The Washington herald., 1907-04-07
Business Men Outline Cham
Der Of Commerce Scheme.
BROAD POLICY IS NOW URGED
Question of Amount of Annual Dues
Remains 10 he settIed-secretary
CIum Discusses Luncheon Club
Feature of the Merger of the Two
Business. Organizations.

Men ASSOCIATION ana the JobberS and
Shippers Association charged with the
organization of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce has organized by the cleo
ton of Charles J. Bell as chairman,
James F. oyster as vice president, and
Woodwork Clum as secretary. The cleo
ton Of Mr. Bell was effected through a
motion made by Mr., Oyster.
The business community is watching
with interest the deliberations of this
committee. as it. is conceded that upon
its success depends largely the CONNER
eiaI development of the Capital City It
is understood that at its first meeting the
committee agreed that amalgamation of
the two associations should be effected. If
the material welfare of Washington is TO
be conserved. Considerable discussion
was had as to the proper scope of the
Chamber of Commerce-whether it should
cOnfine its energies exclusively to things
commercial and industrial, or combine the
scope, as well as the strength, Of the
two organizations, and assume guardian
ship over all civic matters
Upon this question. it is understood,
no decision was reached. but that strong
Of Commerce should be broad in its
ambition and general in its feld, ex-
erting its energies along lines that viii
produce the greatest good to the greatest
number II was pointed out by several
members of the committee that, as 1t
would be difficult to draw the line be-
tween subjects commercial and semi
commercial, and every progressive step
of the municipality must carry with il a
corresponding commercial progress. the
Chamber of Commerce could we'll afford
TO interest itself generally in civic pros
perity.
Question of Dues 10 settle.
Another matter that is causing some
concern, according TO one OF the members
Of the committee, is the matter of dues
1t has been pointed out that the great
handicap under which every local COM
mercial organization has had TO work
has been inadequate dues. The annual
dues 10 the Jobbers ad Shippers Associa-
ton are $40 while the Business Mems
Association are only S. 1t is known that
several members of the joint committee,
as we'll as any number of leading mer-
=
are actively interested In its work. favor
an increase in the dues for the Chamber
of Commerce to SIS "a year. or even
higher. As far as can be learned, there
is no probability that the s95 figure viii
be exceeded, but it would not surprise
many who have followed the steps taken
to see the amalgamated organization
start out with SIS dues. thus netting a
sum that will enable the chamber 10
accomplish things
II was learned yesterday that steps are
to be taken By this joint committee to
carry into effect the plans Of a special
subcommittee OF the Jobbers and Shin
pers' Association that mas been working
for several weeks on a commercial
luncheon club. similar to those now in
operation all over the country. This COM
mittee is composed OF II. S. Reside vice
president of the American Security and
Trust Company: Colin II. Livingston. vice
president Of the American National Bank,
and ]. I. Tucker. The committee has sue
ceeded in obtaining the signatures, il is
understood of more than eighty-five
prominent merchants and business men,
agreeing TO help support such luncheon
club. Under the present plan. il is pro-
posed that this special committee con-
tlnue its work, as a special committee
of the Chamber of Commerce. and that its
plans be changed to provide that the
luncheon or dining rooms shall be in the
proposed Chamber of Commerce building.
How Club Building Would Help.
The Chamber Of Commerce, il effected,
says Secretary Clum. will be a satisfac-
tory result of the past year of effort, as
well as a safety notch in the climb we are
making for the Greater Washington. It is
with civic organizations as with private
corporations or personal aenterprises-you
must produce results before the general
public will actually become interested
The Chamber Of Commerce will have
tangible hold on the business community
the very moment ground is broken for the
Chamber Of Commerce building. And the
very moment that building Is available.
and one member can take nonmember
in TO luncheon and exhibit to him the
outward and visible signs of practical
civic prosperity, viii the membership of
the Chamber Of Commerce increase in
leaps and bounds, regardless of the
amount of the annual dues.
1T is much more difficult to get men,
bers at So OF even at s.. a year. when
you have nothing to show them for their
money, than to get them at SIS when you
show them the probability of their getting
their moneys worth. 1t is the same old
proposition Of either paying $40 for moth
ing or S25 for something, and any bust
ness man will elect the latter PROPOSE
ton
with the Jobbers and Shippers As
ISOLATION. we are able to show for our
years work several rearranged freight
schedules and materially reduced
freight tariff. We can show quicker ship
ments to Southern points and from North |
ern points. But this does not interest. di- |
Tectly. the retailer, who buys from the
wholesaler. The result is that those who |
are not shipping freight or receiving |
freight have little reason to know Just |
what progress is being made With a /
magnificent building that we may call our 4
home; with a luncheon room where we /
may meet at noon and get 10 know one 1
another, or where We may bring Gus
toners from out of town; with a coy
corner where some may smoke their 1
cigars and talk business without fear of 4
routine nterruptlOn-with these things 4
accomplished. we can show every busi- /
ness man in Washington why he should /
join hands with us, and why il viii be TO /
his disadvantage TO remain without the 1
pale Of this municipal prOgressivensss. !
The Chamber of Commerce is coming Just /
as sure as the warm weather-and about 4
as soon"