The Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, April 7, 1904
BIG BUSINESS
MEETING
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Interesting Subjects Discussed
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Committees Appointed
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The Marlin Business League was called
to order in regular session Monday night at 8 o'clock.
The meeting was well attended here being fully fifty
members present.
The roll call of directors showed most of them present
at the meeting.
Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
For the information: of the league the president had
Secretary Burkhead to read.the minutes of the director's meeting; reporting
their organization for the year 1904, as previously published in this paper.
President Allen, under the head of officers reports,
stated that the time had come when the league must have the hearty co-operation
and support of those individuals and institutions who are directly interested in
people coming to Marlin. All efforts possible to secure this co-operation would
be made; if they failed to secure this co-operation, then the League would work
alone for business from the farmers and to the improvement of the town.
By way of a program, thoughtfully arranged interspersed
with some diversion, the president called for talks from various parties
present, as follows:
A. A. Ritcheson, manager of the Southwestern Telephone
Company, made a few remarks in behalf of a telephone directory he was getting
out, showing the number of the telephone and the street number of each
subscriber. He would appreciate some advertising patronage in order to get out a
good one.
Judge Hunnicutt, responding to the subject, "Good Roads
- Benefits of Same", made an interesting talk on public roads of the county. The
Judge took the position that taxes applied to the improvement of public roads
was the best way that tax money could be spent. He urged the league to
take up the matter of pushing the construction of public roads into and through
the country in all directions.
C. T. Curry, who was down for a talk on "Good Sidewalks
- How They Effect Schools" was detained at another meeting and at the suggestion
of Mr. Allen, Messrs George Carter and B. C. Nettles, largely interested in
schools and sidewalks, told the league members a few good things along this
line, urging the necessity of maintaining good sidewalks and streets. Mr.
NettIes, in addition to endorsing what Mr. Carter had said, took the position
that the condition of the streets had all to do with the service rendered by the
fire department. The department needed encouragement along several lines,
notably among these being the improvement of the streets. He touched heavily
upon the dust evil, saying that it was essentially necessary that the department
be more generally supported by the business interests of the community in the
matter of paying for street sprinkling.
W. W. Allen on the subject of Music, etc.. said, among
other things, that keeping before the public the advantages of Marlin, the
entertainment of the visitors was dependent largely upon the maintenance of good
music. The band, when secured, should be placed at the public park; that Marlin
men who dance at the park should pay a small fee for the privilege the proceeds
to go to the music fund. He suggested other improvements in the method of
handling the music which he thought ought to be engaged by May 1st.
Mr. C. Jay Bartlett, who was on the program for an
address on "How to Entertain Lady Visitors," failed to appear on account of
other important engagements.
D. P. McAlpine on "General and Special Advertising"
read a treatise on advertising a health resort. He congratulated Marlin by being
placed on the map by Comiskey and his men and thought Marlin should lose no
opportunity in keeping its ad vantages before the public. Judicious adverting
was the most lasting investment that could be made. He advocated a thorough
system of advertising and predicted that should Marlin proceed properly along
this line that it would not be long until Marlin's fame would extend from sea to
sea.
J. R. Taylor on "Hot Water vs. Other Drinks" took the
position that Marlin should go into advertising her hot water like Milwaukee
made a certain brew of beer famous. He had heard that if one used Marlin hot
water one would have little use for other drinks - he had never tried that plan,
however, Marlin's greatest claims for fame, he said, were her fire department
and her hot water.
"Skeeter" Levy next entertained the league with a
thrilling history of the great sport of badger fighting. He gave an interesting
report of the sport from the day of Washington down to the last fight in Marlin.
"Marlin Sanitariums" was the subject of an interesting talk by Dr. J. W.
Torbett. Every one in Marlin, he said was benefitted by the advertising
done. He called attention to the fact that no other hot well has ever been a
success, Marlin alone enjoying that world wide distinction. He pointed out some
defects and suggested some wholesome remedies. The adaptibility of Marlin for a
winter resort should not be overlooked. He closed by urging unity and harmony.
Dr. S. P. Rice stated that all were willing to
pay their pro rata of whatever, expense were required to continue the work of
the league, such as advertising, entertainment, etc.
President Allen submitted a report showing amounts
needed and passed this over for future action.
The proposed amendment to the constitution increasing
the board of directors to nine, as recently recommended by the president, was
tabled on motion of the author thereof, after discussion.
A rising vote was taken on question of securing music
and the vote was unanimous.
Something was said about the ball park but no action
was taken.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED
President Allen appointed the
following standing committees:
Advertising - T. A. Cheeves, chairman; Paul Gardere, D.
P. McAlpine, T. S. Clark, F. B. Martin.
City Development - L. P. Robertson, chairman; A. R.
Wright, J. M. Kennedy, Geo. S. Cousins, B. C. Curry.
Railroads - Joe Levy, chairman; F. S. Heffner, Geo. M.
Herring, J. W. Torbett, S. P. Rice.
Entertainment - W. W. Allen, chairman; A. Levy, C. L.
Fannin, C. J. Bartlett, Geo. Carter.
Manufacturers and Mercantile - B. C. Nettles, E. W.
Nicholson, J. W. Bartlett, L. A. Robinson, Geo. Frank.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.