The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-07-27
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
An Institution That Needs Some Rein
fOreement.

The Astoria chamber of commerce is a
home institution of which Astoria may
well be proud. TO write record of its
achievements would be to call the roll OF
many material improvements secured fol
Astoria and northwestern Oregon. It has
contributed in no small degree to the
prosperity and advancement of this
place, and it has been usually prompt
in seizing upon opportunities TO aid the
growth and best interests of the place.
In this there has been no ''glory," and
little hope of individual reward. When
ever a thing had to be done the members
have gone down into their pockets and
put up, pro bono publico, and the publico
have shared in the resultant benefits.
But no society or organization can re-
pose on its laurels or rest content with
pointing to past achievements. Ad-
herence to progress IS not a silent pre-
cept, but an active duty. Our chamber
of commerce needs revivifying.
The sphere of its usefulness may and
should be greatly enlarged, and the way
to enlarge it is to increase its member
ship. The past is narrow: the future
grows broader and broader.
To do all that is required, to be able to
compass its objects and intentions, the
chamber of commerce should have more
members; not members who are content
to furnish energetic criticism, but men.
with mems ideas in their heads and mems
purposes in their hearts. There should
be at least one hundred active paying
members: there should be a fund to
draw on for expenses incurred; there
should be advertising done for and of the
place: there should be funds provided
for the reception and entertainment of
visitors; all this has been done by few,
but it is unfair to have few doing this
all the time.
Time and again, those who meet have
cheerfully paid their little s. assessments
to pay for what had been done, and
which had benefited every resident and
property holder in the place.
The Historian suggests that new life
be infused into this institution. Let
there be an effort to increase the active
membership: get money into the treas
ury: get a starter for a building to be
owned by the chamber, and that build
ing to be the nucleus and center of the
commercial life of the city.
What the chamber of commerce has
done can be taken as an index of the
greater duty. the wider influence, the in
creased power to aid, provided its eX-
DO O4uoi W bIlO hOOOooclg anu
proper demands.
A wise economy, proper civic pride, q
necessary public policy demand this.
There should be a monthly income of
at least 500 or $3.50, and there are GER
tainly enough men concerned in the re-
suit to insure the furnishing of that
monthly sum,
Concentration of effort, singleness OF
purpose and a common desire for ad-
vancement can insure this.
There is good intent enough, public
feeling enough and sufficient wish to
have the city go ahead to insure the fur
nishing of three times this amount: what
is needed is concentration of thought and
action, and practical effort.
A large, enthusiastic and Jealous com
mercial body, such as the chamber OF
commerce of this city should and ought
to be, could do great deal.
1t is for our readers to act upon the
idea. Ideas have commercial value, but
their value lies, not in saying, "That's so
he's right" and letting it go at that, but
in putting them into execution.