backed up by the
further advocacy of this move by Theodoic
H. Wilcox, than whom no more loval friend
the club ever had. the plan at once trok
shape, with tho result that a Lullriing asso
ciation was incorporated, stock subscribed,
bonds Issued, land i,urchased. and within
a year and a half from the time the move
was first Inaugurated this si.lendld struc
ture was completed and furnished for your
entertainment and enjoyment.
How Building Wns Krected.
To Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Leadbetter is
due most of the credit for this proud
achievement, though to- those loyal, faith
ful believers In the club and its future,
who furnished the tuik of the funds and
the Inspiration for the completion of the
work, full acknowledgement must be made.
As the enterprise stands today It repre
sents an outlay . of over $400,000. all
financed within the club's membership, an
achievement not equaled by any other simi
lar organization in the world.
Gentlemen, this is your club home. The
building association, and members of your
board of governors, who have labored faith
fully In your behalf, bid you welcome. May
It be a Joy to you throughout the years
to come, and may the club fulfill the noble
mission, the good of our beloved state, upon
which It has embarked. .
Music was furnished last night at the
house-warming by Bailey's orchestra. The
flowers used In decorating the rooms were
donated by F. Vanduyn, C. C. Smith and
Ij. Samuels.
President Hodson read a telegram of
congratulation and best wishes from
Rufus P. Jennings, San Francisco, chair
man of the California Promotion Com
mittee. A letter was also read from E.
J. DeHart. first president of the club,
who regretted he could not be present.
Karly Struggles of Club.
General C. F. Beebe, president of the
club during two different periods, ex
tended his greetings to the organization
for its Bplendid accomplishments and told
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of the early struggles of the club. He
said it seemed scarcely conceivable Y
years ago that the club would have sucl.
a splendid home of its own. "I con
gratulate you.'' said General Beebe, "on
the results accomplished and I wish you
God speed in the work. '
F. W. Leadbetter. who was president
of the club at the time of the fire that
destroyed the quarters in the Chamber
of Commerce building, spoke briefly of
what the club has accomplished, and
what It mav do in the future. "The
success of this organization has been
entirely natural' he snld. "The mem
bership has been such that it Is bound
to succeed. I do not know how it la
possible for such a club not to suc
ceed, with its splendid membership' and
such a strong board of governors. We
have now an organization of over 1200
members. There Is hardly anything
this club could not undertake. It could
build a railroad from Portland to Salt
Lake City. It could put a line of
steamers on tho Upper River. I am
certain of this, for the members havo
shown what they can do. All that is
needed is a definite object. '
Theodore B. Wilcox, chairman of the
executive committee, told of the financ
ing of the club's building and expressed
bis gratitude to the architect, Ion Lewis,
for his work. He characterized the club
building as a monument to the business
men who form the club. "When Mr.
leadbetter promotes that railroad to
Salt Lake City," he said. "I want to have
the privilege of subscribing to it. I pre
dict that within ten years the club will
own this property free from debt, and
by that time it ought to be a $1,000,000
property."
Great Growth Is Predicted.
Whitney L. Boise, also an ex-president
of the club, spoke of the work of the
organization in the past and of what the
organization" is bound to accomplish in
the future. He paid a tribute to Gutf
Simon, one of the early presidents, who,
he said, worked like a beaver for the
success of the ciub, and without Mr. Si
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mon's efforts the club would hardly hav
naintained its existence. He predicted
hat the time will come when the country
tributary to Portland will have a popu
lation of 66.000.000 people.
Colonel James Jackson, one of the
earlier club members, was introduced
by President Hodson, and spoke brief
ly of the accomplishments of the or
ganization and the development of this
section of the country within his own
lifetime. "If the city of Portland." he
said, "showed the spirit that built this
club, it would be far ahead of what it
is today."
Upon the conclusion of the speech
making President Hodson invited the
company to visit tho main dining-room
on the top floor, where punch was
served throughout the evening and
where a handsome .spread had been
served on a long table reaching the
whole length of the room: Steward
Eugene May. assisted by his chef, Hen
ry Bendele, formerly of Hector's. New
York City, had done their best work
for the occasion, and the sight called
forth exclamations of delight from the
members of the club.
A tempting array of edibles had been
arranged, consisting of Oregon turkeys
roasted, stuffed with chestnuts, boars'
heads, saddles of fat Oregon muttons,
hams cooked In champagne, huge sir
loins of beef, innumerable gelatine
forms of vegetables and minced chick
en, while the center of the table was
graced by a 60-pound royal Chinook
salmon, baked whole and handsomely
decorated with pastry trimmings. In
addition there were all kinds of rel
ishes, sandwiches, salads and fruits.
Light Bill Cut Again.
The city executive hoard, at Its meet
ing yesterday ttftcrnoon again cut tht
monthly bill of tho Portland Railway,
Light & Power Company, for May elec
tric lighting, from S2S7 to K403. This li
belng done regularly now. owing to the
fact that the board alleges the corpora
tion is not furnishing the candle-powei
called for in its contract with the city.