Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-25
The Chamber of Commerce.

As The Star has already indicated il
believes that great benefit to the commu
nifty will result if from the merger of the
Jobbrrs and shippers Association and the
Business Mems Association a strong dis
tinctiVcly commercial organization shall be
developed. fundamentally differing from
broadly representative citizens associations
like the business Mems Association and the
Board of Trade. If. on the other hand.
the effect of the merger is to destroy the
Jobhcrs and Shippers Association, the only
distiuctvely commercial organization in the
local field and to create another strong
representative citizens association on the
lines of the Board of Trade. commercial
Washington Will probably be the loser.
The Jobbers and Shippers Association
was organized to meet recognized COM
munjty need. not adequately covered by
such broadly representative organizations
as the Business Mems Association and the
Board of Trade. The latter organizations
represent the general interests of the whole
city; the Jobbers and Shippers Association
aimed to promote purely commercial inter-
estS, just as the sectional citizens associa-
tons foster exclusively sectional interests.
There is no necessary clash between any of
these Organi cations man may well be-
long to an association to promote the local
interest of his section, and at the same
time to another solely to promote COM
mercial interests, If he is merchant or
manufacturer. or affiliated with them. and
a, the same time to another in which. in
combination with citizens of all the sections
and all ocCupatio he fights for projects
which promote the welfare of the COM
muuity whole. On this principle many
members of the Board of Trade and of the
Business Mems Association joined the job
b-rs and Shippers Association. During it's
brief life, and in its limited field. the latter
organization has done practical, effective
work II merger will keep its commercial
purposes conspicuously to the front and
will bring to their specific and exclusive
advancement the money and influence of all
the Citys merchants. manufacturers and af-
fIiated citizens, the strongest possible i'm
pulse will be given to the Greater Com
mercial Washington.
Campaigns of commercial publicity, like
that conducted through the Greater Wash
ington special train, cost much money.
Campaigns 10 cheaper and render equitable
freight rates and to prevent discrimina-
tons demand legal advice and services,
require constant and Intelligent vigilance
and involve considerable expense. Com
mercial secretaries to boom local manufac-
lures and local trade are expensive,
whether viewed as luxuries or necessities.
Money is needed to finance the city's COM
mercial campaign, and it must be put up
primarily by those who will profit most
by the growth of the city's trade. The
merchants and manufacturers of the city.
whether organized Jobbers and Ship
pers' Association or as Chamber of
Commerce or under any other name must
finance and control the city's commercial
campaign, if il Is to be vigorous and effect
i've.
The best wishes of the whole community
will attend the birth of the new Chamber
of Commerce. AS the citys distinctively
commercial organization, with adequate
dues and financial resources, and with the
strength that comes from concentration of
purpose and effort. it can do far more in
the rapid upbulding of commercial Wash
tngton than any representative citizens as
ISOLATION like the Board of Trade with its
so nOn-COmmercial members The latter
organization and such successors to it on
similar lines the future may develop
Will be essential to the city's welfare In
voicing the general public sentiment. and
especially in securing from Congress the
consideration and wholesome legislation
which will make the capital more beautiful,
more healthful more attractive on artistic
educational, literary and intellectual lines
and as natural result, more prosperous.