Arizona republican., 1897-11-17
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 1897.
 Editor Republican-Sir: Yesterday an observer called into the court house would ihava noted the room where the oath was administered to Chief Jus tice Street packed with people drawn there through curiosity to witness the proceedings. Last night at Hotel Adams less than @ few score, i1clud- ing the retiring board of directors, were drawn there Ito show interest in the chamber of commerce. This com paltson may serve to show how little interest there is apparently in your most important organization. Else- where a chamber of commerce., as it of right should, enters into the most important functions in suparwig:on Of affairs, having besides the officers of the board, standing committees such as executive, property and finance, manufactures, mercantile, legislation, tra anIsponlaltion, harbor, streets and parks, health and sanitation, mu ici- pal affairs, membership, reception and auditing. Now commencing a CIV year in the life of your chamber we should hope the thoughts of the com munity would be directed to seriously consider its importance here. There is much necessary work ahead. The new board ought to expect the best support from the press and people. Members of the retiring board charge lukewarmneIss of the press and fail ure to lend Shat influence it had reason to expect. There is nofhing that should occasion jealousy towards the chamber of commerce. It alone of all institutions is not a body apart from the people because of opinions. We divide in opinions about many matters, but in the upbuilding of our i1om S.
 our community, we can all agree
 The spirit, if it anywhere exists, a reason that one individual being a member of the chamber of commerce, should exclude ancl1her because of some personal disagueem ent, is a seri- ous affair. If a hostile army were pouring i'm upon you, you would find ] no such petty reason to withhold your support against invasion. Now there exists for this community problems in its upbuilding of grave concern. Most unfortunate is it your political diff ferences bar you from statehood. Those among you, if there be amy who are not uneasy as to how your water supply for this marvellous valley is to be secured, must indead possess happy dispositions llnsuted to pro- yress. It will not be good business methods for the chamber of comm cree during the ensuing year to adopt some of the methods of the past. You are important enough to maintain a formidable chamber of commerce, with exclusive membership, at cost cf say S25 per year, not payable from month to month, butt in a single or at most
 two payments. You should have in your membership your two railroads
 express company three banks, the three daily papers and the StIockman
 men who occupy federal, territorial
 county, municipal positions, your canal men, Tanchmen, livestock men, man. ufacturers, jobbers, retailers, pro- fessional mem in all walks. The min ing interests have been ignored. , shall not employ space now to say more on this subject. During the win ter the chamber of commerce should hold it's meetings in a room large enough to entertain many persons Your lawyers and men of affairs should thene discuss in council youl family needs, your gifted women con- fer the favor of their talents in music
 and other intellectual matters There is much to be done by an awakened public. DANIEL COX.