Greetings from the Club In December, 1918, a card of Christmas Greetings was prepared and sent to every member in service. It read as follows: The Commonwealth Club of California sends greetings and good wishes for the New Year. The members at home rejoice with you. that the Dawn of Peace brings promise of an early resumption of our normal lives and the reassembling of the family and fraternal circles. These members at home have followed with great interest and admiration the steps of their brothers who have gone forward to fight the battle for our civilization. They have listened with eagerness, at the monthly and weekly meetings, to those who have come from the Front and have been able to tell of the courage and resource with which our soldiers and our allies have met the demands made upon them in war. The Club, as a body, and its members have given active support to the various campaigns for Liberty Loans, War Savings Stamps, Red Cross, Food Conservation and the United War Work funds. The Club holds in its Permanent Fund $22,500.00 in Liberty Bonds and $1,000.00 in War Savings Stamps. There are on the Service Flag 134 stars, of which unfortunately five are gold. Fully appreciating that those who have joined the colors, who have offered their services and their lives to the nation, have at great personal sacrifice made this glorious peace possible, your fellow members await with pleasurable anticipation the coming of the day when they can grasp your hands in a warm "WELCOME HOME." Wishing you a "HAPPY NEW YEAR," we are, Cordially, (Signed) ALBERT E. BOYNTON, President. EDWARD F. Adams, F. W. BRADLEY, T. D. BOARDMAN, C. E. GRUNSKY, BEVERLY L. HODGHEAD, J. M. KEPNER, CLARENCE M. SMITH, GRANT H. SMITH, W. V. STAFFORD, H. WEINSTOCK, JOHN P. YOUNG, Governors. E. A. WALCOTT, Executive Secretary. December, 1918. Purposes-To investigate and discuss problems affecting the welfare of the Commonwealth and to aid in their solution,* to "maintain itself in an impartial position as an open forum for the discussion of disputed questions," and "to influence public opinion in all proper ways in accordance with conclusions reached after due investigation."+ Presidents-William P. Lawlor, temporary president, 1903; Harris Weinstock, 1903-1907; Edward F. Adams, 1908-1912; Beverly L. Hodghead, 1913-1917; Albert E. Boynton, 1918-1919; Č. E. Grunsky, 1920. Membership-January 1, 1920, 2,449. The Commonwealth Club of California was founded to meet the need for a body of citizens who should consider the problems of the State from all points of view. The purpose announced by its founders was to bring out all the available facts on all sides of the questions taken up, and to provide for unfettered discussion. The policy has been steadfastly maintained, and has given the Club a high standing among civic bodies. It rarely considers questions of purely local interest, but takes up those that concern the interests of the State. While it considers many questions, it acts on but few, and promotes only those ends on which its membership is substantially agreed. The results of the Club's investigations are presented at the monthly meetings and published in the Transactions. As it brings together much original data its publications are highly regarded by investigators. Monthly meetings are held at the Hotel St. Francis on the third Thursday of each month. Members assemble at 5:30 for social con *Constitution, Article II. +By-Laws, Section 10. #Section 2, Plan of Organization submitted at first meeting. verse, and dinner is served at 6 p. m. The programme is called at about 8 p. m., and adjournment is had at 10:15 p. m. On disputed questions time is assigned so far as possible equally to the opposing viewpoints. Luncheon meetings have been held at the Palace Hotel every Saturday-Fridays hereafter, with special meetings for distinguished speakers. At these meetings addresses on current affairs are given by distinguished speakers. Officers of the Club, 1920 At the Club election of December 18, 1919, C. E. Grunsky was chosen President for 1920; Frank P. Deering, Vice President, and J. M. Kepner and Grant H. Smith were elected to the Board of Governors for the term ending 1922. Secretary.. Executive Committee. ..John P. Young .T. D. Boardman, Chairman Frank P. Deering, Beverly L. Hodghead, J. M. Kepner, Grant H. Smith. .A. G. McFarland, Chairman Chas. H. Kendrick, Chas. Raas. Chairmen of Committees .Frank V. Cornish Henry G. Meyer Seward C. Simons *Life member-ex-President (Constitution, Article IV, Section 2.) .Wm. S. Wollner |