Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-14
A LIVE CHAMBER.
The New Secretary Talks to a
Gazette Reporter.
CHAMBER OF COM MERGE NEEDS
A More Active Enthusiasm Should be Dis
played by the Members-The Work
the Organization Can Accomplish.
What Gen. Clarke Says.

A GAZETTE reporter called upon Gen. F.
NJ. Clarke. the new secretary of the Cham
Der of Commerce yesterday with the fol
lowing result. Gen Clarke speaks out and
tells some wholesome truths:
How is the work of the Chamber pro
gressing!'' asked the reporter
Fairly well. This, YOU know, is the
dullest season of the year.
DO you find enthusiasm among the mem
bers2''
Generally, yes. ] find some who mag
inc that preference is given to some in
terests to the neglect of others That,
however. is to be expected. 1t always hap
pens that, where number of different in
terestS unite in soliciting patronage, some
one or more do not receive the same recog-
milton, and then the sighted ones conclude
that that their claims have not been con-
served. Much on the same principle of the
defeated politician, who invariably enter
tains a private conviction that he has been
sold OUT
We'll. but is it not true that the cham
Der has been run in the interests OF few"
Il am unable TO say If it has it is because
of the neglect of the many. No man can
advance his interest by any better method
than his own labcrs. l find that the
Chamber has thirteen important commit
tees, with a directory of thirteen members,
giving each committee representation.
Now these committees We're created for
purpose; they We're called into being to
perform certain work, and on the fidelity
with which they discharge their duties de-
pends the success of the Chamber as
whole. The bylaws Of the Chamber say
that on the first Tuesday OF every
month meeting of all the members shall
be held. As a matter of fact. the monthly
meeting is too weakly. Months come and
go, but the members do not. Some Of the
committees have never met. 1t
is difficult to secure quorum of directors.
All this is wrong. If members neglect
their own interests they must not COM
plain if other members, awake TO the
value of the organization, gather and de-
eide upon measures of action. There is
not that representation of all lines OF COM
merce that should be in the Chamber,
This, however, will be speedily adjusted
by the action now being had by the men,
bership committee, looking towards the
increase of membership and reduction of
dues and fees. If the members of the
Chamber would cease being lay-members
and become active ones, attending al!
meetings and participating therein. ball COM
plant of neglect would cease. As it now
is, it is their own neglect they are talk
ing of
some of your members hurt the Chamber
NO sir! l regard it simp.y as evidence
that the complainers are naturally active
men. At this time, the dullest season.
business is not occupying all Of their time,
and SO having to do something, an occas-
ional growl is heard. As soon as the
markets feel the impetus of the splendid
crops Texas is putting forth this yssr.
business will be stimulated, and then these
same men will be among the sturdiest
supporters of well managed Chamber.
To hurt the Chamber of Commerce would
be to cripple the business of the COM