USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 35
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BOARD OF TRADE
Immediately after the close of the Civil war in 1865, some of the progres- sive citizens of Omaha saw that there was likely to be a tide of emigration from the older states to the "boundless West," and felt that the time was opportune for the business men of the city to organize an association of some character for the purpose of calling attention to Omaha's advantages. The movement finally resulted in the organization of a board of trade, with Augustus Kountze as presi- dent, and E. P. Childs as secretary. Quite a number of the business men enrolled themselves as members. At that time the population of the city was probably a little below ten thousand and the interests and industries, generally speaking, were not of sufficient magnitude to awaken a thorough interest in the subject of cooperation for the city as a whole. The board of trade continued its work
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FARNAM STREET, OMAHA. IN 1915 Looking west from the Commercial Club
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for a few years, when a majority of the members grew lukewarm and the organi- zation died a natural death for want of adequate support.
Early in the year 1877 W. C. B. Allen, then publisher of the Commercial Exchange, a journal devoted to the business interests of Omaha, took upon him- self the task of organizing a new board of trade. At a meeting held on March 12, 1877, Andrew J. Poppleton was elected president and Mr. Allen, secretary. John Evans was elected president the next year, Mr. Allen continuing as secre- tary. In 1879 W. J. Broatch was chosen president and Thomas Gibson suc- ceded Mr. Allen as secretary. Among the presidents of the board of trade dur- ing its existence were: James E. Boyd, 1880-81; Hugh G. Clark, 1882; C. F. Goodman, 1883; N. B. Falconer, 1884; Max Meyer, 1885-86-87; P. E. Iler, 1888; Euclid Martin, 1889-91; Max Meyer, 1892; Euclid Martin, 1893-94-95.
Thomas Gibson, who served as secretary for six years, was one of the most active forces in building up the organization and increasing its usefulness. Through his influence the greater part of the money was raised to pay for the board of trade building at the southwest corner of Douglas and Farnam streets. In the beginning the membership fee was $25. Shortly after Mr. Gibson was elected secretary in 1882 (for the second time) he suggested that the fee be increased to $125 for new members, and that each old member pay an additional Sioo into the treasury for the purchase of a lot and the erection of a building. In 1884 the lot was purchased from the city for $+3,000-and the foundation of the building was laid at a cost of $10,000. The property was then mortgaged for enough to complete the five-story structure in '1885. When the new home was occupied the membership fee was raised to $500. By the constitution the membership was limited to 250 and that number was reached about 1889 or 1890.
For almost twenty years the board of trade was an active agent in the build- ing up of Omaha and the advancement of its"commercial interests. In limiting the number of members to 250 the founders of the organization did not take into consideration the probabilities of the marvelous growth that came to Omaha during the next twenty years. When the board of trade was formed in 1877 the population was between twenty-five and thirty thousand. In 1890, including South Omaha, the population was nearly one hundred and fifty thousand, and as only 250 could belong to the board of trade, there were many active business men who were not permitted to assist in its work or participate in its benefits. The attention of those men was drawn toward other organizations and the board of trade finally went down. The building on the corner of Douglas and Farnam streets was sold, and in 1915 it was purchased by the First National Bank, which erected a fourteen-story office building upon the site.
REAL ESTATE EXCHANGE
While primarily intended to advance the real estate interests of the city and immediate vicinity, the Omaha Real Estate Exchange did a good work for a few years toward the promotion of the city's material welfare and the advertising of Omaha's opportunities abroad. It was organized in November. 1886, by eight of the leading real estate firms and dealers. Alvin Saunders, former governor of Nebraska Territory, was elected the first president; John T. Bell, vice presi- dent ; David Jamieson, secretary ; J. W. Marshall, treasurer ; Frank L. Gregory,
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W. G. Shriver and J. S. Gibson, executive committee. The membership fee was $10 and the number of members was limited to twenty-five, though it was after- ward increased to fifty. After the payment of the membership fee all subse- quent funds were raised by levying an assessment upon the members, and it is said that every assessment was promptly met.
The first quarters occupied by the Exchange were at No. 1519 Farnam Street, but later the organization removed to a room in the Board of Trade Building. In the fall of 1889 the association was reorganized and leased a large room on the first floor of the New York Life (now the Omaha National Bank) Building. Here for several months meetings were held every day from II o'clock until noon, at which there was an open call of real estate offered for sale. These meet- ings were attended by all classes of citizens, particularly prospective buyers of Omaha real estate. Auction sales were held on Saturdays and at these sales a great deal of city property changed owners.
During the four years of its existence the Real Estate Exchange carried on an extensive correspondence with people in all parts of the United States seek- ing information about Omaha, its opportunities for the investment of capital in business enterprises, etc. It discussed all movements for the promotion of Omaha and gave aid in a practical and substantial way to those considered worthy. But after awhile the members, or at least some of them, lost interest in the work and in 1890 the association was disbanded.
REAL ESTATE OWNERS' ASSOCIATION
Not long after the Real Estate Exchange disbanded, some of the owners of city property began to discuss the advisability of forming an association to pro- mote their mutual interests. In June, 1891, the Real Estate Owners' Association was organized with George H. Boggs, president; John T. Cathers, vice president ; George P. Bemis, secretary ; Cadet Taylor, treasurer. As stated in the articles of association, the aims of the organization were "the upbuilding of the interests of the city, to encourage the location of new factories and other business enter- prises, and use all honorable means to secure for Omaha a good city govern- ment." Among the members of the association were many of the leading citizens and for several years it was a factor in advertising the advantages of Omaha to the people of other cities and states, aiding a number of plans for the general advancement of the municipal interests. Its quarters were in the New York Life Building, in the room formerly occupied by the Real Estate Exchange.
MANUFACTURERS' AND CONSUMERS' ASSOCIATION
This organization was formed in the early part of September, 1891. Some weeks before that a few Omaha manufacturers, after consulting with each other, issued a call for a meeting in the rooms of the Real Estate Owners' Asso- ciation. Among those who signed the call were D. Farrell & Company, refiners of syrup; P. J. Quealey Soap Company ; and the Rees Printing Company. Sam- uel Rees presided at the first meeting and L. M. Rheem acted as secretary. After an address by Hon. John M. Thurston, a committee was appointed to prepare a
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plan of permanent organization and the meeting adjourned to September 26, 1891.
At the adjourned meeting the committee reported in favor of an association to extend to all parts of the state and to be known as the "Manufacturers' and Consumers' Association of Nebraska." The report was adopted and the follow- ing officers were elected: W. A. Page, president ; I. S. Trostler, vice president ; A. J. Vierling, treasurer; H. J. Pickering, secretary. The last named resigned after a short service and was succeeded by A. D. Bradley. In May, 1892, the association was incorporated under the laws of Nebraska, with the above officers and the following board of directors: A. R. Dempster, of Beatrice; T. F. Hum- mel, of Fremont ; G. H. Edgerton, of Hastings; J. J. Bartlett, of Kearney ; H. J. Hall, Lincoln; Carl Morton, Nebraska City ; J. T. Robinson, Daniel Farrell, Jr., Samuel Rees, H. B. Mulford, Charles Metz, W. R. Drummond, C. P. Gedney, E. P. Davis, P. J. Quealey, Charles Coe, M. C. Peters, W. C. Smith, A. J. Rawitzer, J. F. Murphy, J. H. Evans, Aaron Chadwick, W. W. Cole, R. F. Hodgin, George M. Tibbs, H. F. Cady and C. W. Thompson, of Omaha. The president, vice president and treasurer were also members of the board.
The purpose of the association was to encourage the consumption of Nebraska products, as far as possible. It was organized on the theory that by building up the manufacturing interests of the cities, thereby increasing the population, a larger market would be afforded for the farmers of the state, which would enable them to purchase in larger quantities of the manufacturing establishments in the cities. To further this end an exposition was held by the association in June, 1892, at which a large number of the products of the state-both agricultural and manufactured-were exhibited and a general interest awakened in the work of the association. But in course of time it was discovered that, while the theory of mutual interchange was a beautiful one, it was not practical and the organization gradually went down.
COMMERCIAL CLUB
In a statement recently issued by the Omaha Commercial Club is found the following: "The Commercial Club of Omaha is one of the strongest and most efficient commercial bodies in the United States. Scarcely a dozen clubs have a larger membership and few, if any, show such a variety of genuine achievement at the end of each year."
A careful review of the history of the club bears out the above. The club was organized on June 30, 1893, by the election of Herman Kountze, president; W. A. L. Gibbon, chairman of the executive committee, and F. N. Clarke, secretary. The principal object of the club is to "stimulate, foster and protect the commer- cial and industrial activities of Omaha through cooperation on the part of its citizens." To accomplish this object the work of the organization is delegated in a great measure to the following standing committees: Banking and financial affairs, city health and hospitals, entertainment, finance, fruit marketing and development, good roads, grain interests, industrial, legislative, live stock and agriculture, manufacturers, membership, public and military affairs, public wel- fare, municipal affairs, pipe line and interurbans, railroad extension and improve-
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ment, retail trade, wholesale trade, river navigation, trade extension, water power development, new activities, and the house committee.
A glance at this list of standing committees shows the wide scope of the club's work, and that it is not confined merely to the city's business enterprises, but applies to industries that extend over practically the entire state. To quote again from the statement above referred to: "The new activities committee acts as the eyes and ears of the club, looks for new things that may be initiated, sug- gests new lines of activity for the various committees, as well as analyzing com- plaints and suggestions from the members at large. In this way the governing body of the club is continually in touch with its members and learns the attitude of the rank and file on various activities in which the club is engaged, as well as to determine the demand for activity along new lines. The membership at large is in the last analysis in absolute control of the club's affairs. Any act of the executive committee which meets with disfavor may be taken before the member- ship for referendum vote, by securing the signatures of 15 per cent of the club's membership."
Affiliated with the club are a number of auxiliary organizations that are inter- ested in building up the business concerns and public institutions of Greater Omaha. First of these is the Bureau of Publicity, which has for its special func- tion the securing of publicity for the city throughout the State of Nebraska and the United States. It also has charge of all matters pertaining to conventions held in Omaha, securing fifty-seven during the year 1915. Although closely allied to the Commercial Club, the Bureau of Publicity is supported without drawing on the club's treasury. On April 1, 1916, C. C. Rosewater was chairman of the bureau; Rome Miller, vice chairman, and E. V. Parish, manager.
Another auxiliary is the Traffic Bureau, which works in harmony with the club directorate by looking after the interests of the business men of the city in their relations with the railroads. Like the Bureau of Publicity, it is sep- arately financed, deriving its support from the large shippers, who receive the greatest benefits from its activities. This bureau is under the management of E. J. McVann.
The Omaha Manufacturers' Association is also directly affiliated with the Commercial Club and has representation on the board of directors and the execu- tive committee. This association is composed of the leading manufacturers of the city, most of whom are also members of the Commercial Club.
The governing body of the club is a board of directors consisting of seventy- five members, who are elected annually. Immediately after each election the board elects a president, secretary, treasurer and an executive committee of twenty-four members, to which the powers of the board are delegated. In order that the board of directors and the executive committee may be thoroughly representative in character, the members of those governing bodies are so selected as to insure a proper representation of every class of business men-bankers, grain dealers, the professions, merchants, etc., thus making it practically impos- sible for any particular interest to gain control of the chib and divert its influence to some special line of industry. This feature has been from the beginning one of the mainstays of the club's popularity and success.
In the matter of securing legislation by the state for the betterment or advance- ment of Omaha and her institutions the club has always taken a deep interest.
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HOTEL FONTENELLE, OMAHA
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This was especially true during the session of the Legislature in 1915, when the Commercial Club was directly responsible for the enactment of the law providing for the consolidation of Omaha, South Omaha and Dundee. It was also influen- tial in securing the appropriation of $150,000 for the benefit of the State Hospital and in other important legislation.
Other things that have been accomplished through the activity of the club are the placing of freight boats on the Missouri River between Omaha and Decatur, and more recently between Omaha and Kansas City; it was active in securing the building of the handsome Grain Exchange, at the corner of Nine- teenth and Harney streets; led the campaign for the purchase of the Auditorium by the city ; brought about the establishment of "Merchants' Market Weeks" in Omaha twice each year; aided in having the United States weather reports sent to almost every city of importance in the country for publication; and in the spring of 1916 it began a movement for the establishment of a Hay Exchange, to be conducted along lines similar to the Grain Exchange.
The club is likewise inaugurating a constructive policy for the development of the water power of the state; urging legislation for the establishment of a State Highway Commission ; conducting constantly an active and systematic cam- paign for the location of new industries and business enterprises in Omaha, in which it has been measurably successful; and endeavoring to attract the building of interurban railways that will connect Omaha: with the adjacent towns and the surrounding country, thus adding to the city's importance as a market center.
During the twenty-three years of its existence the Commercial Club has "learned how." From the time that it wielded its influence to seeure for Omaha the Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898, it has been engaged in constructive work, which has always been conducted with such persistence and intelligence that few such organizations in the Union can show as good results. The success of the club in whatever it has undertaken has attracted new members, until at the beginning of the year 1916 the enrollment was 1,650, and in the spring following a campaign was started to make the membership reach 2,000 before the first of January, 1917. The officers of the club on April 1, 1916, were: J. A. Sunderland, president ; H. F. Wyman, secretary ; T. A. Fry, treasurer; Robert H. Manley, commissioner; Randall K. Brown, chairman of the executive committee.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
In the city there are a number of special trade associations, each devoted to the advancement or conservation of some particular line of business. The Live Stock Exchange, the purposes of which are described in another chapter, was organized in 1889. On April 1, 1916, the officers of this association were as follows: G. J. Ingwersen, president ; W. B. Tagg, vice president ; A. F. Stryker, secretary and traffic manager ; E. P. Melady, treasurer. The Traders Exchange, the headquarters of which are at the Union Stock Yards, is similar in character to the above. James H. Bulla was president of this association in April, 1916: F. C. Kellogg, vice president ; C. F. Hantzinger, secretary and treasurer. The Builders Exchange, an organization devoted to the building trades, has its main office in the Barker Block, corner of Fifteenth and Farnam streets. At the beginning of the year 1916 J. J. Toms was president ; F. S. Hamilton, vice presi-
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dent; Clark Shelly, secretary; O. F. Nelson, treasurer. The Retail Grocers Association has an office at 679 Brandeis Theater Building, where the secretary, J. J. Cameron, is always on hand during business hours to look after the interests of the members, and the Retail Credit Men's Association maintains its head- quarters on the third floor of the Ware Block, at the southeast corner of Fifteenth and Farnam streets. At the beginning of the year 1916 C. E. Cory was president and F. L. Kernan, secretary of the Retail Credit Men's Association. There are a few other special trade organizations of this nature that might be classed as commercial bodies, but their operations are confined to individual lines of business and they do not exert a wide influence upon the commercial or industrial affairs of the city in a general way. Many of the members of these special associations also belong to the Commercial Club, where they find ample opportunity to work for the promotion of the welfare of Omaha along broader lines than in their trade organizations.
CHAPTER XX
TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPOSITION
BEGINNING OF THE MOVEMENT-THE BRYAN RESOLUTION-ORGANIZATION-BOARD OF WOMEN MANAGERS-UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS-FINANCING THE ENTERPRISE-GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS-OPENING THE EXPOSITION-SPECIAL DAYS-JUBILEE WEEK-PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S SPEECH- RAILROAD WEEK- FOREIGN EXHIBITS-THE MIDWAY PLAISANCE-THIE INDIAN ENCAMPMENT GENERAL MILES AND GERONIMO-MISCELLANEOUS.
The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, held at Omaha in 1898, was the outgrowth of the Trans-Mississippi Congress, which held its first meeting at St. Louis, Mo., in the fall of 1894. It was composed of delegates holding credentials from the governors of the states west of the Mississippi River and from mayors of the larger cities. The purpose of this congress was to discuss and secure the adoption of measures designed to promote the commercial and material interests of the region they represented. During the sessions various subjects were discussed, but the congress finally adjourned to meet in Omaha the following year without having accomplished anything definite as to methods to be pursued in advertising to the world the great advantages of the country west of the Mississippi.
In the latter part of November, 1895, the second congress assembled in Omaha. A committee of five was appointed to prepare resolutions and William J. Bryan, spokesman of the committee, presented the following :
"Whereas, We believe that an exposition of all the products, industries and civilization of the states west of the Mississippi River, made at some central gateway where the world can behold the wonderful capabilities of these great wealth-producing states, would be of great value, not only to the Trans-Mississippi States, but to all the homeseekers of the world; therefore,
"Resolved, That the United States Congress be requested to take such steps as may be necessary to hold a Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha during the months of August, September and October, in the year 1898, and that the representatives of such states and territories in Congress be requested to favor such an appropriation as is usual in such cases to assist in carrying out this enterprise."
After some discussion the resolution was adopted and the delegates returned to their respective states, where they went to work to carry out its intention. Thus the Trans-Mississippi Congress paved the way for the exposition which was held at Omaha from June to November, 1898. The citizens of Omaha formed a temporary organization, which was afterward made permanent, and in January,
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1896, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Association was incor- porated with a capital stock of $1,000,000, of which $553,415 was pledged by over six thousand stockholders. Gurdon W. Wattles was chosen president; Alvin Saunders, resident vice president ; Herman Kountze, treasurer; John A. Wake- field, secretary : and Carroll S. Montgomery, general counsel.
An executive committee was appointed, each member of which was placed in charge of a department, to wit: Zachary T. Lindsey, ways and means; Edward Rosewater, publicity ; Freeman P. Kirkendall, grounds and buildings; Gilbert M. Hitchcock, promotion; Edward E. Bruce, exhibits ; Abraham L. Reed, concessions and privileges ; William N. Babcock, transportation. On July 9, 1897, Mr. Hitch- cock resigned and the department of promotion was consolidated with that of publicity under Mr. Rosewater.
In the articles of incorporation it was provided that each state and territory west of the Mississippi should appoint a vice president. William Neville, of North Platte, was appointed vice president for Nebraska, and the following board of women managers was selected: Omaha-Mrs. W. W. Keysor, Mrs. W. P. Harford, Mrs. E. A. Cudahy, Mrs. Stella R. Feil, and Misses Anna Foos, Kate MeHugh, Alice Hitte and Orietta Chittenden; South Omaha-Mrs. E. B. Towle and Mrs. A. A. Monroe ; Council Bluffs-Mrs. Edith M. E. Reed and Mrs. Sarah C. Key ; First Congressional District-Mrs. A. J. Sawyer and Mrs. A. W. Field, of Lincoln; Second District-Mrs. Omar Whitney, of Elk City, and Miss Helen Chase, of Papillion; Third District-Mrs. D. C. Giffert, of West Point, and Mrs. Nettie K. Hollenbeck, of Fremont ; Fourth District-Mrs. K. L. Dutton and Miss Hattie Fyffe, of Hastings; Fifth District-Mrs. J. B. McDowell, of Fair- bury, and Mrs. F. Johnson, of Crete; Sixth District-Mrs. C. L. Kerr, of Ansley, and Mrs. Hattie Hunter, of Broken Bow. Mrs. Sawyer was chosen president of the board and Mrs. Frances M. Ford, of Omaha, secretary.
The United States Government also appointed commissioners representing the different departments as follows: J. H. Brigham, department of agriculture, president of the commission; W. H. Michael, state department : C. E. Kemper, treasury department; F. W. Clarke, interior department; Frank Strong, depart- ment of justice : J. B. Brownlow. postoffice department ; Captain Henry C. Ward, war department; Lieut .- Com. L. C. Logan, navy department; F. W. True, Smithsonian Institution ; William deC. Ravenel, fish commission ; Lieutenant H. C. Mclellan, life-saving station.
FINANCING THE ENTERPRISE
On January 3. 1896, Senator William V. Allen introduced in the United States Senate a bill "To authorize and encourage the holding of a Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition at the City of Omaha, in the year 1898, and making an appropriation therefor." The bill was referred to a special committee, of which John M. Thurston was chairman.
In the house of representatives Congressman David 11. Mercer, of the Omaha District, introduced a bill on February 17, 1896, making an appropriation of $500,000 for the exposition. This bill was not received with the favor that its author anticipated, some members of the house suggesting that the directors of the exposition pledge themselves to raise a similar sum. The directors sent word
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