The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-05
ARTICLE 2.

w Z lSG1I ACu OIIt Tic HAOLhkASAAS as
Article / that the continued success
of any community requires hearty CO.
operation of all men composing the
community, and that before we can
hope to attract people and industries
10 a city, We must make the city a
better place in which to live, as "a
well ordered city attracts industries
just as 1t attracts citizens, and for
the same reason"
1t was further suggested in the
quotations of Article that the COM
mercial organization should stand for
unselfishness and public service with
out regard to immediate material re-
suits. for civic pride and local pa
triotism and for helpfulness.
From the Chicago Association of
Commerce, one of the most influen-
tial organizations in the country, We
quote the following paragraphs
showing the varied field of activity
in the great city Of the west:
1.-THE modern commercial club,
chamber of commerce, board of trade.
or association of commerce no longer
confines its principal efforts to the
securing Of factories. 1t has found
more profitable work and better
business policy by getting at the root
OF things in an endeavor to make
city a better, place to live in, a bet
ter place to do business in, better
place to hail from-all other good
things following. The industrial
work with such an organization Is
important but commercial club or
chamber of commerce that gives all
of its attention to merely securing
new factories will not do much good
for the city. It is a mighty good
business policy to forget business
once in while and the material
side of things in dealing with pub
lie problems.
The well ordered community at
tracts industries just as 1t attracts
citizens and for the same reason. 1t
is also comparatively new theory,
and very good one. that 1t pays bet
ter to take good care Of the indus
tries which we have before spending
much time and money and effort to
secure new ones concerning which
we know little. 1t frequently has
happened that we'll established rep
utablc institution has suffered the
lack of financial help or even moral
assistance while at the same time llb"
eral offers were being made to out
side concerns regarding which COM
paratively little was known.
A city which has the reputation Oh
supporting the industries that 1t al
ready has wifi not have to spend
much money in bonuses to secure
more. Davenport, Iowa, has one OF
the best systems for factory getting
and business building Of the several
municipal schemes which are now be-
ing tried out, but in Davenport, you
will find that any reputable local
concern needing additional capital
will have at least an equal chance
with the stranger knocking at the
gate"
Answering briefly your inquiry as
to- what we think an organization
should stand for, we believe 1t should
stand, first of all. for unselfishness,
and for public service without re-
gard to immediate material results.
We believe It should stand for civic
pride, local patriotism and helpful
ness. we believe it should work
closely with the municipal govern
ment, not in critical way nor for
the sake of politics but with the tdea
of mutual helptulness and to see tina!
every honest official gets proper cred
it and proper moral support we oe'
lievc commercial organization
should take an active interest In the
efficiency of public service generally.
and in education matters IS wei as
commercial things; in fact. we be
lieve that Il commercial organization
should have hand in everything In
which the citizenship is interested
except religion and partisan politics.
The secretary OF the Commercial
club OF Kansas City gives the follow
ing good suggestions:
NThe securing OF industries Is but
one Of the many subjects 70 which a