Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-19
AN AGGRESSIVE BODY.
Chamber of Commerce Proposes to
Continue Its Efforts to
PUSH PITTSBURG TO THE FRONT,
The Membership to Be Shortly Increased to
800 or 1000.
PREPARING FOR 4 GRAND BANQUET

The Chamber Of Commerce has determin
ed to contine and improve upon its efforts t.
keep Pittsburg In the front rank of tn
cities of the world. To this end it was de
termined at yesterdays meeting that th
business men of the city must be impressed
with the necessity of being connected will
the chamber, that their efforts may not TAI
for lack of unanimity. The present mem
bership is go, and it was decided that thi.
figure should be raised to 600 or even ZOO
That the men who make Pittsburg what il
is may thoroughly understand the object.
and aims of the Chamber of Commerce 9
banquet will be given next month at which
these matters will be discussed. A commit
tee of IL will be appointed by President
Kelly to make the necessary arrangements.
In connection with the necessity of ere.
ating more interest in the work of the
Chamber of Commerce, Colonel T. P. Rob-
erts, Chairman of the committee having the
matter in charge, presented the following
report at the monthly meeting yesterday
afternoon in the Academy of Science build
ing:
Representatives Of Western Pennsylvania.
This is not the place to recount the past
doings OF the chamber, though the theme
would be one well worthy Of the orator.
Nevertheless, tor the in formation of those
outside our organization, it is proper to state
that the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg
stands as the representative OF everything
which concerns the welfare of the peo-
pie of Western Pennsylvania. In national
and in State Legislation there are no general
bills of public interest, such as concern
river and harbor improvements. bridges
over navigable streams, public buildings.
postal regulations, finance, bankruptcy, in
crease OF the navy, and regulations affecting
Transportation and railroads, national as
well As local, road Improvements ETC., with
which the chamber does not concern itself
either singly, or i'm conjunction with other
similar bodies in other cities, and has proved
its ability to be an effective guardian Of Pitts
burg's interests. Very frequently our Sena-
tors and Represen ntatives both in Congress
and in the State Legislature, have ached
upon the advice Of the chamber in measures
Of importance.
AQuasi-Legislative Body.
There are many things proposed to legis-
lators affecting business interests. of which
they hear little from the public, save as it is
voiced in these regularly organized cham
bers or exchanges, and in this one respect
at least they may be considered Quasi-legis-
lative bodies. Sometimes, also, the city
councils are appealed to by the chamber,
and the officials of the city, upon n number
OF occasions. have voluntarily .erred mat
tiers for advice to us which have concerned
the interests of the mercantile and manu-
featuring community.
Through the chamber representative
committees of Pittsburpers are annually
sent to Washington or to Harrisburg to
speak for her when occasions arise, and no
great National cony ent tion dealing with sub.
jects of interest to the community is any
where held where the delegates of the
chamber fail to appear.
In another way the chambers influence
has been exerted when it becomes the
spokesman of the city and the distributor or
aims at great public calamites. In some
of these instances thousands OF dollars have
been given to the distressed people in dis
tant States, and the money unostentiously
raised almost altogether among the COM
parativeiy few members of the chamber,
though in every such instance the gifts have
been made in the name OF the people of
Pittsburg. through its agent the Chamber
OF Commerce.
Not Organized for Persona! Benefit
The chamber is not organized to reap any
benefit or claim any glory for itself as a
body. Nor is it in any sense q mutual pro-
tcctive association, but it seeks at all times
and in every fair and legitimate way to
spread abroad the fame of the Iron City and
the great Keystone State.
Agafn, the chamber from time to time, by
the compilation of the statistics of this
Y
trict, and the printing and widespread dis
tribution of the same, stands forth as the
advertiser of the city's wares. and every
merchant or manufacturer or firm included
in the vast aggregate must surely reap some
benefit from the work OF the chamber.
1t is the opinion of the committee that the
present membership of go could and should
be made SEQ or even 1000, and that this can
be done II nctlve means be taken to con- |
vince the business men of the city of the |
real value of such AL organization. Our |
L.
to reaiize their utter dependence and the |
for cooperation in the common |
good. Nature has favored us greatly and |
the city is growing rapidly, so that our |
county. which now contains upward of 6OO-
600 population, Will soon claim 100000 souls.
Must Prepare for Rivalry.
Nevertheless, this vast aggregation OF |
wealth and population is dependent upon |
other regions for its support, and in which /
regions it will meet some very active and |
aggressive business rivals. None of these |
rivals arc yet ahead of us in our greatest |
specialties but they are with us now: Now |
there are many new and promising depart |
ments which require our fostering care. In |
all the great Western cities the work of the |
chambers of commerce and exchanges en- |
braces the majority of the business firms |
among their members and supporters, and |
they stand united in their work for the gen. |
eral good. Pittsburg must do the same |
thing If she hopes to maintain her relative |
position among the great financial, mer-
camille and manufacturing cities of the |
After the adoption of the report of the |
committee, lengthy discussion took place
rs to the best manner in which to arouse in
terest in the workings of the chamber
among the public. Captain John f. Dravo |
condemned the general apathy of the public |
and their lack of appreciation OF the good
work being done by the chamber. Similar
remarks were made by DR.. Allison, Colonel
P. Roberts and others.
Want Handsome Quarters.
Captain w. P. Herbert then said: 'T
don't want to find any fault with the COM
mlttee that have been appointed to select
new rooms for the chamber to hold meet
lngs In, but am far from satisfied with the
rooms that have been selected in the new
Germania Bank building. If it was a mat
ter OF economy to select the small back
room, don't see that the chamber is re-
duced to such straits that it is necessary to
bold meetings in a cubby hole, on account
Of money consideration. The rooms are
too small. l don't care, nor think the
chamber should care what the cost is Our
rooms should not be such as to reflect upon
the dignity or Importance of the Pittsburg
Chamber of Commerce"
Morrison Foster, Captain Bachelor, Col
,nel Roberts and Captain Dravo all echoed
Captain Herbert's opinion.
President Kelly said that that had been
his opinion right along, but that he did not
ind any fault with the committee, as they
we're acting upon instructions.
Captain Dravo made q motion that the
Committee on Rooms and the Executive
Committee be instructed not to sub-let any
# the rooms or take anv further action
Until the next meeting. This motion was