Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-12-16
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

to postpone his visit South. Dem.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
A nnual Meeting - Election Of Officers and
Plans for Action.
The Chamber of Commerce, at its
annual meeting Tuesday night, had a
fair attendance, and elected the fol-
lowing officers for the ensuing year ::
President, r. R. Streets; Vice Presi-
dent, Henry Drum; Secretary, Fred.
Schomber; Corresponding Secretary,
A. S. Cation; Treasurer, w. A. Hage-
meyer.
Mr.. Cation created some degree OF
interest in the otherwise dry and
formal proceedings, by a heart.to-
heart talk on the disposition of Olym.
pia people to complain of their
local surroundings and prospects. He
seemed entirely obliviOus Of the fact
that his speech was off precisely the
same piece of goods of which he was
complaining-from a different point of
view, of course, and probably, for that
cause, unobjectionable.
When Secretary Schomber said he
had not time to answer all the letters
of inquiry received regarding our
county, it seemed to be an occasion for
Mr.. Cations wall; but be it noted that
he prefaced his comments by an offer
to reply to all inquiries in the hands
of the Secretary, personally. He
then declared that our community
had the most determined and per-
sistent class OF knockers" ever en-
countered. They scare away strangers
by statement of cold facts that fairly
paralyze the enthusiasm of investors.
The feeling seemed to permeate the
entire community. The press can do
much, he said, to change this condi-
ton. But how are they to do is? BY
suppressing facts or disappearing
conditions? (The query is ours.)
The mossbacks" would be very
glad to see the NEW blood" take q
lead in development of enterprise, but
they do think that the burden Of ne
elected opportunities placed upon
their shoulders by those whose bust
ness seems to be to promote develop.
ment of resources, is more than they
can bear without protest. New COM
ers should bear in mind that the
pioneers made it possible to exploit
projects for all sorts of enterprise
now.
Mr.. Cations remarks were greeted
with the applause that a vigorous
" roast" always calls forth, when Mr..
Byrne, the retiring President, arose
and said that he had about concluded
to maks no formal report, but he
would now merely state that the moss.
backs Of Olympia, in years gone by.
had encountered much cause for
present dependency. The Chamber
of Commerce was the successor OF the
Board of Trade, formed by a dozen or
more OF prominent citizens who had
contributed $50 each to start it. That
organization had done good work, and
it was probably due to its efforts that
the capital location vote was success
full and the permanent selection made
provided for in the State Constitution.
This and other successes were followed
by days of depression, especially after
the boom days, which left our people
with property values inflated beyond
reason and heavy taxes to pay. 1t
was no surprise that our people be-
came discouraged, when about thirty
per cent OF their holdings were con.
iscated for taxes. He was in favor of
infusing "new blood" into the Cham
Der, in the hope that it might be
beneficial. In fact he felt optimistic
enough to wish and predict success.
The financial report Of the Secretary
showed an indebtedness OF $4S, which
was considered a good report, from
the fact that the deficit is less than is
was last year. 1t was here that the
Secretary stated his inability to make
personal response to many letters OF
inquiry. As fully one.half these let
tiers were written on postal cards, cost.
ing one cent, it does not seem that
much has been lost by saving twice
that amount in postage. In the ei.
fort constantly being made to induce
immigration, very little attention is
given to the class of population who
may be desirable. Most promoters
seem to think that an influx OF popu.
lation is desirable. irrespective of capa.
bility or qualification to add to the
industries OF the country or develop.
ment OF the State. 1t is safe to say
that many letters of inquiry are writ.
ten simply through curiosity, without
any serious intent of betterment of
by seeking new fields of
endeavor. 1t 10 folly to encourage the
ingress Of people who do not bring
something to build up the common
wealth, either in Drawn, brain or
capital.
A special meeting was called for
next Tuesday night, to formulate
plans for the exhibit at the Lewis and
Clark Fair, in Portland. next year, and
Messrs. Reinhart, Holbrook and MUIR
ply were appointed a committee to
suggest matters for consideration on
that subject.
The special committee have ar.
ranged for the discussion OF the fol.
lowing topics at the meeting Tuesday
night, which the citizens generally are
requested to attend:
LIST, Shall Thurs ton County Make
an Exhibit at the Portland Fair? P.
NJ. Troy selected for the leading ad.
dress.
I'd, What Shall Our County Ex-
hibit at That Fair? o. D. Sullivan to
lead.
Sd. How Shall We Manage the Elk.
hibit? ]. w. Bachelor.
4th, How Shall We Care for the
People Who. Will Visit Our Town
During the Fair? Peter Mckenzie
and Mr.. Haycox.
9Th, How Much Shall We Expend
in Making Our Exhibit and How Shall
We Raise the Funds? Willard Lemon.
9Th, What Advantage is the County
Likely to Receive From the Exhibit?
]. OBJ. Scobey.
7th, What Literature Shall We Pre-.