USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 21
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The membership of the Commercial club in 1908 included nine honorary and 437 active firms, or an active membership of 1,130 individuals. The membership of the club represents about 75 million dollars in capital. The Commercial club moved into its present (1908) quarters in the Board of Trade building, August 1, 1888.
A small group of business men met carly in the spring of 1898 to dis- cuss the formation of an organization that would foster and develop the young business interests of the city-a field somewhat different from that ocupied by the Commercial club. The first gathering led to another and finally a meeting was held, May 26, 1898, to perfect the desired association. C. A. Shepard, president of an oil company, called the meeting to order, and the talk of organizing the association that has proved to be a power in Kansas City, was begun.
Walter S. Dickey, who had been chosen temporary chairman, and John N. Powell, who had been elected temporary secretary, began their work. R. G. Weber suggested the name, "The Manufacturers Association of Kansas City, U. S. A.," and it was adopted. Thereupon W. J. Berkowitz, R. T. Neilson, R. W. Hilliker, A. M. Egbert, Walter S. Dickey, R. G. Weber, J. J. Heim, C. S. Morey and John H. Powell devolved the task of drafting the by-laws and articles of agreement. And in these by-laws and articles of agreement were included everything that could be suggested for the good of the organi- zation and the city.
" The purposes of the corporation shall be educational, social, fraternal and beneficial," the articles read. "It shall have no capital stock, and it is not organized for pecuniary gain or profit. Its aim shall be to promote the
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welfare of the manufacturing interests of Kansas City and its vicinity, and to contribute to the development and extension of such interests in all lawful ways; to encourage a deeper concern in and a better understanding of the importance of manufacture as a factor in our material development and pros- perity, and to further educate public sentiment in respect thereof; to collect and compile records, statistics and other information concerning manufac- tures, commerce and kindred matters pertaining to a proper understanding of the importance and mission of our common country, and to publish and disseminate the same; to establish a library of books, periodicals and other publications designed and calculated to inculcate patriotic disposition and to inspire a deeper interest in the subject of our manufacturing industries; to im- press just the equitable principles of trade, to foster the observance of the highest standard of commercial integrity; to animate the cultivation of social relations and intercourse between its members; to facilitate the speedy and amicable adjustment of business differences; to secure an interchange of views and concerted action relative to all matters affecting the commercial development of Kansas City and of the territory thereto; and, generally, to take such steps as may conduce to an expansion of the manufacturing interests of the United States, and thereby to emphasize the dignity and consequence of Imperial America among the nations of the Earth."
The first regular meeting of the association was held June 9, 1898, and these directors were chosen: G. L. Brinkman, J. R. Nave, R. G. Weber, Walter S. Dickey, J. H. Powell, C. S. Ullman, A. W. Peet, C. A. Shepard, W. J. Berkowitz, J. J. Heim, C. A. Murdock, A. M. Egbert, R. W. Hilliker, R. T. Neilson and C. S. Morey. The directors held a meeting the following day and elected Walter S. Dickey president. At the next meeting, June 23, 1898, W. C. Winsborough was elected permanent secretary. In selecting these two officers the association made an encouraging beginning. Dickey was re- sourceful and was able to overcome the early difficulties that beset the new association. Winsborough performed valuable services as secretary ; he proved to be a master of vexing detail.
Kansas City soon became aware of the existence of the new association. In a short time it became a strong factor in the development and growth of Kansas City. The activity of the earlier years of the association were confined to fostering the existing manufacturing industries and such civic questions as primarily concerned those institutions.
With the second year of the association-1899-00-came more work and a broadening of the scope of activity. R. P. Brinkman was elected presi- dent for that year and in his term of office a women's auxiliary was inaug- urated, giving the association a still larger field of labor. To these women Kansas City is indebted for much of the sentiment favorng a better, a cleaner
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and a more beautiful city. After accomplishing a good work, the women's auxiliary was dissolved by common consent in October, 1905.
The Manufacturers' association acomplished beneficial results by giving a " home products " show in Convention hall in 1901, to display the manu- factured products of Kansas City. The exhibition was given while W. J. Berko- witz was president. Another home products show, more successful than the first was given in 1902. O. V. Dodge was chosen president in 1902. The Manu- facturers' association consolidated with the Retail Merchants' association in 1903 under the name of " The Manufacturers' and Merchants' association," the name which the association now (1908) bears. J. J. Swofford was elected president of the association in 1903.
The Manufacturers' and Merchants' association accomplished an impor- tant work in 1904, the year of the World's Fair in St. Louis. It was the duty of Kansas City to make a display that would advertise the city and strengthen it as a commercial center. Through the efforts of F. D. Crabbs and J. H. Tschudy, the president, the "Kansas City Casino" was established at the fair. There it was that visitors were entertained. In the casino the beauties and advantages of Kansas City were made known.
James Donahue was chosen secretary of the Manufacturers' and Mer- chants' association in November, 1903, to succeed W. C. Winsborough. At the time of Winsborough's retirement, the board of directors showed its appre- ciation of his work by passing complimentary resolutions upon his services as secretary. Donahue was secretary two years. In 1905 he was succeeded by Justin A. Runyan, then Kansas City solicitor for R. G. Dun & Company. In his duties as solicitor for the mercantile agency, Runyan had been closely associated with the manufacturing and commercial interests of Kansas City. He was familiar with those interests and was capable of handling the business the Manufacturers' and Merchants' association must transact with them.
F. D. Crabbs was elected president of the association in 1905 as a recog- nition of his good work as chairman of the "Casino" committee at the World's fair. It was Crabb's first task to show the association that it needed finer and larger quarters. The rooms in use were insufficient for the work to be done and the association moved to better quarters, 1114 Grand avenue. Crabbs secured the offices, providing the organization with commodious club rooms, including the secretary's office, board of directors' room and a large andi- torium for meetings. At the time of Crabb's election, the contest for the nat- ural gas franchise was of especial interest in Kansas City. In his inaugural address, Crabbs insisted that the manufacturers and domestic users of natural gas should be protected, and that they should be able to buy gas at the lowest possible cost. As a consequence the Manufacturers' and Merchants' associa- tion used its influence in obtaining cheap fuel for Kansas City.
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Early in 1906, in Crabb's administration, J. A. Runyan, the secretary, suggested that a plan should be adopted for advertising the great possibilities of Kansas City as a manufacturing center. "The people in Kansas City know of these advantages," he said to Crabbs. "But how about the manu- facturers of other cities? Do they know the advantages of this place as a man- ufacturing center? We should advertise. Let the world know of the natural advantages of this location ; the cheap coal, gas and superior shipping facilities. They will come and help to build up the city."
The suggestion to advertise Kansas City was made at the next meeting of the board of directors. As a result A. A. Whipple visited Detroit, Milwaukee and many other cities on a trip of investigation, to learn how Kansas City compared with cities of similar population and resources. On his return, Whipple made this partial report of his trip, September 12, 1906:
" Kansas City must let the rest of the country know of her possibilities. In my recent trip in the North and Northwest, I found that cities of a size equal to ours are sending out agents through the East and Northeast to seek manufacturing and industrial firms. We must do the same-but our field must be the whole United States."
The result of Whipple's talk was a new interest in the work of adver- tising Kansas City. He was requested to make a more complete report of his trip and in the meanwhile- October, 1906-the annual election of officers was held. F. D. Crabbs was re-elected but he declined to serve because of the pressure of private business. George H. Tefft was elected president.
An important meeting of the Manufacturers' and Merchants' association with far-reaching effects was held November 26, 1906, early in Tefft's admin- istration. The resumption of navigation on the Missouri river, as a means of equalizing freight rates, was being advocated in Kansas City at that time. The members of the Manufacturers' and Merchants' association determined that no efforts should be spared in accomplishing that purpose. A meeting was called for the purpose of sending Congressman E. C. Ellis to Washington with strong endorsements and the support of business men of Kansas City, in an effort to induce Congress to make an appropriation for improving the Missouri river.
Almost every civic and business organization of Kansas City was repre- sented at the meeting. The request was made that fifty Kansas City business men go to Washington and place the claims of Kansas City for river improve- ment before the Secretary of War. At first it did not seem possible that fifty business men would leave their business long enough to make a trip to Wash- ington on such a mission ; but as usual the Kansas City spirit prevailed. The Manufacturers' and Merchants' association agreed to send and did send six- teen delegates and the other business interests of Kansas City sent twenty-nine
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delegates. This large delegation created a favorable impression in Washington and aided Congressman Ellis in his efforts.
The " City advertising scheme " especially appealed to Tefft and he made that plan the main feature of his year's work. At the annual meeting of the association, October 26, 1906, Tefft urged the necessity of taking some action. At that meeting Whipple read a full report of the trip to the North. The subject of the address was " Factories-What Kansas City Must Do to Get Them." Some suggestions were made in regard to the best plan for Kansas City to use in making known its advantages as a manufacturing center. Five thousand copies of the address were printed and distributed by the association. That meeting was the beginning of an awakening. The business men of the city began to realize that Kansas City must enter the municipal advertising field with Boston, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, San Francisco, Portland and other progressive cities.
Money was needed and the question how to obtain it faced the associa- tion. At the next meeting $10,000 was suggested as the amount needed for the advertising fund. Whipple said that there were fifty individuals and firms in Kansas City that would subscribe $100. That would mean $5,000 for the advertising fund. It was suggested that the other $5,000 could be obtained in smaller amounts. After further investigation the association decided that 100 individuals and firms in Kansas City would contribute $100 to the fund. Finally it was decided to ask the business men to contribute $20,000 to adver- tise Kansas City.
The civic bodies, the professional and the commercial organizations of the city, including the Commercial club, the Real Estate exchange, the Board of Trade, the Business Men's league, the Jackson County Medical society and the Kansas City Ad. club, met in the club rooms of the Manufacturers' and Merchants' association, June 6, 1907. The necessity of advertising Kan- sas City's advantages as a manufacturing center was urged by F. D. Crabbs, J. Logan Jones, W. S. Dickey, B. T. Whipple, O. V. Dodge, E. D. Bigelow, A. E. Hutchins, E. S. Horn, E. M. Clendening and others.
A. A. Whipple made an appeal for funds and $1,600 was pledged. The soliciting committee appointed at the general meeting began work at once. It was mid-summer, that time of year when business usually is at low ebb, but the $20,000 was secured, and more.
A publicity committee was appointed at the meeting of the board of di- rectors, August 13, 1907. George H. Tefft, A. A. Whipple, E. L. Howe, J. Logan Jones, A. P. Nichols, J. H. Neff and C. E. Gould were selected to plan the publicity campaign. Plans that called for a vast amount of detail work and investigating, were made. The committee learned that in other cities the work of publicity was confined simply to exploiting the particular city,
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without making comparisons. The committee decided to furnish statistics to show the superior advantages of Kansas City as compared to other cities. To do this required long, careful and faithful study and investigation. All of the members of the committee were business men. with business cares, but they found time for the new work. The committee met at luncheon, where plans were discussed and the statistics compiled.
Gradually the plans that at first were meager and unsatisfactory were brought to a focus. The Saturday Evening Post was agreed upon as the most desirable advertising medium, and accordingly a double page advertisement, showing the location of Kansas City, its railroads, and giving tabulated sta- tistics regarding the facilities afforded here, was printed. As a result of the advertisement, more than 3,000 requests were made for "Factory Facts," a booklet giving a detailed account of the natural advantages of the city. Re- quests came from almost every state in the Union, from Vancouver, British Columbia, British South Africa, England, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Ireland and even from China. The booklet, " Factory Facts," gave many items of interest concerning the advantages of Kansas City as a manufacturing cen- ter. These extracts are from "Factory Facts :"
" The manufacturing public is just beginning to realize Kansas City's great central location. Its great shipping facilities both by rail and water are above those of other cities-the possibilities in this line cannot be excelled. This question is of vital importance when considered in comparison with the New England cotton industries. In New England, it will take from two to five days for the freight to get from the factory to the trunk line which carries it to the markets. This problem is faced with in-bound and out-bound freight.
" Kansas City possesses the cheapest fuel for power purposes of any city in the country. Crude oil, gas and coal abound and can be obtained cheaply. We have water in abundance and of the best quality. Our labor is far above the average and this city has less labor trouble than any city of the same size in the United States, which shows our high class of citizenship.
" Another advantage to Kansas City manufacturers is the loyalty of the home people, who assist in every way to develop their home plants. One of the greatest inducements for a factory to locate in Kansas City is the great Southwest territory, which is almost a virgin territory, containing more than 20,000,000 persons of high standing, and increasing yearly at the rate of 1,000,000. What other city has such a territory behind it? Lastly, we do not want to forget Kansas City's parks, boulevards and homes No other city possesses as many good homes ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 in value, con- sidering the size."
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When Judge W. T. Bland succeeded George H. Tefft as president, in October, 1907, he continued the efforts for publicity for Kansas City. The publicity committee, appointed in the beginning of the campaign for fac- tories, was kept at work. More than 12,500 copies of "Factory Facts" and 7,000 copies of another booklet, "Better Lose the Factory Than Let the Factory Lose," were distributed to various parts of the world. As a result of the practical and comprehensive publicity plan, fostered by the Manufac- turers' and Merchants' association, many new factories located here, and the reputation of Kansas City as a business center was greatly increased.
The Business Men's league was organized January 30, 1906, with eighty- four members. The purposes of the organization are "to encourage and pro- mote the study of municipal, commercial and social problems-especially those relating to the welfare of Kansas City and its immediate trade territory ; to assist the educational, charitable and fraternal institutions of Kansas City ; to encourage honorable dealing between business men; to adjust business dif- ferences; to extend acquaintance and induce friendly and social relations between the members of the league; and to advance by all legitimate means the best interests of Kansas City."
The membership of the Business Men's league consists of three classes : Active, associate and honorary. Active members include individuals, firms and corporations engaged in any legitimate business in or near Kansas City. The associate members are non-resident and are not required to pay dues. Honor- ary members may be elected because of distinguished services or noted achieve- ments in their various lines of activity.
The Business Men's league took the lead, in 1908, in the movement to secure a better system of lighting for the down-town district. A committee appointed by the league made an exhaustive investigation of methods for street lighting in other cities of the United States, and then made recommen- dations to the city that were favorably received.
B. Howard Smith was president of the Business Men's league in 1906; J. W. McCoy was president in 1907. D. M. Bone, secretary of the Business Men's league, publishes an illustrated Annual Review of Greater Kansas City that has a wide circulation.
Dissatisfaction with the conduct of certain public officials in Kansas City led to the organization of the Civic league, November 29, 1901. The avowed object of the league was "to secure the nomination and election of aggressively honest and capable men to all city, township and county offices." These were the first officers of the Civic league: Judge Henry L. McCune, president; Elbert L. McClure, vice president ; Allan O. Harrison, secretary ; and Clarence E. Gould, treasurer.
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The Civic league was incorporated under the laws of Missouri January 11, 1902, with the following fifty directors for the first year: J. V. Kendall, William Carter, Ph. D., E. E. Richardson, H. M. Beardsley, C. S. Bishop, C. B. Dart, J. M. Love, Judge H. L. McCune, H. S. Boice, W. W. Adams, Dr. Matt. S. Hughes, T. K. Hanna, E. H. Gill, 1. O. Harrison, M. D. Scruggs, H. L. Harmon, J. W. Perkins, J. P. Townley, M. B. Wright, A. G. Trunbull, E. P. Graves, G. C. Smith, J. K. Burnham, William Volker, C. A. Pugsley, E. L. McClure, J. H. Waite, C. E. Gould, J. W. Jenkins, S. A. Pierce, Dr. Wm. A. Quayle, James B. Welsh, George W. Campbell, George N. Neff, R. L. Davidson, L. R. Moore, Edward E. Holmes, Dr. Henry Hopkins, W. F. Rich- ardson, D. D., Bishop E. R. Hendrix, Albert Marty, R. A. Long, Dr. Edward Schauffler, John L. Peak, W. R. Bernard, L. S. Mohr, ex-Governor T. T. Crittenden, J. F. Mister, G. W. Tourtelot and J. J. Swofford.
The method used by the league was similar to that of the Municipal Voters' League of Chicago. This system, briefly, is as follows: The league keeps watch on the records of local public officials, and before the end of their terms, and prior to the nomination of their successors, the league issues a public bulletin giving the records made by these officials. If this record is not satisfactory it is so stated and their retirement recommended, but, if good, their re-nomination and re-election usually is favored. After the nomina- tions are made the league investigates the character and fitness of the various candidates and issues another bulletin to the public, favoring those who are best qualified and opposing those who are not qualified.
At first the league had a special committee of six, three Democrats and three Republicans, to pass upon the qualifications of candidates, but in recent campaigns this work has been done by the executive committee, the members of which are usually about equally divided between the two leading political parties. The league has not found it difficult to find honest, high-minded men to unite in opposing or favoring candidates, regardless of politics, as the facts may warrant.
The Civic league started with a general membership of about seven hundred. The members are called together once a year. They elect ten members of the board of directors to serve for five years, ten directors retiring each year. Shortly after the annual meeting of the league the annual meeting of the board of directors is held. The directors hear and approve the annual reports of the secretary and treasurer. They also elect from their number the officers of the league, and in addition five members who, with the officers of the league, compose the executive committee of nine men.
The league, in 1908, had issued a report to the public on the fitness of candidates preceding each city and county election since 1901. There was evidence in each election that the information furnished by the league was
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appreciated by the voters. In many cases, men endorsed by the league have been elected, while men on the same ticket opposed by the league have been defeated. Republican districts often have elected a Democrat endorsed by the league, and Democratic districts have elected a Republican endorsed by the league. Perhaps the best service of the league has been the encouragement it has given competent men to run for public office and the discouragement it has given unworthy men. As a result the public service was improved in both city and county.
At the time of the organization of the Civic league, it was generally known that election frauds were a common practice in Kansas City. The league did not desire to be diverted from its one purpose of electing high class men to public office, but the members of the league were forced to take notice of election frauds. It was useless to influence men to vote for honest officials when their votes were being offset by fraudulent votes. In the county cam- paign of 1904, the league undertook to prevent and prosecute election frauds. The league sent about one hundred citizens to keep watch at the polls in the precincts where fraud had been common. It also employed lawyers to aid the prosecuting attorney in prosecuting all violations of the law. As a direct result of the league's efforts, six men were convicted; four were sentenced to the penitentiary for two years and two were sent to jail for the longest terms that could be given them under the law for the offenses of which they were guilty. The league did not lose a single case that it brought to trial. So far as could be learned these were the first men ever convicted of election frauds by the Criminal court of Jackson county.
When the Civic league was organized, some of the practical politicians scoffed and said the league would have little influence in public affairs. But when several campaigns passed, they found that the league had a wide in- fluence. Then they began to resent its interference in what they claimed as their prerogatives. They united their forces in the Missouri legislature of 1907 and forced through a bill that would disqualify the Civic league. This bill provided among other things that: "Leagues, committees, associations or societies incorporated or unincorporated, formed for the purpose of investi- gating the character, fitness of qualifications of candidates or nominees for public office and making reports on the same, shall in each and every printed or published report or recommendation as to such candidates or nominees, STATE, IN FULL, on what FACTS they base their report or recommenda- tion, giving the NAME and ADDRESS, IN FULL, of ALL PERSONS fur- nishing the information of and concerning such candidate or nominee, and STATE IN FULL THE INFORMATION FURNISHED BY SUCH PARTY."
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