USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 38
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troversial questions, upon which the membership may be seriously divided, must be ignored. In some organizations, for instance, it would be unwise to take a position on questions relating to woman's suffrage, prohibition, an eight-hour work day, ete., while in others it would be feasible to do so. Ilere an organization must, in a measure, be guided by a considerable fraction of that membership, if it is to maintain its identity and continued usefulness.
"11. There is no purely commercial or selfish basis upon which a com- mercial organization can consistently urge its members to civie activity. On the accepted basis that good citizenship implies an active interest in civic progress, and that good government does contribute to the material advance- ment of the community, the commercial organization can foster an active interest in all that will make for better life and living. To foster such inter- est purely from the standpoint of commercial gain, without striving also for the blessings which eivie progress confers, would be unworthy of the American business man."
Competition versus Rivalry in Business .- In striving for higher business standards the Association of Commerce enunciated the following :
"One of the main purposes of organization for the promotion of trade and commerce should lie in the substitution of wholesome competition for ruinous rivalry, and thus ensure stability as well as security and honor in business enterprise. Those seeking mutual advancement for the seller must also recognize the interests of the buyer. The consumer has rights which the producer and dealer mmst respect. The adjustment must be found in honest competition, not in dishonest rivalry. The objects therefore which shouldl guide organization for the mutual advancement of those engaged in trade and commerce must include certain fundamental considerations.
"Those identified with a calling or an interest should primarily seek to dignify the same. Every member should become inspired with the ambition to direct his activities upon standards that will stimulate pride and command the respect of his fellowmen; to strive for higher aims and purposes. Every man may contribute something, by word or deed, to the general advancement of society. The work of the blacksmith is no less honorable than that of the banker if he will but make it so; the vocation of the mechanic as well as that of the merchant, be it salesman or savant, tailor or tutor-all, in their own spheres, may attain an honorable usefulness.
"The abuses which from time to time creep into our commercial life must be corrected. A checking influence is wholesome in every calling. In their contest for gain individuals are apt to lapse into errors and abuses which may be selfishly advantageous but extremely harmful to the many. These are best eliminated by pointing them out and thus making them unpopular. Diseus- sion w ll tend to sift the desirable from the undesirable, the worthy from the unworthy.
"The effort for mutual advancement is laudable. Here it is not meant the formulation of combinations designed to control prices or restrain trade. These are to be discountenaneed. But, it is held that methods and means may be standardized so as to insure a higher degree of efficiency and business in- tegrity.
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"Cordial relations should be fostered. The eloven footed competitor is usually the man who is personally unknown to us. A closer acquaintance with him frequently reveals a genial human being. The social contaet between competitor and competitor has the tendency to change hatred into friendship and transform bitter rivalry into fair competition."
An Industrial Exposition .- The most comprehensive exposition of Milwau- kee-made products ever presented in the city was made under the auspices of the Association of Commerce on September 2-12, 1911, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization.
The association records contain the following interesting description of this remarkable demonstration of the production ability of the city.
The inception of the exposition was prompted by a desire to emphasize in some dignified and at the same time useful manner, the fiftieth anniversary of the association. Inquiry as to the average life of commercial bodies had revealed the fact that the attainment of a half century mark in their existence is indeed rare. Few of the commercial organizations of the leading cities of the country can point to a record that will compare in point of age and useful service with that of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association.
But, if the service rendered had been nominal in character the longevity of the association in itself must be considered unique as well as unusual. The fact, however, that the association has an honorable record, has had from time to time identified with its activities the best men which this community has produced, and has certain distinctive achievements to its credit, rendered the anniversary per.od more important and significant.
Sentiment and Practicability .- It therefore remained for the organization to turn a matter of sentiment into a useful reality and to express in some tangible form the achievement of a given period in the history of the city. *
Upon approaching the subject of a celebration that should express in an appropriate manner the successful conclusion of an important period in the flight of time, it soon developed that the projectors were not dealing merely with the anniversary of an association but the most important period in the history of the city.
The thought soon grew that during the past half century the city had grown from a modest village into a great metropolis, an unimportant com- munity to an important, thrifty and progressive population unit. Those in charge awakened to the realization that years of intelligent toil of enterprise and energy had wrought wonders and that the community had achievement- to its eredit of which any American city might well be proud.
The exposition idea assumed a new phase and met with the enthusiastic approval of both press and public. It was soon realized that while the com- mercial spirit may have been the primary incentive in the display of the home products, that the renewed civic pride which they aroused in the community and the educational influences which they excited, had a specific value. It brought the e tizenship to an appreciation of itself and its mission and excited an enthusiasm in, and ambition for the future.
An Important Anniversary .- That the anniversary period of the associa- tion could not be passed over in silence and inactivity was apparent, but tha:
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there were several ways of giving emphasis to the event was equally elear. That the exposition was the best means, however, of giving useful expression to the event may now no longer be questioned.
With a building like the Auditorium, the installation of an exposition of a certain seope was not only feasible but eminently practical. The building which was conceived and brought into realization by the association, con- templated the housing of industrial exhibits as well as to serve other public functions.
It remained, therefore, to plan a series of exhibits which should prove a fair index of Milwaukee's industrial importance and at the same time accom- modate them to the facilities at command. The earlier plans which were under consideration contemplated a much larger exhibit, involved a heavy administration expense in the employment of exposition experts and pro- vided for an undertaking which increased the financial risk almost tenfold. Experience would now indicate that the larger scheme could not have been carried out without inviting failure and inenrring a financial loss. The condi- tions in the manufacturing field have not during the past year (1911) been so promising as to prompt general support among the manufacturers of the city.
The exposition, therefore, was eonfined to the space now afforded by the Auditorium, and all plans for additional buildings were discarded. The estimate of expense was held, or aimed to be held, within the sum realized from the sale of exhibit space, thus guarding against a deficit and placing the pro- jeet upon a sound financial basis.
Administration of the Exposition .- The experience gained by other cities in the planning and management of industrial expositions was applied and the services of the executive officers and members of the association were drawn into active service. In this manner the employment of expensive expert serv- iees was avoided and the financial risk of the enterprise held to a minimum.
The association employed no solicitors and paid no commissions. The addi- tional help which was employed served in the administrative labors only. Mr. A. G. Nicoud, the assistant manager of the Auditorium, who was em- ployed as manager of the exposition, gave the greater part of his time to the work of soliciting of exhibit space and in directing the installation labors. Secretary Bruce assumed the general direction of the exposition and the pre- paratory labors involved in the projeet.
Thus the administration of the exposition was at all times kept upon a self-sustaining basis. At no time were the funds of the association drawn upon. The part payments made upon the exhibit space covered the current administration expenses, while the final payments almost met the entire cost of installation. The receipts at the box office met the remainder of the expense and provided the surplus. The exposition attracted nearly eighty-five thou- sand visitors and yielded a net return of over $11,000 into the treasury of the associal'on.
Plan of Installation .- In approaching the subject of a plan for the installa- tion of the exhibits it was proposed to provide a general classification of in- dustries and then a special grouping of products. While the management
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succeeded in preserving the general classification. it failed in securing the grouping of exhibits in the manner desired. It was found that in some in- stances certain manufacturers objected to becoming exhibit neighbors to their competitors. Here concessions and compromises had to be made in order to get the exhibits.
The grand divisions were made with a due regard to the industries which lead and which are characteristic of Milwaukee. Thus was pro- vided a Mechanies Arts section, a Leather and Garment section, a Brewing section and a Food Prodnets seetion. While these enabled classification of all the exhibits it was impossible in all instances to avoid inconsistencies. But. as already stated. these inconsistencies were in a large measure unavoid- able inasmuch as expedieney and prompt action were just then more im- portant than exacting rules.
The Educational Exhibits .- Some weeks before the exposition opened. negotiations were begun with the school authorities regarding an educa- t'onal exhibit. The School Board was notified that the policy of the management aimed to emphasize the educational phases of the Exposition. and that in this direet on the cooperation of that body was sought.
The board was not only requested to place classes in manual training and domestic science, but also to provide an arrangement by which the pupils of the upper grades and the high schools could visit the Exposition accompanied by their teachers during the regular school honrs. The re- quest was favorably received by the board and instructions given to install classes from the elementary to the advanced, illustrating the work done by the schools in the branches named. To these classes were added de- partments from the School of Trades covering carpentry and joinery as well as plumbing and some machinery work. Thus, nearly one hundred and fifty pupils were employed in class work each day. During the after- noon pupils if accompanied by their teachers, were admitted regardless of age at an admission price of 10 cents. The regular price of admission for adults and for children over the age of ten was 25 cents.
The number of children who visited the exposition warrants the state- ment that educational purposes of the enterprise were fully met. In this connection it should be added that Superintendent Pearse and the School Board readily appreciated the value of the exhibits as an educational factor, and lent their hearty cooperation towards utilizing the same.
Engelmann Hall, in which the several classes were located was crowded with visitors during the hours of 2 to 4 P. M. and from 7 to 9 P. M .. indi- cating that the public was interested in this phase of the exposition. The exhibitors were not only liberal in the distributing of souvenirs among the children who came but they also aimed to explain to them the opera- tions of their machinery and the utility of their products.
Advertising and Prizes. - The advertising for the exposition was placed in the hands of a committee of experts connected with prominent business concerns of the city and appointed by the Advertiser's Club of the city. The advertising in the main consisted of 10,000 hangers or posters, and display space in the dailies and weeklies throughout the state.
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One of the features adopted by the committee for the purpose of stim- ulating attendance was the award of nearly four hundred prizes consisting of various articles from a piano to a box of socks and from a residence furnace to a box of candy. These prizes were donated by the retail mer- chants. The advertising given the prizes was the only remuneration re- ceived by the merchants. This advertising consisted of a display of the prizes in the most prominent show windows of the city. While this promise was carried out it was expected also that suitable newspaper publicity be given in which the prizes and their donors were to be named in the pub- lication of the winning munbers.
In this effort the committee met with a decided disappointment; the federal government notified the press that all mention of prizes would be contrary to the laws and must be omitted. The result was that many of the prizes drawn were not called for because the winner had no means of knowing the result except as announced at the Auditorium.
A prize of $100 offered for the best poster design was awarded to Gus Klan of the firm of Klau and Van Pietersom. The advertising com- mittee also instituted a Slogan contest. For a week each day five single dollar prizes were awarded for the best slogans and on the last day a $25 prize was awarded for the best slogan submitted during the entire week. The slogan, "Name it, Milwaukee makes it," submitted by S. A. Minturn of West Allis was awarded the first prize.
A Promotional Factor .- It may justly be said that, in providing for this exposition, the assoe'ation added materially to its laurels as a promotional and useful influence in the community. Not only was the exposition the first in which Milwaukee-made products were exclusively shown but in point of variety of products, artistie and dignified installations, and a rep- resentation characteristic of the city as a manufacturing center, the project was an unqualified success.
At no time in the history of the eity have its products been shown in a more complete or in a more auspicions manner. The fitness, too, of celebrating the association's fiftieth anniversary in an exposition has been demonstrated.
If expositions possess any value, and experience has taught that they do, Milwaukee has been benefited commercially as well as educationally. The demand for Milwaukee-made products was stimuated and the youth of the community received a valuable and lasting lesson in the importance of well directed labor and its results and achievements. The civic prid of the community was stirred with a renewed enthusiasm in the achieve- ments of a brilliant past and an ambition for a prosperous future.
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Upholding Law and Order .- The association has on several occasions asserted its influence in the direction of preserving the tranquility and peace of the community. During a serious strike trouble it issued the fol- lowing prominciamento to the mayor and the public: "Recent events in the community reveal a tendeney which demands the earnest consideration of the great body of thoughtful citizens as well as the attention of the chief executive. The fact that expressions have recently gained currency
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which tend to disturb the peace and good order of the community and seriously impair its prosperity and stability, is to be deplored.
"We are not unmindful of the fact that differences necessarily arise between employer and employe and that there are rights and equities on both sides. We believe that labor has rights which capital must respect and that organization is a legitimate weapon, both defensive and offensive, in compelling those rights. But, in reaching adjustments, sane judgment and peaceful methods should and must be employed. Law and order must be maintained and life and property must be protected.
"Milwaukee is a manufacturing center. Its material stability and prosperity must be derived through the product of the factory which is sold to the four quarters of the world. The commercial, financial and shipping interests are largely dependent upon the industrial interests. The factory pay roll is the very life and soul of Milwaukee's material existence. The more employment can be given and the more money can be distributed in wages each week the more prosperity will come into the thousands of Milwaukee homes.
"It cannot be denied that a depression exists and has rested during the past year upon many of Milwaukee's important industries. In some of these the losses have been heavy. The number of unemployed is already distressingly large. Manufacturers are straining every nerve to improve conditions, seeure what orders they ean and keep their plants in full op- eration and thus afford more employment.
"The reports of public utterances of an inflammatory character which are heralded to the world tend to impair the eredit and standing of the city. While they eause unrest at home they are also destructive of the confidence which prompts the sale of our municipal bonds and the bringing of out- side capital into the city for investment.
"The destruction of local property is infinitesimal as compared with the losses which the community sustains in being deprived of the patronage and good will of the country at large. And here it should not be forgotten that any losses so sustained will not only fall upon the manufacturers but upon the working people as well. A diminished demand for the prod- uets of our factories will reduce the demand for labor and thus the losses will have to be borne by both employer and employe. This statement needs no elaborate explanation. It speaks for itself.
"In discussing thus frankly a condition as well as a growing tendency, which if permitted to continue unchecked will lead to catastrophe and ruin, we are not attempting to sound an alarm. We are merely in a rational manner directing the public mind to a dangerous tendency.
"It is to the interest of all, irrespective of business or calling, that law and order be maintained and that those who menace life and property be dealt with accordingly. In view of the sentiment above expressed, be it
RESOLVED, That, we the Directors of the Merchants and Manu- facturers Association strongly condemn all publie expressions designed to incite class hatred and to destroy respect for law and order; that we demand the punishment of those who threaten the safety of their fellow-
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men and who wantonly destroy property; that we pledge ourselves to employ every honorable means to secure obedience to the law and secure that peace and goodwill which is so vital to the community's material and social progress and welfare."
List of Presidents .- The business men who have been honored from time to time to serve in the capacity of first officer of the association are shown in the following list, together with the year of service: Years 1861-1863. John Nazro: 1864-1867. John A. Dutcher; 1868-1870, H. H. Button : 1871-1874. F. J. Blair; 1875-1876, Clarence Shepard ; 1877-1882, John R. Goodrich : 1883- 1884, George W. Allen ; 1885-1886. B. B. Hopkins ; 1887-1889, Chas. E. Andrews; 1890-1892, Chas. M. Cottrell; 1893-1895, John E. Hansen; 1896-1898, John C. Spencer : 1899-1900, Fred T. Goll; 1900-1901, Ira B. Smith : 1901-1903, E. A. Wadhams: 1904-1905, Fred W. Sivyer: 1906-1908, Wm. N. Fitzgerald : 1909- 1910, John H. Moss; 1911-1912, Gen. Otto H. Falk: 1912-1914, Fred W. Rogers: 1915-1916. Franklin P. Blumenfeld : 1916-1918, John L. Klingler : 1918- 1920, A. T. Van Scoy ; 1920-1921 ; Walter C. Carlson, 1921-1922; J. G. Kissinger, 1922 -.
A List of the Secretaries .- The gentlemen who served as secretary of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association during the past fifty years are the following: 1861-1863, J. A. Duteher; 1864, H. II. Button; 1865-1870, A. B. Cleaver; 1871-1874, Robert Hill; 1875-1876, W. A. Collins; 1877-1878, C. II. Hamilton : 1879-1886, Chas. E. Andrews; 1887, Ira B. Smith ; 1888, Chas. 1. Blanchard: 1889, L. J. Petit : 1890, A. Meinecke, Jr. ; 1891-1892, A. R. Matthews: 1893, Oscar Loeffler: 1894, A. Meinecke, Jr .: 1895-1899, 1I. E. Wilkins; 1900-1906, L. C. Whitney: 1907-1909, Wmn. Geo. Bruce ; 1909-1920. Phillip A. Grau, 1920 .-
Invited Notable Men to City .- The first formal banquet given by the Mil- waukee business men who later formed the Merchants Association was held at the Newhall Honse, January 11, 1861. The late John G. Inbusch presided.
The speakers and the subjects disenssed were the following: E. D. Holton, The Commonwealth of Wisconsin; L. W. Weeks, Milwaukee and Its Com- meree ; O. H. Waldo, The Manufacturers of Milwaukee; George W. Allen, The Merchants of Milwaukee: Judge MeArthur, The Judiciary and Bar of Milwaukee ; C. E. Andrews, The Newhall House and Its Proprietors.
The association invited and entertained many distinguished guests. Among them were Grover Cleveland, William MeKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William II. Taft, Hon. James Bryce and many others. President and Mrs. Cleveland were entertained October 6, 1887: President and Mrs. Me Kinley October 16 and 17, 1890: Theodore Roosevelt April 3, 1903; and William IT. Taft June 10, 1907.
On March 4, 1902, the association participated in the entertainment of Prince Henry of Prussia. also in the entertainment a few years ago of Count von Bernsdorff, the German Ambassador. Other distinguished guests, among them prominent statesmen, diplomats and financiers have at various times been brought to the city and entertained by the association.
Principles and Policies .- It was upon the principles and policies govern- ing modern commercial bodies, as outlined in the introductory paragraphs,
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that the Milwaukee Association of Commerce gained its high standing and service as a factor in the community.
It prompted Milwaukee to take an inventory of itself, and then seek an answer to each of the following questions: What are the advantages of its geographic location ? What are its connections with the outside world ? What are the natural resources of the territory tributary to Milwaukee? What are its industrial and commercial possibilities ? Is there more room for popu- lation and capital ? What ean be done in the direction of civic and educational progress ?
These and other questions were answered before a line of action along promotional lines could wisely be adopted. It taught Milwaukee to know itself before it determined what was best for itself. Economic, civic and social progress is always possible, but in order to avoid a waste of energy and to work efficiently and effectively it is well to know what materials are at command and how to utilize them.
The commerce body assumed that Milwaukee drew its share of trade from the surrounding agricultural distriet : that its financial institutions amply met the needs of local business enterprise and that the transportation fa- cilities were fairly satisfactory. But. it also held that more stores, more banks and more trains did not necessarily mean more business for the city unless a greater prosperity must be sought in the manufacturing field. More fac- tories meant more population, more capital, more activity, more prosperity.
It also taught that a new grocery store divided the grocery patronage ; that a new bank drew business from the older banks, and that the estab- lishment of more retail stores and banks did not necessarily increase the business of the city. Further, that the dollar which goes from one local pocket into another local pocket does not necessarily increase the total wealth of the city, but that the dollar which came into your city from the outside for labor performed added to that wealth. That dollar is distributed through the payroll and finds its way into the markets, thus demonstrating that the payroll constitutes the economie vitality of the city. The profits of the retail trade go to the few, the payrolls of factories go to the many.
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