The Alaska citizen., 1910-09-05
A DRAWBACK TO THE CITY

A meeting was called for Fri day evening to discuss the reorgan- iZation of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.
 When the time for holding the meeting arrived, il was found that only five were present. They were J. A. Clark, the pres dent of the Chamber; J. A. Jackson, Ed Vol colt, ]. II. Caskey and A R. Iieilig. Consequently, it was found impos- sible to hold the meeting.
 Now there may be many in town who think that chamber of com merCe fultils no useful purpose, and there may be others who. while be leving in the usefulness and neces- sity of such a chamber. could not manage to attend the meeting; but it is nevertheless fact that the lack of interest shown in the cham Der of commerce is a reflection up on the intelligence, if not the san ity, of the business men of this community.
 For the past two years letters from intending settlers, investors and others have been pouring into Fairbanks. but for want of an ac- tive Shamber of Commerce, these letters have remained unanswered, and capital and settlers driven away from the district
 It is impossible to understand the apathy of the business men in this matter. There is not village in the states which has not some sort of body to further the commercial interests of the community, and yet here. with millions of wealth at their feet, the business men stand gaping at one another like lot of fools. waiting for some thing to turn up-waiting for the prospectors and other men on the creeks to find something,' so that the merchants can continue to get business in the old, old way, with out effort or worry.
 A week or so ago, when offered a free ride over the railroad, many tumbled over each other in their anxiety not to be left behind; but when it comes to sacrificing half an-hour or so of their leisure to dis cuss a business proposal in which they dlt NllhilN iiiANit itotSt' "i'ii common consent they leave it to the other fellow to do the work.
 This sort of business cannot con tinue Unless the business men of this camp bestir themselves they will find that they are out of the race, and that younger, and more energetic class has superseded them.
 This camp cannot grow as it should do so long as the leading merchants and business men play a waiting game. They must get up and do something to make this section more widely known. The Fairbanks district only needs to be advertised intelligently to become the most prosperous section of the country once more. We say intel ligently advisedly, because it makes Us almost doubt that intelligence is longer a factor in the development of this camp, when we see such disgraceful apathy in public af- fairs as that exhibited last Friday.
 The Cordova Chamber of Com merce is a live active body, and the result is seen in the prosperity of their town.
 At present they want our CO., operation in getting better mail service Will they receive it? Or will they have to ring off and put us down as no-account has beens.
 The following telegram was re- ceived on Saturday by John A. Clark from the Cordova Chamber:
 'Cordova, Aug. 26. Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce:
 Acting in conformity with your petition of last year, Cordova is