Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-18
TIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Every Active Business Man Should
Join 1t,
And Do his Part Toward the Up
building of the Commercial and
Industrial interests Of the Oity
and Vicinity.

Industrial Interests OF the City
and Vicinity.
Il was long ago settled in this coun-
try and the world that the greatess
achievements for the public good were
only attained by the un!ted action or
its citizens. and this rule has become
fixed in the business and local AFFAIRS
of all communities.
Very llu-le is accomplished nowadays
in any particular line of business or
enterprise for the general public unlesa
there be first an EXPIRE ss.on and then
action as the result OF such delibera-
tons through the medium Of an assooa-
tion of business Interests and men in
city or community, acting
together and as final unity
and by such action representing
the true pulse of present needs and de-
mands.
The Register has become convinced In
its investigation OF Wheeling's Chamber
OF Commerce matters and the general
public enterprise there represented In
business and manufacturing interests
that our citizens have fallen 10 some de-
gree into the idea that they are men
of Yesterday and that Wheeling's busi-
ness affairs and interests will be best
subserved by a strict attention to their
cwn private matters.
This idea has not always represented
itself to such a degree in Wheeling, and
is not without It's good results, but its
continued use in business matters Will
most assuredly breed form OF buSi-
ness disease, and as result, the LIE,
business enterprise and advancement OF
the present and near future wall die out,
or VIII be taken advantage Of by those
least deserving For The past no criti-
cism can be offered for the work and
resuhs accomplished by the Wheeling
Chamber of Commerce. and the concert
ed and proper action 1t assumed TO con-
troll, as the congress Of business inter-
ests here established and ideas Of pro-
gress advocated. To be convinced OF
this fact, one has only 70 review the past
work in the matter Of railroads, public
highways, manufacturing plants, and
great public ideas and demands arising
here and in other States and throughout
the nation In each matter noted and
others which could be n lt.oned, 1t has
accomplished what the unorganiZed
business men or interests could not ap-
preach This being true, the question
is asked in business circles N this city,
why do not the business men
rally round the Chamber, join It's
membership and thus show the interest
they must feel for the common good Of
this community. Are they withheld by
a lack of concern for the business in
terests and general Advancement Of the
community in which they live and move,
or is IL a fact that there Is nothing new
to be secured, and that ambition and in
dusTy can go no further in this city,
and that we must be content with pres
elt requirements, methods and facil-
ties? This cannot be so, and yet there
is strange and unfortunate lack OF
interest by the majority Of
business men in the only business or
ganization Of which the city can boast.
To find an adequate reason for this Is
difficult. Ii is probably the result Of a
combination Of reasons and causes.
The burdens of the last two years
in the business world have been felt by
this community, as IN other parts Of
the country, and it is possible the inf-
diy.dual business man Of Wh ceiling for
gets to some extent That IL is the
actual resources, location, facilities,
business ability and energy about him,
that are resD0nsib bic for what
he has been Obliged TO go
through in business experience
and callngs, and that the times have
made him somewhat narrow and strip
ped him slightly Of a correct Judgment
as to present and future business en-
teIpr.ses. These matters and others,
by direct or indirect means, have caused
the active membership IN the Chamber
OF Commerce 10 fall off. within the last
year or eighteen months. 80 or more
per cent, until now its chef mission
apears to be one Of inactivity.
The committee appointed az the last
meeting OF the Chamber TO call upon
business men and urge them TO join the
body appears TO have done little or
nothing. and to have met with very 1t
tie encouragement The Old spirit OF
every man for himself, appears TO dom
mate the majority OF business men, and
the leading members and old and
staunch friends Of the Chamber appear
TO be a little discouraged.
But II cannot be true that list Of
eighty members represents all the ele-
ment in Wheeling believing in busi-
ness organ ization like the Chamber, and
the special committee as soon as the
holiday rush OF business is over, should
best'r itself and bring into the fold
the many energetic, enterpris.ng and
public spirited men who are now on
the outside.
David Lewis. who has been afflicted
all winter by rheumatism, is out again
d oil duo m one OF the medicines ad-