Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-09-30
The Chamber Of Commerce


Commerce have wearied of trying to
boost city whose citizens appear Sc
apathetic as has Aberdeen's of recent
months, and rendered their resigna.
tons is no surprise to those who have
kept in touch with the efforts of that
organization. President Mumaw and
the other officers of the Chamber have
worked hard, with such poor support
that it is small wonder that they be.
came discouraged
The dues were lowered in an at.
tempt to increase the numerical
strength, in the idea that the finan-
cial deficiency would be made up BY
Increased membership but such has
not been the case. The forlorn hope
laid in the possibility of a publicity
tax. which would have permitted the
engagement of live-wire secretary
calculated to produce results, but so
much opposition to this tax develop
ed that the officials threw up their
hands, and concluded they could get
along without a Chamber of Com
MERGE if the other citizens could, and
there we are. We are tempted to re-
produce an editorial published in
these columns on July 10. 1911. which
seems particularly pertinent at this
time-as it was then. 1t follows:
1.-THE Herald would like an answer
to this query from every man in Alb
erdeen, who is interested-and bene-
fitted-by it's upbuilding. Are you
a member of the Aberdeen Chamber
Of Commerce or. if not, why? The
chamber is doing it's best to further
the advancement of the city, and. con-
sequently the material interest of its
members. and can only secure maxi
mum results through the co-opera-
ton of every citizen.
"Various excuses are made for non
membership, among which is that
the actions or conduct of the cham
Der does not meet their views. This
is so flimsy that it is only used by
such as wish to avoid the small finan-
cial cost, and is too absurd for seri-
Gus consideration. The Chamber of
Commerce is just what the citizenship
of the city makes it, no better. no
worse. If the methods. actions or re-
suits of the chamber are not accord
ing to your views. Mr. Non-member
reader, that is just the reason that
you should join in and give that body
the advantage of your ideas
Aberdeen has. perhaps, as small a
percentage of knockers as any city
of like size but it has full quota
of men who positively decline to aid
in it's upbuilding. either by their adj
vice or money and it is to this class
this effusion is pointedly directed
full growth of Aberdeen. but deny
that such development was acceler'
ated by anybody. They proceed upon
the theory that the city has grown
through the accident of destiny. and
folding their hands complacently. re-
ceive the "unearned (by them incre'
ment." through the enhanced value OF
their holdings.
But, the Increment" has been earn
ed by somebody. at least to large
extent. Its cost should be shared by
us all alike. and the man who evades
refuses or bubbles over bearing his
share of the burden can we'll be &C
cused of moral larceny. The bylaws
of the chamber have now been chang
ed so as to place in its membership
every man in position to be bene-
fitted by it's work. and there is no
valid reason why its rolls should not
contain 1000 names. Patriotism does
not alone consist in fighting the bat
ties of your country in war but OF
your community in peace, as we'll.