The Commercial Club of Fargo, established on August 14, 1902, was incorporated by prominent local figures including R. S. Lewis, L. B. Hanna, and W. D. Sweet, among others. The organization aimed to foster the commercial and manufacturing sectors of Fargo, enhance civic pride, and contribute to the city’s growth and beautification. Initial leadership included R. S. Tyler as president and A. L. Wall and J. C. Hunter as vice presidents. Despite the early passing of its first president, the club remained financially stable and played a significant role in advancing Fargo’s economic interests and municipal improvements, including securing favorable railroad rates.
By C. G. Baernstein, Secretary.
Incorporated August 14, 1902, by the following named gentlemen: R. S. Lewis, L. B. Hanna, W. D. Sweet, J. C. Hunter, A. L. Wall, H. C. Plumley, T. A. Whitworth, W. J. Price, H. Harrington, Geo. W. Wasem, S. G. Wright, C. A. Eberhart, Morton Page, W. C. Macfadden, and H. W. Gearey.
On September 12, 1902, the following officers were elected for this organization:
- President: R. S. Tyler
- First Vice President: A. L. Wall
- Second Vice President: J. C. Hunter
- Secretary: E. S. Tyler
- Treasurer: W. C. Macfadden
The purposes for which the corporation is formed are as follows:
To encourage and promote the commercial and manufacturing interests of the city of Fargo; to foster and encourage through social intercourse a public spirit and feeling of loyalty to the city; to promote the growth, development, and beauty of the city; to assist in making it a city of homes; to develop the jobbing and wholesale interests of the city; to encourage manufacturing within its limits; to advise and assist in municipal improvements looking to the accomplishment of the aims heretofore set forth; to own real estate on which a home may be built for said club and to establish such social features as will assist in carrying out the aims of the corporation.
R. S. Tyler held office as president for a short time, as his death occurred on January 8th, 1903. On June 2, 1903, the following officers were elected: President, J. C. Hunter; first vice president, A. L. Wall; second vice president, L. B. Hanna; secretary, George H. Phelps; treasurer, W. C. Macfadden. J. C. Hunter served as president until June 13, 1905, when R. S. Lewis was elected and has held the position to this time.
This club has at all times been in good financial condition and has contributed very largely to the success and welfare of this city, as well as the state at large, having succeeded in procuring railroad rates and other vital purposes for the prosperity of the same.
Splendid Work of Fargo Commercial Club Past Year
Retiring President J. P. Hardy Gave Resume of Work of
Club in His Annual Address Which Shows That
Fargo Boosters Are Alive
At the annual meeting of the Fargo Commercial Club held last Tuesday night, the retiring president, J. P. Hardy, delivered his annual address, which was so well prepared that it is published at this time, as on account of other matters it was crowded out of The Forum the next day. It is hoped that every reader of this paper will read and digest it, for there are many excellent points contained in the message.
Mr. Hardy said: Gentlemen—The second Tuesday of June marks the closing of one of the most eventful years in the history of your club, and a brief review of the things accomplished, started and premeditated may not be amiss. The reconstruction work accomplished by your committee was so successful in its issue and so graphic in its performance that beyond a reminder of the fact that 400 new memberships were obtained further reference to this feature of the past year’s work would seem unnecessary. Few possibly are aware of the many efforts for the upbuilding of Fargo’s interest that the club has undertaken during the past year, as many things are undertaken and accomplished that outside of the precincts of the secretary’s office are unheralded. The entertainment of visitors has marked the club’s efforts to a notable degree, the following associations and individuals having been entertained in one way and another by committees appointed for that purpose—viz.: The Minnesota State Automobile Association, “Meridian Road Pathfinders,” Chamber of Commerce of Camrose, Alberta, Ladies Excursion from New England, N. D., F. L. Wentworth, national secretary of Fire Prevention Association, President Elliott and party during Grain Growers’ Convention, representatives from other clubs at the opening of new quarters, lecturer from the Good Roads Department, North Dakota Retail Hardware Dealers’ Association, North Dakota Chess Association, North Dakota Independent Lumber Dealers’ Association, North Dakota County Commissioners’ Association, Live Stock Association, and secretaries of county fairs. Luncheon to the officers of the Byllesby Company. Possibly there were others of which no record has been kept. There has been a marked increase in the number of conventions held in the city, the following being among the most notable:
The North Dakota Education Association, the Grain Growers’ Convention, the Corn Show, North Dakota Poultry Show, the Retail Hardware Dealers’ Association, the Retail Lumbermen’s Convention, the County Commissioners’ Convention, the County Auditors’ Convention, the County Judges’ Convention, North Dakota Press Association, North Dakota State Tax League, State Veterinary Association, North Dakota Chess Association, Live Stock Association, and State Jewelers and Opticians. In addition to these, there will be during the coming summer and following months a galaxy of gatherings never heretofore equaled in Fargo, namely: The National Conference of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, State Elks’ Convention, Tri-State Postmasters’ Convention, North Dakota Postmasters’ Convention, Grand Lodge Sons of Norway (national), Norwegian Saengerfest, State Trap Shoot, and North Dakota Implement Dealers’ Association. Surely a long enough list to warrant the assertion that the most important work ahead of the club today is that of building an Auditorium. The committee having that matter in hand have worked long, hard and faithfully in the face of fearful odds, and the club members and citizens generally are under untold obligations to them for the results they have obtained. Here let us pause a moment to review the constructive work that has been accomplished during the year: A new wholesale house has been secured, another manufacturing industry added, a branch house of a packing company opened, the street car company has been induced to build an extension to Dilworth, the Northern Pacific Railway has, at the request of the club, continued its shop train, a home products show has been held, illuminating lights have been bought for street decoration, special railroad rates have been secured for all conventions, a Red River Valley exhibit was maintained at Bismarck and at the St. Paul Land Show, and a budget for publicity and entertainment has been very generously subscribed.
A page advertisement in the Chicago Record-Herald’s special North Dakota edition has brought forth many pertinent inquiries from all over the country. This latter feature was made possible by and paid for out of the budget fund referred to above. The budget has naturally given rise to a great deal of discussion, pro and con, being an entirely new departure in our club work. It has taken time and a lot of hard work at the hands of the secretary and the committees of the various affiliated bodies to impress the membership with the importance of this movement. Results, however, show that our people are pleased with the general plan, appreciating the fact that the club, by establishing a clearing house for the disbursing of funds for publicity and entertainment, have to a large extent relieved the individual of the annoyance of oft-repeated calls for help from soliciting committees.
In this connection a word about the work of the advertising committee of the Town Criers’ Club seems pertinent. This committee has undertaken the censorship of all advertising schemes presented to our merchants, acting not in a mandatory, but in an advisory capacity, saving our members many dollars that they have heretofore paid out for worthless advertising mediums. That there has been some criticism of both the budget scheme and advertising censorship was not altogether unexpected, but the club officials are more than pleased at the general hearty support afforded to each of these projects. The executive committee of the club, composed of one member from each of the affiliated bodies of the club, has worked hard and faithfully, and to them your retiring executive returns his heartfelt thanks for their unstinted support and ready response to every call made on them. The house committee has been prompt in their duties and careful in.