Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-22
U.s.. IS COMPILING
COMMERCIAL LIST

A survey of the activities of the COM
mercial organizations of the United
States, including chambers of COM
merce, boards of trade, merchants as
sociations and similar bodies engaged
In the promotion Of the commercial
and Industrial interests of their re-
spective districts, has been commenced
by the Bureau of Manufacturers, de-
partment of commerce and labor. This
investigation is expected to produce
important results IN extending the USE
fitness of these associations.
Few people realize how powerful
these commercial bodies have become
in the United States and how vital a
factor they are In commercial n in
dustrial progress. They now number
nearly 5000, with memberships n
ing from a few score each to large or
CARNATIONS like the Boston Chamber
of Commerce or the Chicago Associa-
ton of Commerce, thousands of MEM
bers, and exercising activities cover
ing a wide range of interests.
The position of secretary of an active
commercial association Is now a very
responsible one, commanding high tall
ent for service, and the work is really
a new profession, requiring careful
training, wide experience and excellent
judgment.
There was a period not long ago when
the Chamber of Commerce in most
cities was little more than a name.
Little real or practical service was ac-
complished. This state of affairs still
exists in some localities, but the active
commercial organizations in hundreds
of cities ere setting a splendid example
of efficient service. The bureau of
manufactures feels that there Is a very
valuable record to be made of his
service in its multifarious branches.
There has been thus far comparative
ly little relation or cooperation between
such organizations in different parts of
the country. Much useful service is
being carried on in certain active asso-
Citations, which should be established in
commercial bodies everywhere, to the
enormous advantage of the whole coun-
try. not only commercially, but in such
fields as in the development of better
housing conditions, parks, t~ransporta-
lions, charities, ETC., etc.
The publication by the bureau of
manufactures of such a careful and
comprehensive survey of conditions all
over. the United States is a task very
definitely within the functions granted
to the bureau by law, which assigns
to it the duty of collecting useful in
formation' for the promotion of manu-
features.
This is only one of many subjects in
the field of commercial promotion h a
branch of the government will take up
as rapidly as possible. Other matters
which may later receive attention by
the bureau are Packing for Domestic
Shipmen," Commercial Museums"
Location of Industries and similar
factors of general interest to the
manufacturers of the United States.
The bureau has a similar opportunity
and accomplishes much the same pro-
motive service In relation to CONNER
cial and manufacturing interests that
certain of the bureaus of the depart
ment of agriculture accomplish for the
farmer. AS the work of this bureau
develops it will be more widely recog-
nized that the bulletins and circulars
are bringing increased business and
profits to manufacturers just as the
Farmers Bulletins of the department
of agriculture have led to larger crops
and better prices. and added enor-
mously to the value of agricultural
land areas.
Although the bureau devotes much
attention to the extension of American
foreign m and has been an
efficient factor in it's development it
should be realized that 95 per cent. Of
the total product of manufactured ar
ticles of the United States Is consumed
at home. Mr.. Baldwin, the chief OF
the bureau. has invited attention in
his annual report to the vast field of
service for his office in aiding in de-
veloping domestic m in ways
open only to a Federal bureau.
A widespread distribution of the re-
of the useful and constructive
Investigations by commercial agents OF
the bureau in regard to factors in
trade cannot fail to be of
great value to commercial interests.