Evening journal., 1912-10-15
NEW LIFE IN BOARD OF TRADE.

VATE delighted to see that an intelligent and
w comprehensive movement is on foot to nfuse
new life into the Wilmington Board of Trade. There
is nothing that is needed by that Organization
which should play in the practical development Of
our city more conspicuous and effective part than
any other civic body have. Heretofore there has
been too much talk and TOO little action There has
been lack Of free and frank interchange Of thought
Too many members have refranod from voicng their
true opinions questions OF public import because
they feared that, they do so, they would
upon the toes Of other members and thereby
bring about acrimonious discussion. In too many in
stances matters Of Importance which should have been
threshed out in the upon the floor of the board
room, have been referred TO committees without de-
bate In other words. things have been permitted to
drift until finally the board being militant
and aggressive body, fighting day in and day out for
the advancement Of the trade interests of CITY,
has become shadow OF what it ought to be-
We sincerely trust that the new movement will lift Il
out Of the slough Of inacton into which it has fallen
and that IL will become in fact as well as in name
potent instrument the upbuding Of the commercial
interests Of Wilmington
Il has been said that from a comparison OF ideas
the truth is evolved II that be So and we think It
is, let have in the Board Trade that comparison
Of ideas which should make for wise solution Of all
questions in controversy Free and full discussion
Eliminates but harms anything that is good;
it usually brings condemnation upon anything that
is bad Then let the members Of the Board of Trade
engage in such discussion Let each member who has
anything to say that is worth while say his say, and
hew to the mark matter where the chips may fall.
But above all other things after the members have
had their say after they have talked themselves out
after they have applied truth and wisdom the SOL
of public question, let there be aggressive action
along the lines indicated by that solution The adop
tion of a motion a resolution does not amount to
anything without subsequent action. II has been said
that hell paved with good intentions II also might
Al. 4.
Of worlds civic organizations plastered with
resolutions which not followed by action. Our
local Board Of Trade has splendid opportunity We
have here city Of approximately 10000 inhabitants.
II possessed Of splendid transportation facilities by
rail and water. Tho people for municipal
development, and they look with friendly eye upon
their Board OF Trade TO bring It about Our fine
community has thousands OF business who are
possessed Of keen intelligence and adequate
ception of the commercial needs of our city and in
addition may be said that there is Board of Trade
in the world that can command freely the as
sstance and the support of the newspapers in the
community in which il operates than can the VIII
mington Board of Trade. We think may say truth
fully that there is not in the State OF Delaware
newspaper that is not the we-wisher Of that board.
SO there exists ideal situation. The trouble is,
that in ten Of the business men in our city is
a member Of the board. There Is one of the
thousands who are not members who could not, il a
member. do something good suggest something
good for the commercial advancement of our city.
The membership should be enlarged until every ward
and square in Wilmington has voice and vote in
the board When the board decides that this thing
OF that thing should be done by Federal State or
city government il should fight until that thing has
been done or II has been demonstrated conclusiyely
that il cannot be done
The trouble heretofore has been that the business
of our Board Of Trade has lacked proper and
sive business management and that the social feature
has entered too slightly into it, The inauguration OF
a Greater Wilmington luncheon plan is step in the
right direction Such weekly or daily Board Of Trade
luncheons have proven wonderfully successful in
other communities and there is no valid reason why
equally valuable results shall not attend them here
We congratulate our Board Of Trade upon this ad-
vance step and take advantage Of this opportunity
to assure the members that THE EVENING JOURNAL
will support both in its editorial and local coums, al
wise plans the board may naugurate for the upbuild
ing Of our city
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