The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-01-24
THURSDAY. JAN. "a, 1901.
THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

So far the local Merchants Asso-
citation has received all possible en-
coursgement from the community
and there are no reasons why the
organization should not prove very
benefcent, not alone to the mercan-
tile interests but to the city at
large. The following editorial re.
marks of the s. F. Call should be
thoughtfully read by every citizen
who in any way can assist in further
ing the. object of our local Mer-
chants Associations:
By way Of New Year greetings
the Merchants Association Review
presents to the people in the Janu-
ary number an earnest plea for
united action in all movements tend
ing to the advancement of the city.
1t very justly says: "Mere location
in the highway Of commerce will
not OF itself create metropolis.
Climate and soil will not determine
the result. Many of the worst
allure in cities are the worlds ideal
spots; some OF the most successful
communities are almost barren of
natural resources. That city car
ries off the palm whose citizens
seize the opportunity"
The Merchants Association can
with good grace make this plea for
unity and for action, since it has
itself practiced what it breaches
and set the example it desires others
to follow. The Review states that
there at present $500 legitimate
business houses in San Francisco,
and over half of the number have
already enrolled as members of the
association. That in itself is a
record to be proud of. 1t is ques-
tionable whether any other large
city in the Union has an institution
devoted to the service of the public
which has been able to draw to its
membership 80 large proportion
of the business population.
The success which has attended
the association is due to what it
has done for the public more than
to what it has done for it's members.
1t is because it has proven itself
useful to the whole community
that the business men of the city
have in such large numbers united
themselves with it. and that fact is
creditable alike to the organization
as a whole and to the individuals
who compose it.
The success attained in the past
gives promise of greater successes
to come. More than half the bust
ness houses of the city are now al
lied with the association. Why
should not all be allied with itf
The conditions OF the commercial
world at this time render it import
ant that San Francisco exert the
full force of all her enterprising
men at this juncture. The rapidity
with which Pacific Ocean trade is
developing and shaping its course
makes this critical period in the |
history OF the city. As has been
said by the Review: "As certain as
the earth's revolution, one of the
worlds greatest cities will exist on
the Pacific Coast. Whether it will
be on Puget Sound, or in Oregon,
or in Central or Southern Califor-
mia, will depend upon the compare
tive capacity of the peo-
pie OF Seattle, or Portland, Los
Angeles or San Francisco to win the
prize"
Here, then, are great issue and
a golden opportunity. We cannot
meet the one with assurance OF
victory nor fully profit by the other
unless there be unity OF action
among our citizens. The men who
have upheld the Merchants Associ-
stion in the past should support it
now with increased ardor, and those
who have hitherto held aloof should
low unite with it and make up for
'ormer apathy by zeal in the future.