The National tribune., 1910-03-24
A New Commission of Industries.

Where? In the most unlikely place
imaginable, and the personnel of the
organization consists of strangely di-
formed not long ago in the city of
Adana, Turkey, for the purpose of de-
veloping native industries and supply
ing the needy people with work. Among
the so men who form the official body
are the Mayor, the Chief of Police, the
President of the Criminal Court. lead
ing merchants of various races, the
British and Persian Consuls, Armenian
Bishops, Gregorian priests and Direc-
tor of the Government tobacco monopo-
ly. 1t was a picturesque scene when
they gathered for the formal opening of
the work, the ecclesiastics in black caps
and flowing garb touching elbows with
the young English Consul in silk hat
and frock coat, or an old MoSlem teach
er in white turban and fur-lined coat
near neighbor to a plain American. The
seat of honor was accorded to the new
Turkish Governor of the Province, who
has initiated SO many practical reforms
that old Turks are sitting up and rub
bing their eyes. Nearly everyone was
putting away at cigarets, which Turkish
etiquet offers as soon as guests arrive,
and before business came also the ScrV-
ing of coffee, whose excellence was at
tested by loud slipping of the lips. Then
several of the men produced strings of
beads, which they carry to toy with
when the fingers are not busy. This is
said to quiet the nerves.
One of the speakers, the head of the
military force in the city. said that ser
vice to humanity is the only thing of
permanent value in human life" Shades
of Mahomet. what a sentiment to fall
from the lips of a Moslem! Both this
officer and the Governor paid a high
compliment to the President of the new
Commission, saying that in his hands
the enterprise would be administered
with perfect integrity" something al
most unknown in a land where bribery
and corruption have reigned supreme
for centuries. The Government has in
trusted him with $4,000 as capital for
the enterprise. and he also serves with
out pay as President of the Internal
tional Relief Comm ttee and on all the
Government Relief Committees. Be-
side this, he has established a hospital
which is open to ALL so far as limited
equipment and capacity will allow. This
capable administrator is an American,
Rev. w. n. Chambers. of Adana. For a
Turkish Governor to>siye public recog-
milton to a foreigner, and a Christian
missionary at that, to put so large a
sum of money into his control and sub
Ject TO ms ORDER, IS an act without pre-
cedent and Of great significance.
The particula- industries already
started are Oriental embroideries and
lace work, and many beautiful articles
were on exhibition this opening day
The necessary training in neediework
had been given by Mrs. Shepard, of
Aintab. whose husband is one. of the
ablest physicians in Asia Minor. After
the speeches and more coffee the Turk
ish officials seemed as eager TO buy as
women at a bargain sale in the United
States. The counter revolution last
April cost the lives of $4,000 men and
laid in ashes much of Adana, Tarsus
and the surrounding villages. thus
throwing thousands of helpless women
and children upon the community. The
Commission is sign that the Young
Turk Party is determined to bring har-
mony and prosperity to that unhappy
country. and is grateful for the practi-
cal assistance of American missionaries.
There are branches in other parts of
the DrOViDcp