The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-07
TUESDAY, MAY z. 1901.
The Chamber of Commerce.

Washington is to have a business
body at last-an organization of its
business men and their associates ear
nestly Purposed to advance the city's
commercial Importance. This is the
expectation aroused by the meeting
last night which resulted in the
Washington Chamber of Commerce.
1t is conservative to say that it is
reasonably justified.
The meeting was noteworthy for
many things. ~
First, it was a gathering of bust
ness men. Among the several hun
bred present there was a due pro-
portion of lawyers, physicians, and
other men of professions. But the
majority were actively engaged in
the sale of merchandise, the man
agement of banks, and the shipping
of goods. 1t was they who predomi-
nated-and it is good for the Dis
trict of Columbia that they did.
In the second place, it was a meet
ing of men in earnest. They proved
this in fixing the dues, No other
such local body has ever considered
an annual assessment of $50. Last
night it was adopted with practical
Unanimity. The attitude was that
the chamber SHOULD be an invest
ment worth $50 a year in closer CO.
operation, wider trade-getting, and
larger opportunity, or it should be
nothing at all.
Then, it received and adopted a
constitution aimed directly at re-
suits and prepared on the assump-
ton that those who should vote for
il were ready to work. Directors
and committeeman absent from
three meetings are by its terms dis
placed. General meetings are or
dered for every month in the year
save those of the hot summer. Most
important of all, perhaps, it pro-
vided for the organization within
the larger body of boards, or com
mittees, on special trades and lines
Of business, paving the way for the
utilization of the many merchants
and trade associations which are
now separated and correspondingly
ineffective.
Again, in spirit the meeting was
decidedly exceptional. The constitu-
ton provides that the control of the
Chamber shall rest in the body of its
members. That is well; for from
the ginger of the debate last night,
those business men would have been
satisfied with nothing else. They
took part without hesitation. 1t
was evident they not only hoped for
dollars-and-cents results, but were
determined to start right to get
them. And as that attitude found
constant Reinforcement from the
committee which reported the con-
stitutiOn, the heartiness and conf
dence Of the meeting grew into
demonstration of the finest enthu-
siasm.
The election of the President as
the first honorary member, with his
full approval; the frequent warning
that more business must not mean
less municipal beauty; the selection
Of Mr.. Harper, Mr.. Oyster and Mr..
Bell to direct the first years ac-
Invites; the purpose to make the
erection of a building the first en-
terprise-any one of these things
would have marked a single meeting.
Last night they were cumulative
evidence of the practical earnest
ness Of the business men assembled.
The community will gauge this
new body by work, not enthusiasm.
What it does this first year viii
practically determine its standing.
1t is good to think, therefore, that
last night every step made for re-
suits, and that membership in the
shamber was by everyone regarded
as an investment for the general
and the individual good.