History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 44

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Civic and Kindred Associations of San Jose-The Work of the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants' Association-One Hundred Per Cent Club and the Labor Organizations-Rotary and Civic Welfare Clubs.

The San Jose Chamber of Commerce is the successor in interest of the old San Jose Board of Trade. There was a board in 1874 but it was organized purely for commercial purposes. George B. McKee was president and E. H. Swarthout, secretary. The great- est problem with which it had to wrestle was the adjustment of the difference between gold and silver coin. In those times silver was at a discount of from one-quarter to three per cent, and to retail dealers this was a matter of considerable importance. They were prac- tically compelled to receive silver from their customers and to settle with the wholesalers on a gold basis. At this time, too, the trade

dollar came into circulation and tended to complicate matters. The board succeeded in putting all transactions on a gold footing. An attempt was also made to prevent the collec- tion of the merchandise tax which was then imposed. Money was raised by subscription to contest the collection in the courts. Before anyone was found willing to act as defendant in a lawsuit the board dissolved and the money was used to assist Edward Martin, a merchant of Santa Cruz, in a suit involving the same question.

A Board of Trade to treat with matters of general interest, was organized September 27. 1886, with the following directors: D. B.

240

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Moody, president; A. Friant, first vice-presi- dent: William Osterman, second vice-presi- dent ; Frank Stock, treasurer ; G. W. James, A. Barker, W. C. Andrews, P. Etchebarne, Jo- seph Enright. S. A. Barker was selected as at- torney and E. B. Lewis as secretary.

Early in 1888, at the request of many promi- nent citizens the Board took in hand the mat- ter of inducing immigration to the county. An executive committee, consisting of Dr. C. W. Breyfogle, A. Friant and J. H. Barbour, was appointed and for several months they gave almost their entire time to the work as- signed to them. They sent an agent to Los Angeles to meet Eastern people coming into the state by the southern route and spent much money in advertising the resources of the county, both in California and the East. The rooms of the board in the Bank of San Jose building were supplied with a fine exhibit of the different products of the soil and excur- sions from various points were brought to the city. So effectively was the work done that the "boom" came before it was expected. In August the rush began and in a week from its commencement the sales of real estate ran up to a million dollars and the county recorder was compelled to quadruple his force in order to take care of the instruments presented for record. Values doubled before the month was out and hundreds of acres of new land in the vicinity of San Jose were subdivided into lots and sold. Country land was cut up into five and ten acre tracts and during the season these tracts were planted in trees and vines. The wild excitement subsided after a time, but there has been a steady increase in values ever since.

One of the first propositions brought be- fore the board was that of building a mam- mothi hotel for the accommodation of visitors to the city. It had been advertised among tourists that San Jose had no adequate hotel accommodations for any considerable number of visitors, and although this was not true, it had the effect of keeping away many desirable tourists. The Board of Trade could not itself build the hotel, but it could and did, give the undertaking its active and moral support. Public opinion was practically unanimous in regard to the necessity of the enterprise and there were assurances that the capital stock would be promptly supplied. The question of location was most difficult to settle. It was . proposed that permission should be asked of the city authorities to place the hotel in the center of St. James Park, but it was soon as- certained that the city could not grant this privilege. Negotiations were then entered into for the purchase of the Morrison lots, at the northwest corner of First and St. John

streets, the intention being to erect a four- story block on the entire First Street front- age, from St. John Street to the Court House, Tyler Beach agreeing to turn in the St. James Hotel property to assist in the enterprise. In examining the title it was found that the prop- erty could not be alienated at that time, inas- much as it inchided the interest of certain minor heirs. For this reason the project was abandoned, but the movers in the matter did not abate their efforts. A stock company was formed and the old homestead property of Josiah Belden, on First Street near Empire, was purchased. It contained eleven acres planted as a park. The owner at the time of the sale was C. H. Maddox and it required $60,000 to make the purchase. With this ac- quisition the Hotel Vendome may be said to have originated.

The company was organized August 11, 1887. with the following board of directors: J. B. Randol, Dr. W. S. Thorne, Dr. J. S. Potts, L. Lion, C. W. Breyfogle, A. McDonald, T. S. Montgomery, F. H. Mabury and Gus Lion. The stock was placed at $10 per share in order that all who wished might assist in this great improvement. Enough of the shares were soon sold to warrant the commencement of the present magnificent building. The es- timated cost was $250.000. Afterwards addi- tions were made, bringing the cost up to over $300,000.

In the spring of 1887, the board presented a petition to the mayor and common council, asking that body to call a special election to decide whether or not the city should issue bonds to raise money for necessary public im- provements. Two elections for this purpose had been held before this, and on each occa- sion the bond proposition had been defeated. It was thought it would meet a similar fate now. The call was made, however, and the board, with the assistance of the press, pre- sented the matter in such an urgent manner that the bonds were ordered to be issued. From this action came substantial bridges, a new city hall, important improvements at Alum Rock and St. James parks, a perfected sewerage system and convenient crosswalks.

The first executive committee of the board resigned in June, 1887, at which time a new committee, consisting of Henry Phelps, N. Cadwallader and W. T. Adel, was appointed. This new committee took up the work where the old committee had laid it down and suc- cessfully carried it forward. A display of county products was made at the Mechanics' Fair, San Francisco, at the Iowa State Fair, at Columbus, Ohio, at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and at the San Francisco Mid- winter Fair.

241

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

In 1900 the board concluded to go out of business and let a new body, the present Chamber of Commerce, continue the good work. Much was done by the new body in the first years of its existence. New rooms in the old Music Hall building were taken and a renewed campaign of advertising was undertaken. The chamber was instrumental in securing appropriations for the State Nor- mal and the public schools, and in inducing easterners to settle here. It had a fine exhibit of county products both at the St. Louis Ex- position in 1904 and at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915. But it could have done more if it had not been handicapped by lack of money.

In 1919 it was resolved to undertake a de- termined campaign for money and new mem- bers. To make the venture certain of success there was in October of that year a reorgani- zation and the election of the following offi- cers: President, Joseph M. Parker; vice- presidents, John D. Crummey. E. N. Rich- mond; manager and secretary, Roscoe D. Wyatt ; assistant secretary, Fred Lewis Fos- ter : treasurer, W. S. Clayton. Directors-W. G. Alexander, Earle L. Bothwell, F. B. Brown, Jas. B. Bullitt, E. E. Chase, W. S. Clayton, John D. Crummey, A. D. Curtner, Arthur M. Free, Arthur E. Holmes, John D. Kuster, J. B. Leaman, T. S. Montgomery, Chas. M. O'Brien, Joseph M. Parker, E. N. Richmond. Members' Forum-Archer Bowden, chairman ; Mrs. D. A. Beattie, Warren B. Reilly, Henry M. Ayer, Walter G. Matthewson, E. O. Bill- willer, vice-chairman In 1921 President Parker resigned and Dr. E. O. Pieper was elected in his place.

There was a continuous campaign for mem- bers and by July, 1920, there were 1500 mem- bers on the roll. The result of the work of the new organization is seen in the number of important tasks it has undertaken and car- ried to success. It has induced two new in- dustrial organizations to locate here; it has induced the mayor and council to order the purchase of an automobile park on North First Street, and it has placed the water conserva- tion scheme on a working basis. It has also lent its active support to increasing the mu- nicipal revenues, so that San Jose will be en- abled to do the needed things the citizens so constantly demand.

Its program for the near future includes the adoption and carrying out of a comprehen- sive paving plan : the building of an intermedi- ate bridge to assist in the development of East San Jose ; co-operation with the board of education to maintain the highest standard of educational facilities, night courses, vocational classes and Americanization, and assist in 16

bringing about polytechnic high school facili- ties; the further development of Alum Rock and the advertisement of the superior medici- nal qualities of its mineral springs; the crea- tion of public sentiment in behalf of a central athletic field for varied sports and ample space for safe and comfortable ascending and alight- ing of airplanes ; a move for the early construc- tion of the Skyline Boulevard and for con- necting highways, to gain for Santa Clara County a further attraction for the tourist and to open up homesites of a type to invite the building of beautiful homes; the encourage- ment of home buying, the study of the indus- trial situation in San Jose and the selection of methods to induce new industries to locate in this vicinity.

In conclusion, it may be said that the pres- ent Chamber of Commerce, managed by "live wires," is looked upon, both in the community and outside of it, as one of the important, pro- gressive civic bodies in California.

The Merchants Association

The Merchants Association was organized in 1901, with Chas. M. O'Brien as president. Its influence began to be felt after its removal to its new and commodious quarters at 74 North First Street, on November 8, 1915. It took over the entire upper floor of the San Jose Abstract Company building. The rooms are used by the Merchants Credit Bureau for offices of the superintendent of the credit bu- reau, and the merchants' patrol, for a meeting place of the board of directors and for the sec- retary of the Retail Grocers' Association. There is also a tastefully furnished reception room for visitors.

The credit bureau is a model of efficiency and is being copied by other cities of the state. It is in a position today to give an almost in- stantaneous rating of every buyer in the county by means of a card index system. When a new buyer appears in a store and asks for credit the merchant gets into touch by telephone with the credit bureau, obtains a rating on the customer and almost immedi- ately knows whether it will be advisable to extend credit.

The idea of this institution was first worked out by private enterprise. The system was so meritorious that it was finally purchased by the Merchants Association, then reorgan- ized and developed into its present efficient basis by the capable superintendent, Capt. E. R. Bailey, a former member of the San Jose police department. It is stated that over 1,000 ratings are given by the bureau to its patrons every month. Captain Bailey, besides super- intending the department, is also in charge of the merchants' patrol system. Two patrol-

242

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

men are employed by the merchants to look after patrons' business places between sun- down and sunrise. These men walk beats and ring in at regular intervals to the night police captain. They are subject to the discipline of regular police officers, although they may be discharged only by the patrol committee of the Merchants Association. These men try the locks of business houses, look after lights, and are a protection against fires and burglars. The efficiency of their work is revealed by interesting reports which are submitted at regular intervals.

The association has found that the experi- ence obtained by Captain Bailey has been very effective in guarding against extensive opera- tions by bogus check men in San Jose. As soon as a bad check is discovered Captain Bailey is instantly notified and all the mer- chants are then warned to be on the lookout. Bad check men, as a rule, attempt to pass sev- eral checks in a town before getting out. The association is growing rapidly and now has a membership of 231. The officers are: War- ren Reilly, president; Karl Stull, vice-presi- dent : Robert R. Ayer, secretary, and Earl Bothwell, treasurer. The directors are W. B. Reilly, Henry Hirsch, Henry Hoff, Jay Mc- Cabe, W. C. Andrews, J. S. Williams, H. Mel- vin, Earl Bothwell, Karl Stull, Geo. Osen, G. H. Borchers, Walter Trinkler, J. Desimone, A. S. Appleton, N. A. Pellerano, Geo. Howes, A. B. Canelo, F. L. Foster, A. J. Hart.

The Rotary and Lions Clubs

The Rotary Club of San Jose, a branch of the national organization, was organized on May 22, 1914, with Henry Hoff as president and Alex. Sheriffs secretary. It consists of men selected from each district, business or profession and the aims are for the moral and financial betterment of the individual mem- ber, both in a practical way and a moral way ; the betterment of the members' crafts or pro- fessions as a whole; the betterment of the member's home, his town, county and state, and of the society in which he lives. For its members the Rotary provides activity which will extend their horizon of business experi- ence, stimulate their minds to travel in unfre- quented channels of thought; arouse them to service for others; help them to attain their greatest possibilities: make them leaders among men. On the practical side the Rotary activity provides an opportunity for increased business thoroughness by the establishment of cordial, intimate, friendly relations between members. On the ideal side the Rotary activ- ities provide members with codes of correct practices and high standards in business. The ideals are equally applicable to his personal

habits as well as to his business conduct. The Rotary's slogan is "Service, not self. He profits most who serves best." The Rotary has a distinct field of its own and is mainly educational in character. It is different from other organizations by its limited membership and by its active concern in the individual member and in the individual member's busi- ness and by placing on the members the re- sponsibility of awaking the respective crafts and professions to higher standards. At a meeting held on June 2, 1920, the following of- ficers were elected : President, A. G. Du Brutz ; secretary, Frank Baker ; Arthur E. Holmes, treasurer. Other directors --- Arthur Curtner, Geo. Parkinson, John D. Kuster, Seymour Kittredge. During the past year twenty new members have been added to the roll. In 1922 the officers were Dr. C. M. Richards, presi- dent ; E. O. Billwiller, secretary; Arthur Holmes, treasurer.

The Lions Club, whose objects are similar to those of the Rotary Club, was organized March 24, 1920, by the election of the follow -. ing officers : F. B. Brown, president ; Warren Reilly, vice-president; T. S. Montgomery, treasurer, and L. M. Simonson, secretary. Both the Lions and the Rotarians are lending efficient assistance to the Chamber of Com- merce.

The Civic Welfare Club

The Civic Welfare Club. of San Jose, was organized in November, 1919. The following officers were elected for the first term : Presi-' dlent. J. D. Crummey ; vice-president, Rev. A. W. Noel Porter; secretary, Josephine Rand- Rogers : treasurer. T. M. Wright: executive committee. C. S. Allen, L. D. Bohnett, Dr. N. H. Bullock, Chas. F. Crothers, J. D. Crummey. Herbert C. Jones, Rev. A. W. Noel Porter, Josephine Rand-Rogers, Clara H. Smith, Mrs. E. E. Stahl, Geo. S. Walker, Bert R. Ward, F. D. Wolfe. T. M. Wright. The constitution thus declares the object :

"The object of this organization will be to assist in maintaining the highest moral stand- ards in the political, social and industrial life of the community. It declares for a vigorous enforcement of all laws that are essential to the promotion of the general welfare, and it will act upon this declaration whenever the occasion arises. It will loyally support the earnest efforts of all officials to execute such laws. In primaries and elections it will en- deavor to ascertain the attitudes and stand- ards of candidates for offices, the incumbents of which exercise powers affecting the public welfare, and will give such information to the electors. Its method in all activities will be so far as possible constructive. It will always co-operate to the end that the community

243

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

may become united in the support of meas- ures affecting the public interest. In its po- litical activities it will be strictly nonpartisan. It will not use its influence to advance party or individual interest. It will strive to be an organ of intelligent, disinterested and progres- sive public opinion.

"No candidate at a primary or election shall be endorsed by this organization until a refer- enduin vote has been taken, and the returns show a majority in favor of such endorsement. The executive committee may also order a ref- erendum for its guidance on any matter, and ten per cent of the voting members of the organization may on written petition require the executive committee to direct a referendum on any proposed measure or action, and to abide by the result of such vote."

During the few months of its existence the society has directed its efforts toward the sup- pression of gambling and "blind pigs."

The 100 Per Cent Club

In the fall of 1918 the 100 Per Cent Club of San Jose was organized. It is composed of business and professional men and its objects are to promote business, advertise San Jose and Santa Clara County and boost every proj- ect looking toward city and county advance- ment. The members consist of one man in each line of business or profession and the club follows in many respects the program outlined by the Rotary Club. Every year it gives in San Jose a grand industrial exposi- tion, which attracts visitors from all parts of Central California. The opening exposition was held from May 29 to June 5, inclusive, and there was offered one of the most worth- while programs ever prepared in California. There were daily aviation races and stunt con- tests in which fifty fliers competed ; fireworks were turned loose from airplanes; three bands provided music and famous entertainers from the East appeared. In addition, there was a "Joy Zone," patterned after the famous ave- nue at the Panama-Pacific Exposition. The educational and business phases of the affair were the industrial exhibits, the machinery exhibits, the automobile and air shows and the government demonstrations of recruiting work. The officers of the club are: President, Paul Rudolph; secretary, Alvin Long; exec- utive committee, Z. O. Field, W. A. Mc- Donald, F. M. Ely, Claude Stutsman, William Horwarth, J. F. Stover, E. L. Simpkins, L. H. Elmer, L. Austin, Alvin Long, William Horst- man. The last named acted as manager of the exposition.

Labor Organizations

The free employment service in San Jose started up during the winter 'of 1915, when

there was an acute period of unemployment. A committee of citizens representing civic, fraternal and labor bodies, solicited the neces- sary funds and established a Rest House for the unemployed at a building on the Alameda and started service in the city hall to supple- ment the work done at the Rest House. The experiment worked satisfactorily and practic- ally eliminated the back-door solicitor and tramp. At the end of the winter the city au- thorities were induced to take over the work and under the new auspices it was continued with good results until April 15, 1918. No record was made of the calls and placements made during that period.

On April 15, 1918, the state established in San Jose, at 176 South Market Street, a branch of its regular employment service, un- der the direction of the State Labor Commis- sioner. This was in co-operation with the United States Employment Service, and the work was carried on as a state federal bureau until April 1, 1919, when the Government dis- continued all free bureau service except in the large industrial centers of the Eastern states.

Since that date the San Jose bureau has been operated as a state institution, having no con- nection with the Government except that it is allowed the franking privilege on all return postal cards and official correspondence. Since its establishment more than 20,000 employers have been served and more than 40,000 men and women have been placed in earning posi- tions. The manager of the State Public Em- ployment Bureau is George Moody ; assistant. Thomas A. Graham. The managers of the municipal bureau from 1916 to 1918 were M. Chestnutt and Dana Thomas. A. J. Rhein had charge of the bureau during that period, and during 1915-1916 Walter Henderson had charge of the Rest House.

The labor unions of San Jose are represented by the Building Trades Council. the Central Labor Council, and the Labor Temple Asso- ciation. The Building Trades Council, for building trades only, was organized in 1901. with Ed White as president and C. H. Harri- son as secretary. Other presidents were F. N. Smith, Wood James, Ed Lundy and T. A. Graham, who held office for seven years, and Fred Arberg. The present officers are Bert Rose, president, and J. F. Cambiano, secretary.

A short time after the Building Trades Council was organized the Federated Trades. afterwards the Central Labor Council, came into legal existence. It represents all the trades not covered by the other council. Be- fore its organization there were a number of labor unions, and the amalgamation came about through a desire for co-operation and concerted action. The officers of the Central

241

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Council are W. A. Wilson, president, /and George Bachelder, secretary. When the Y. M. C. A. got into financial difficulties and was forced to give up its fine two-story building near the northeast corner of Second and St. John streets, the two labor councils became the purchasers, paying $13,500 for building and lot. At the time of the purchase the La- bor Temple Association was formed. It con- sists of one member from each council. Louis Yates is secretary and manager. The affairs of the temple have been so well looked after during the eight years' ownership of the two councils that the original debt incurred has been practically wiped out. The business of the two councils is to see that labor receives its just compensation and that the interests of its members are properly taken care of.

The Progressive Business Men's Club was organized April 1, 1920. The objects are the same as the Rotary Club. The officers are: A. A. Zolezzi, president ; J. B. Hiatt, secretary. and F. W. Sinclair, treasurer. There are seventy-nine members on the roll.

Commercial Club

The San Jose Commercial Club, dedicated to the upbuilding of Santa Clara County, was organized in October, 1921. The objects and purposes, in detail, are to promote the civic, business and industrial welfare of the com- munity, to bring together upon common ground all existing organizations, to add the "personal touch" to business and professional relations, to supplement and amplify the work of existing organizations, to promote a closer business, professional and social relationship between San Jose and outlying communities and finally to develop broad qualities of lead- ership to insure steady, uninterrupted com- munity progress. The officers are: Dr. Ray- mond T. Wayland, president : Alex. J. Hart, vice-president : W. J. Cross, honorary secre- tary. The directorate represents the Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association, Auto Trades Association, Hundred Per Cent Club, Progressive Business Men's Club, Lions Club, Professions, Rotary Club, Press, Prune and Apricot Association, Packers, Realty Board, outlying sections.

In December, 1921, articles of incorporation of the Commercial Building Company, organ- ized to erect a modern class "A" office build- ing which will house the Commercial Club, were filed. The building will be located on the old Music Hall property on North First Street and will cost about $400,000.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 44

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934