Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-23
Chamber of Commerce.

Shaihoci VI OOuuuleICc Ut DOdIu u
Trade stands as the concrete represen
tative of community which desires t
do something for itself. Therefore the
natural inference is that any commu
nifty which has not organized in some
form to further its interests is not de-
termined to push itself forward.
So far as mere figures go, the Pacific
coast is strong in the idea OF community
promotion, but when we examine the
work actually accomplished there Is q
keen feeling OF disappointment. Toe
many of these organizations were effect.
ed under the impulse OF some passing
fancy. Quite likely some OF them
were organized by men who had nc
right conception Of the work they should
take up.
Just as live, hard-working Chamber
Of Commerce is blessing to commu
nifty, so a dormant or dead organization
is curse. A town afflicted with an
organization which has ceased to produce
results is helpless until freed from the
incubus.
An organization Of some kind is neces-
sary in order for group Of men to work
harmoniously together, but it lie alsc
the handiest way in the world for O
group OF men to shift responsibility and
get rid OF work.
First of all then, organize Chamber o
Commerce and see that the men in di
rect charge are men who will give it the
same vital, personal attention which
they expect to give to their own bust
ness or il your town already has pub
lie body which is not doing what il
should, take the proper steps to reorga
nize, to draw in new blood. Rejuvenatt
the skeleton.
What would be the sense in inviting
people to settle in your community
when their first visit there might
shock them over some OF the con-
ditions which you have neglected and
which might have been corrected by
concerted action. l say first OF all
make your community what it should
be as a place to live In and place to dc
business in. Now Just "what it should
be" is point that no one can know
so well as the leading business men oi
the town-the men who should be in con.
troll OF your Chamber of Commerce. II
is question to be decided entirely by
local environment.
Prepare figures and institute careful
comparisons between your own town
and other towns situated similarly. II
you find that your town is doing less for
the surrounding country, and conse-
quently is not in good repute, you can
be sure that it will lose trade. Here is
work for yon to do.
II you find that the products OF the
territory which you should draw from
are not flowing through your town, you
are not offering the proper marketing
conditions. Get to work and make
them right.
If it comes to your ears that travelling
men are not properly entertained, or
that tourists go away dissatisfied, it is
a big mistake to let il continue. A few
people OF this kind travelling about the
country will soon do you irreparsble
damage. ApI oint committee, and
find out v hat is the trouble and correct
it.
II the local papers do not seem to be
giving all the attention they should to
the big enterprises OF your town, see
what is the trouble. Chances are that
the publisher is not getting the support
which he deserves. There is no man
more devoted to the interests OF his
community than the newspaper man in
the West, but he needs support and
backing.
The list of local work TO be done nigh
be extended almost indefinitely, but
think this makes it clear that all OF tn,
advertising which community gets il
not bought and paid for at go much pei
inch. When you have carefully gon'
over every point which might atfec
your. welfare along such lines as hav,
suggested. it is then time to take ul
what is more generally considered thu
advertising question. The diferen
phases If this advertising work viii
come up in subsequent articles w, d
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