The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-18

is infinite within and beyond It's
confines
A commercial association is the
most competent agency possible to
advertise your city's manufacturing,
trading and social advantages. II is
so regarded by those seeking facts.
and its statements command the con
fidence OF the public. The work OF
a commercial association primarily
is TO advance the welfare Or all the
people in q community: hence It is
most difficult to impress many citi-
zens OF the tangible results accom-
plishcd Oftener than otherwise
this is due 10 the fact they are I'M
informed. therefore IL is necessary
to keep your members and the pub
lie informed through the press.
While an association OF this char
actor cannot work for the direct. in
divdual benefit OF its members. in
cidentally benefit accrues to every
member, especially 10 those who at
tend the meetings. they are brought
in contact with the most representa-
tive citizens. thereby broadening &C
quaintance and strengthening friend
ly relations. which means much In
business today and tends to make
the best OF friends OF competitors.
who so often are regarded as enc
mics TO one another.
4 commercial association works
r.raaartr, sHr yg1mn Of
property but to enhance it by its
efforts to increase the number OF
wealth-producing citizens. and It's
watchfulness over receipts and dis
bursements Of taxes from an eco
nomical standpoint. resulting in an
insurance against deprecated values
and a declining city, which condi-
lions prevail in many cities back
ward I'm growth. This being true.
the citizen contributing the amount
of your dues receives an insurance
OF equal If not greater value Tor
the amount thus expended than he
could hope for from any other
source
Every business and professional
man possessed OF reasonable intelli-
gence will concede that growing
city increases opportunity for brains.
energy and capital. 1t encourages
investments. enhances values ana
stimulates energy upon which the
material growth OF a community
must depend. The organized effort
OF your association properly support
ed will do more to bring about a
growing city than any other avail
able influence.
Every child born in a community
and every additional productive cit
izen added to the population tends
TO increase property values and the
purchasing power OF your people.
A large part of a commercial as
sociatlon's work results in attract
ing to your city desirable citizens,
which inevitably means Increased
business.
Cooperation does not end with
the payment of dues and attending
the meetings of the association
Every member should study the con
ditions OF the city. and where ne
thinks improvement possible give
the association the benefit Of his
ideas. If after investigation and
careful consideration your associa'
ton finds the idea impracticable dc
not become discouraged, advance
another. If the organization does
anything you disapprove. criticise
but do not complain or ccnsure OF
resign. as some citizens have been
known to do. Inquiry would prob
ably satisfy you that the action was
justifiable. The latter course woui'
truly indicate a strong mind an'
a high character.
For many years commercial bod
les were operated exclusively for in
dustrial and mercantile benefits. ant
only those thus engaged were mem
bers Many associations have awak
ened to the fact that social anC
governmental conditions. such al
educational, health. parks. etc. have
considerable bearing on the indus
trial growth of a city. While no
political in operation, they use theil
influence in a cooperative way will
municipal and State legislative bod
les to improve their city as far az
possible. Such assistance is usual.
welcomed by public servants, anC
naturally so when they consider thu
fact in most cities about seventy-fiv'
/ per cent of the business and pro
fessional men comprise the associa
tons membership, employing abou
the same per cent OF the WORKING
people, who in turn support the lik'
number of people in the communit,
= who are interdependent for sue
cess, their interest being in common
/ with the representative citizens sucl
as your association should embrace