The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-09-22
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..
Duties OF Such an Organization
Briefly Outlined.
(By Luther Ell son, Secretary Ian
caster Chamber of Commerce)

(By Luther Ell'son. Secretary Lam
caster Chamber of Commerce.)
Why should a city have a Cham
ber of Commerce? This question
has been asked me several times
since l arrived to take charge OF the
I local organization. l will endeavor
| to answer same as briefly as possible
in the following manner:
Because If it lives up to its duties,
/ it will be the most potent force in
/ the community for progress. Its
duties are to do anything and every
thing necessary for and incident to
the upbuilding and development OF
the city and it's environs. It's duty
Is not only to make the city grow
but also to make it a better, more
sanitary, a prettier and more enjoy
able place in which to live.
Its province or field OF work
reaches out into every branch and
takes cognizance of every phrase of
the city's life. The commercial in
terests, retail and manufacturing;
the professional interests; the gov
ernment of the city. county and
state, the social side OF the city's
life where il touches the question of
public morals and health; all OF
these. and in truth every channel OF
activity comes under its practical
eve.
The Chamber OF Commerce has
first duty in which it must bring all
of the elements OF the entire com
munity, county as we'll as city. to-
gether into one compact body work
ing for the uplift or the community.
IT must teach the individuals COM
posing these elements the lesson OF
achievement through cooperation.
1t must arouse the citizens from the
old time lethargy TO a Quickened in
terest, and always and everywhere
preach the gospel OF sane, safe and
sound development unselfishness.
public-spiritedness and civic pride.
It's motto must be IF it's good for
the community, then let us have it,"
What helps the city as a whole, has
like beneficial effect upon every
one within its boundaries.
Not only the business and pro
fessional men make good "City
Boosters" but also the young men,
the clerks in the store, the women
both in the house and in the Office
or store, and the children in the
schools. 1t is the duty of The
Chamber of Commerce to so spread
propaganda of development as to OBJ
tits propaganda of development as to
obtain the efficient aid of all these
forces. Many organizations secure
much OF their force and power from
their women's auXiliaries. In cam
paigns for sanitation, their help
is inCalculable.
The Chamber OF Commerce has a
duty toward the city government.
which it cannot afford to overlo nk
i'm spite OF the howls of many poll
fnf, l. Ia,
the decline when the business in
Of investigation upon his maneu-
vers. Every effort should be made
to work with the administration in a
most amicable way, but II this is not
possible and such right is denied. il
is then the duty OF the organization
to continue to interest itself in the
affairs OF the city government.
The Chamber OF Commerce has
this right, because it's members are
the heavy tax payers. its business
men make the city habitable. No
city could run without them. They
are vital, and so, being vital, they
have the first moral right to speak
in the control and management of
the city affairs. 1t is the duty of the
Chamber Of Commerce to interest
may have an effect upon the citv.
The astute nJility and acumen OF
the business mind is necessary for
the successful handling OF such
questions as taxation. 1t needs a
business head to work out the in.
tricacies of financing great public
improvements.
1t is the duty of the Chamber OF
Commerce to conduct it's affairs
upon a business basis. Whether in
the location of industries or in an
effort to secure other needed inn
provements, there should be a busi-
ness-like method adopted. 1t is tho
duty Of the organization to interest
itself in educational matters. Upon
the schools depend the future ability
and activity Of the city's people. The
Chamber OF Commerce should exert
its most wholesome influence for
the continual development OF the
schools and school system.
1t is the duty Of the Chamber OF
Commerce to give sound publicity to
the city's advantages and to do
everything in its power to eliminate
all forms of detrimental publicity
1t is its duty to endeavor in all right
ways TO attract new residents and
new business and to assist i'm their
location in all legitimate ways. The
Chamber Of Commerce should also
interest itself in the improvement
and welfare Of the surrounding com
munity tributary to the city. The
farmers interest is augmented very
closely with that of the merchant
banker and business man; his sue
cess means their success; hence, toe
much importance cannot be attach
10 this one feature OF the organiza