Evening journal., 1912-12-30
orR cHAMRER OF COMMERCE.


Board of Trade and the Manufacturers Association
and 10 organize, upon firm. harmonious and bene6-
cia basis, the Wilmington Chamber Of Commerce.
When the Board Of Trade issued appeal the
ness men OF Wilmington for a fund S25 600, the
understanding that the money was to be used for
four purposes:
The stimulation of the existing business interests
of Wilmington
The procurement of new industries for our city
The systematic and far-reaching advertisement of
Wilmington and the Delaware Maryland-virginia Pen
insula
The popularizng Of our city as a centre for the
holding of conventions
Those the panks OF the platform upon which
the Board Of Trade through the Greater Wilmington
Committee went before the people and made its APP
peal for funds. Other Embarrassing enterprises inter-
fered with that work. When something more than s15-
GOO had been subscribed il was suggested that the
Manufacturers Association come into the movement
and that it make up all a large part Of the defc-
ency The association came in and the preliminary
work Of merging the two. organizations into the Cham
ber Of Commerce was accomplished temporary
board of directors named, and everything ind-
Gated an auspicious beginning when trouble arose
It was asserted that the merger had been effected
without the presence Of and that there had
been resort to irregular methods
without entering upon discussion OF the merits or
dement's Of What has become regrettabe CON
troversy, THK evening JOURNAL. which has
been folcmos the movement to boost the city Of
Wilmington wishes to advance for the consideration
Of the eontroyersialiss several plain undeniable
truths
Frst-Tha the members Of the Board of Trade
and those of the Manufacturers Association are en-
titled to just and equitable representation in the
directorate of the Chamber Commerce and that
each side should respect the representative rights Of
the other
second-That Chamber OF Commerce that is born
in sets upon its under very unfor-
nd mil I cholso off
attitude Of it's BIRTH will fail serve any pur-
pose in community in which It exists
Third-That Chamber Of Commerce. to be success
ful in community, must represent the progressive
spirit and ambitions of that community and enjoy to
the utmost the friendship, confidence and support
the people
Fourth-That a Chamber Of Commerce that does not
regard its paramount functions the promotion and
conservation of the public interests the upbuildng
legitimate private interests; the protection of the pub
lie and legitimate private interests against exploit
tation and spolation by selfish and unworthy private
interests the uplift Of existing business procure
ment of new business and industries the WISE system
attic and widespread advertisement Of the community
and the procurement Of representative and desirable
conventions has excuse for its existence
Fifth-That Chamber of Commerce. to be success
full must be regarded by the business community as a
body that does represent merely big business
little business but al business and the general well
fare Of the city in which it exists
SNth-Ihat IN the organization OF Chamber of
Commerce no heed should be paid to either the ambi-
tons dsappontments Of those who seek prefer
ment but that each director each officer and each
should be selected because his fitness to per-
form the duties of his office, and his willing
and determination do it,
We think that if these six things be borne in mind
by those who engaged in the controversy they
will experience difficulty in reaching a common
ground of understanding that Will be beneficial to the
city, the Chamber OF Commerce and themselves They
should remember that the Chamber has been formed
not for month year, but for decades. and that
II Il is continue to exist and be supported as
deserves to be supported, it produce results.
Business men, and sentmentalists or visonares,
are behind this movement and they want returns for
the money they already have put into il and that they
viii be asked put into It in future for its support
BY results alone will the Chamber be measured and
its members had better compromise their differences
and settle down to the work Of producing them. II
they don't the time they go the business men
and ask money. they will receive answer they
richly deserve
We feel that nine-tenths of the interested
in the Chamber Commerce appreciate these aud
that they viii do everything within meet the
demands of the hour.
There is little merit, think. in the objection to
the classification Of the members. has great fnan-
cial value and does interfere with the rights of
any the members TO the full enjoyment of the bus
ness and social benefits of the Chamber