The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-20

NEED FOR GETTING TOGETHER.
What Mayor Myers said yesterday
in his interview published in the Morn
ing News about the need for the bust
ness men of this city getting together
and working in harmony for the citys
interests the Morning News had said
many times, but it was nevertheless
timely, and to the point. 1t is as the
Mayor says, namely, that our business
men are so much concerned about their
individual interests that they have but
little time or inclination to look after
the city's interests as a whole. When
there is trouble about the transporta-
ton of cotton or some other matter
affecting that product the Cotton Elk
change is aroused, and when the naval
stores business is being injured in
some of the many ways in which il
can be injured the Board of Trade has
a meeting and decides upon a course
of action.
But there are many things which are
intimately connected with the welfare
of the city that need attention, and
there ought to be some way in which
it could be given them. In these things
the business men of the entire city are
either directly or indirectly interested.
Some years ago a club-the CONNER
cial Club it was called-was organized
with the view of bringing the business
men together, but it's social features
finally proved to be its ruin. 1t never
did accomplish what it was hoped it
would. Many of the men who were
expected to visit it seldom appeared
there. AS far as the welfare of the
city was concerned therefore the club
accomplished nothing.
But would it not be well to have an
organization-a Chamber of Commerce,
for instance-that would cover the field
that is not touched by either the Cot
ton Exchange or the Board of Trade?
In such an organization there should
he representatives of the professions
and all branches of business. The
body should not be a large one-not
large enough to be unwieldy-but it
should be composed of intensely earn
est men, men who are thoroughly
identified with the city and who are
willing to make some sacrifices of time
in order to advance it's welfare.
Those who have read the Mayors in
terview will, we think, see many rea-
sons why such an organization would
be a good thing for the city. For one
thing, it would help to bring business
men in closer touch with each other, and
it would help to bring about that har-
mony among all classes of workers for
the citys upbuilding which is regard
cd as so necessary for the promotion
of the city's growth.
AS the situation now is. there is but
little unity of purpose, and while there
is no lack of loyalty to the city much
of the energy that might be applied
to the citys upbuilding is wasted, be-
cause of a want of united action and in
telligent direction. Would it not be
a good thing for the city if, following
out the ideas thrown out by the Mayor,
steps should be taken at once for the
organization of a Chamber of Com
merce?
And it would not be necessary to in
cur any considerable expense, though
doubtless there are those who, If they
took an interest in the matter would in
sist upon having separate building
and corps of clerks. 1t would be
necessary to have meetings only oc-
casionally. and they could be held In
the Council room of the City Exchange.
For very small compensation the ser
vices of competent person could be
obtained to keep the minutes. Is the
matter not worth thoughtful consid-
Grafton?