History of the Club

At a meeting held March 21, 1949, the membership maximum was set at 500 and a new administration was elected: R. E. (Bob) Smith, President; Virgil Brill and Val Billups, Vice Presidents; Marlin Sandlin, Secretary; and E. O. Buck, Treasurer. Directors elected were David C. Bintliff, Hugh Q. Buck, Vernon W. Frost, Fred J. Heyne, Jr. and Ralph A. Johnston.

By October 1949, investigation led to a tentative lease arrangement for space on Lamar Avenue and the employment of a manager contingent on the acquisition of such property. At the time, negotiations for leasing the Rice Hotel roof were abandoned.

During the following month, it was discovered that the Lamar Avenue space proved architecturally unsatisfactory. Through the action of the Housing Committee, and particularly through considerable personal efforts by Bob Smith and Dave Bintliff, negotiations were re-opened which eventually led to the Club's quarters atop the Rice Hotel.

Initially, only two wings of the Hotel's roof were to be taken. Again, Bob Smith exhibited his intense interest and extreme generosity by making possible, in 1950, the inclusion of the third wing in the plans.

In records such as these, it usually is both difficult and unfair to attempt to single out individuals for special commendation when everyone involved gives so wholeheartedly of his time, wealth, and effort. In the case of the Petroleum Club, however, there should be no challenge to saluting R. E. (Bob) Smith and Marlin Sandlin. The former provided financial assistance which made the difference between having a "nice" club and having an outstanding club. The latter is deserving of unanimous plaudits for his extraordinary organizational skill and energy which gave the Club the firm foundation of membership and policies on which it is built.