Evening journal., 1913-01-08
THE WORK IN HAND.

THE Wilmington Chamber OF Commerce ia
L started fariy on it's progressive anu aggressive
career With the $4,000 fund practically assured;
with much blood in its membership; with tho
dues placed at figures which should permit it to
finance itself and its activities in future years and
with the members practically unit the hearty de-
sire Of the organization the that II
deserves to be- tho beginning is most auspcious par
tcuary when It has for its business manager such
wide-awake as r. j. Maciean, who unquestonably
will buld up working staff that will produce
suits in tho several channels OF efforts in which the
work of tho Chamber VIII be done
II Is of the utmost importance to the success Of
the trade organization that is in Of formation
that the interest Of the individuals who compose it
shall not be permitted TO lag. The SUCCESS of the
will be measured by the interest the in
dvidual member and everything within reason will
be done to stimulate and maintain that interest The
members attend the meetings and the luncheons
and take acute and active interest in the questions
that are brought up for discussion. They should be
there that projects that for tho good OF the
community shall receive the support Of the Cham
ber and that things that inimcal to the welfare
Of the people and legitimate private interest shall be
frowned upon and, if necessary combatted
There has. been much misunderstanding relative to
the creation Of three classes Of $780,
500 and the S25 classes II has been said that the
idea for creating those classes was to give certain
wealthy men and corporations power to dominate the
! Chamber. Such assertions arc far from the truth.
The three classes created for financial
The Chamber Of Commerce will need thousands Of
dollars each year defray the expenses Of its ac-
tiytes That money could not have been obtained on
basis of S25 a year for dues There we're many men,
bers who were willing to pay dues Of $500 and 500 a
but who thought they should have direct repre-
sentaton the board Of directors they might say
how that money should be spent We do not think any
viii begrudge them that representation Under the
apportionment of directors the $500 members will
have three directors the 500 members six directors
and tho s25 men three directors. In short the $500
members will have only the representation that
viii be enjoyed by the $25 members The s10O mem
bers will hold tho balance Of power on the direc-
torate.
It is not at all likely however that those dstinc-
tions to representation win be drawn when II
10 transacting the active business the Cham
ber That, at least has not been the experience in
other trade organizations similarly constituted Il
usually is discovered that majority the directors
regardless Of class vote together to uphold the in
terests which the organization was formed to con-
serve Nor is any distinction made as among the
classes in the board meetings The $500 member has
only the voice and the same as has the
500 member the s25 member Therefore It will be
seen, no harm is likely to result from the class dis
tnction. In fact perhaps would be we'll if our new
| Chamber of Commerce could have 1000 members OF
the $500 class and few Of the $1,000, or even the
$1,000 class. With such derived from the
payment OF dues. the local organization would be in
that done by the Chambers OF Commerce of Buffalo
and other wide-awake and progressive communities
Tho chief regret should he not that the new Chamber
will have members the $500 GLASS; but that It vii
have entirely too few OF them.
Those who have at heart the interest of the or
ganizatiop and the city should cease all quhbng ant
devote themselves to tho great work in hand. which 1
the Improvement OF existing trade; the getting OF ne1
trade and industries; the widespread and comprehen
sve advertisement of city and the establishment
for It OF reputation convention-hoding centre
II will be discovered when the board of director
and its agents get TO work that all heartily In
cord with such a progressive program, and that III
class distinction among the directors and the member
will be shadow that should frighten one
II Is not right to intimate that any in tn
$500 the 500 class has in mind the pursuance b.
the Chamber OF reactionary policy. The VIII
make up those classes not trade reactonares bu
trade progrossives. Their business show II
They have vital interest in the building up Of ou
city.