Evening journal., 1913-10-15
ROCKS AHEAD
OF MERGER OF
ASSOCIATIONS
Mercantile Body FrOwnS on
Plan Unless Chamber Of
Commerce Amends by
COMMITTEES, HOWEVER
WILL DISCUSS PLAN

DECLARING that he and lucius VIII
son. of the Wilson McKeand Company.
who are striving to secure 1000 mem
bers for the Mercantile Association.
would remain here six months. III
necessary. 10 secure members even
/ n they had to spend their own money,
Joseph s. Leopold. of the same COM
lpany opposed any merger with the
Chamber OF Commerce az the lunch
eon of the Mercantile Association. at
Ainscow's at noon today. unless the
merger could be made on a uniform
basis. The question OF the proposed
merger was discussed at the meeting
and at times discussion on Il waNod
warm. This was true when Mr.
Leopold referred TO the classification
plan OF the Chamber of Commerce as
Ia "pocketbook arisiocracy."
Thomas s. Doherty. a member Of
the Chamber OF Commerce. who was
ipresent at the luncheon. said he was
sorry the question had been given
publicity He opposed the publicity
and I'm concluding his remarks. ne
said he favored the merging of the
two organizations The question wns
drought up by Howell Il. England.
who followed Mr.. Leopold who spoke
on the work that had been accom-
lplshed
Mr. England saidi "Yod have noticed
In the papers of u tender being made
by the Chamber of Commerce 20 unite
with them. Before our campaign start.
ed the Chamber of Commerce did not
recognize as AS am organization. Now
want 10 supplement what has been
said in the paper. with the announce.
ment that the Mercantile Association
will not merge unless the bylaws of the
Chamber of Commerce are amended IA
as 10 make All members of one class
irrespective Of how much they pay
y Harry s. Rodearmel said he did not
favor the antagonism displayed ami
took exception 20 the statements of Mr..
Leopold relative TO the term pocket
book arstocracy." Relative 90 Mr
Leopolds statement that John H. Pat.
terson OF Dayton had done so much for
that town. Mr. Rodearmcl said we
should not lose sight of what certain
people had done for Wilmington, es-
pecially the duPonts who had a large
theatre erected here which was a credit
10 the city.
George Carter said it was unfortunate
that the question of merging shoul,
have come mp while the membership
campaign of the Mercantile Association
was under way Mr.. Carter explained
that because of the question of mergin
many business men were ON the fence
not knowing whether the two organiza
/, tion- were TO unite This, hetsaid. wa
!. a handicap 10 the managers OF the can
\ paicn and IL the two organi1atiour wei
= to merge " should be done at once.
Mr. England then explained th
while Il had been expected the Cnan
Der of Commerce would make prol
% osition 10 merge by next January tl
offer had been made sooner and yea
!, terday the committees OF the two on
Il ganizations held a meeting The
then agreed 10 meet again next We'd
nesday At yesterdays meeting th
Chamber of Commerce committee wer
informed that the Mercantile Associa
tion planned 10 keep 70 the middle o
, the road. Mr.. Leopold said his organ
ization would remain here and secure
members for the Mercantile Associa
tion. which would be founded alon.
democratic lines
: Mr. Doherty said he regretted that
. publicity had been given the matter
, He thought the right way TO handle
the question was 10 allow the com
niittees 10 continue and handle the
matter He thought they woul,
handle the matter discreetly. but h
opposed any publicity being givci
the questions brought up al the meet
ings. In reference 20 the work TO b
g done. Mr. Doherty said that thos
e present. n organized, could secure 5O
5 members for the Mercantile Associa
ton in two weeks. In conclusion Nh
4 Doherty said he saw no reason VIII
I the two organizations uhould no
q combine.
= James II. Wright and others spok
r. On the subject
a During the luncheon Vice PresideI
\ Steinle spoke Of the smoker 10 be hel
y tomorrow evening In the Hotel du
Pont and he urged an to De presen
Mr.. Steinlo also said that altor a.
meeting today the Board o. Director
would hold a meeting.