The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-27
THE SUGGESTED CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.

There seems TO be a difference OF
opinion as to whether or not a Chamber
of Commerce is Just what is wanted in
this city. When the suggestion was
made that such a body be organized
we thought it a good one, and we think
so still. II would not interfere in the
least with an enlargement of the Board
of Trade, nor would it obstruct the or
ganization of freight bureau as an
attachment of that institution. The
field of operation of the suggested
Chamber of Commerce would be en-
tirely outside of that of either the Cot
ton Exchange or the Board of Trade.
As we understand it the purpose of
a Chamber of Commerce would be to
bring the various interests of the city
together in efforts that might be made
for the city's upbulding In other
words, to get the men who are con-
cerned in promoting the city's welfare
to act in harmony. At present there
is no concert of action, no unity of
purpose. one man pulls one way and
OtlC dllOlnCA. i ICl Z II no 81 = cillAtt DOAy
that speaks for the entire city. The
Cotton Exchange speaks for the cot
ton interests and the Board of Trade
speaks mainly for the wholesale trade
and naval stores interests. But who
speaks for the retail merchants and the
real estate interests These two inter-
ests are as deeply concerned in the up
building of the city as any other. In
fact, they are more concerned, since
they cannot prosper unless the city
prospers.
1t IS true we have the Retail Mer-
chants Association, but it cannot speak
with as much authority or have as
much influence as would a body com
posed of men representing every bust
ness and profession. When the Allan
tic Coast Line dismantled the head
quarters of the Plant System. and
moved the offices to Wilmington, the
it could to make the loss as light as
possible, and it is yet working to pre-
vent the lessening of the Importance of
the machine shops which the Plant
recall it has received no help from
either the Cotton Exchange or the
Board of Trade. Those two bodies are
more concerned about the rates of
transportation than they are about
railroad changes which tend to reduce
the citys population.
If there had been here a Chamber
of Commerce when the Plant System
and the Atlantic Coast Line were con-
solidated it would have voiced the feel
ing of the entire city against changes
that would iniure the city. 1t might not
have accomplished more than the Re-
tail Merchants Association accom-
plished, but it is reasonable to suppose
that the voice of a representative body
such as a Chamber of Commerce would
be would be more effective than that
of an association composed of only a
small portion of our citizens.
This is only one instance where the
need of such an institution as a Cham
Der of Commerce has been felt.
Cases where it would be help
full to the city are likely to
occur at any time. With a Cham
Der of Commerce we should have more
public spirit and greater unity of ac-
ton in all matters pertaining to the
citys welfare.
The Cotton Exchange and the Board
of Trade are excellent institutions in
their respective spheres, but it is i'm
possible to get them to be much if any
thing, more than instruments to adj
sent And it is of the utmost import
ance that those interests should be
represented as intelligently and as
completely as possible. In urging the
organization of a Chamber of Com
MERGE there is no intention to detract
i'll the least from their merits or their
usefulness. 1t is only intended to point
out that they do not cover the field
that it is proposed shall be covered by
a Chamber of Commerce.
AS we have already said there is no
reason why a Chamber of Commerce
should interfere with any other insti-
tuition. There is no reason why it should
be expensive to those selected as its
members. 1t ought not to cost more
than 500 a year. The Mayor has said
that it's meetings might be held in the
long room of the City Exchange. The
only expense therefore would be for a
secretary to keep the minutes, and
there are dozens of thoroughly compe.
tent men who would be glad to per-
form that service for S. a meeting. 1t
is not probable there would be over
twenty meetings a year. The probable
ity is there would not be over a dozen,
unless there should arise some question
requiring a number of conferences.
With a Chamber of Commerce we
should have body in which every in
terest of the city-every important in
terest--would be represented. The bus
mess man, the professional man. the
wholesale and retail merchants. the
real estate man and the banker and
workman would be brought together
on questions involving the welfare of
the whole city. Harmony and unity of
action would be secured and they would
be worth a vast deal in efforts for the
city's upbuilding.
-~-e-s--
A Washington dispatch says Surgeon
General WYman of the Marine Hos