By Woody Smith
Among the early figures of the Colorado Mountain Club, James
Grafton Rodgers (1883 - 1971) has always been known for his judgment and
vision.
He was, variously, CMC president (1912 - 1916), Mayor of
Georgetown, and president of the Colorado Bary Association. While serving as
Assistant Secretary of State during the Hoover administration, Rogers became
acting President of the United Statews while Hoover, the Vice President, and
the Secretary of State were all away from Washington.
Rogers was also president of the Colorado Historical Society
and helped save the Georgetown Loop Railroad. His extensive index on Colorado
place names fills six reels of microfilm.
However, to the relief of the less omnicompetent, Rogers launched
a dud now and then, too.
One of these was captured in a letter “To the Directors of
the Colorado Mountain Club” dated December 31, 1915. It reads:
I wish the Board would give some thought before the next
meeting to the question of the change of name of the Colorado Mountain Club.
The name I would suggest would be the Rocky Mountain Club of Colorado. A large
part of the mail meant for us goes to the Boulder organization for the reason
that they
have the other name,* and although considerable thought was given to the name
of the organization when it was organized, I am inclined to think that the time
has perhaps come for a change. Under the constitution a change of this sort
could be made on our recommendation at the annual meeting if it has had our
approval two weeks prior thereto. The annual meeting being set for the 28th we
could meet next week or the week after and take action if desired. Please
consider the matter and let me hear from you individually about it. The old
Rocky Mountain Club** which is incorporated and at present holds the name to
some extent, I am sure would be glad to surrender it to us. Yours very
sincerely, James Grafton Rogers, President.
Although it is not known whether the Board of directors
actually voted on the name change, it obviously never occurred. Why it didn’t
catch on can only be speculated, although the phrase “Rocky Mountain Club of
Colorado” is certainly a mouthful. Perhaps it was as simple as the “RMCC” being
harder to say than “CMC.”
Or, as President Bush might say, “The forces of
succinctliness have defeated the forces of unsuccinctity.”
Woody Smith is CMC archivist