Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-15
SAN .FRANCISC0 PLAN
SHOULD BE SUCCESS
IN COMBINED BODIES

Giving his opinion on the proposed
amalgamation of the Chamber of Com
merce and the Merchants Association,
George r. Carter, president of the for
mer organization, said this morning:
Neither organization has yet af-
forded a secretary who would give his
entire time to the work. and it seems
to me that the proposed greater body
should give its first attention to this
matter. A secretary who would give
all his time to the work would be of
great assistance to the committees,
and the right kind of a secretary
would stimulate the interest and work
of the members. No long or continued
campaign against strong opposition
from outside of Honolulu can be main
tanned unless Honolulu, presents
solid and united front. AS yet we
have had no such struggle, but we
should be prepared for it in case 1t
comes The question of the control
of the greater organization must lie
with the members, and it will be DEM
ocratic in proportion to the number
Of members who take an interest.
1T will be a mistake if the pro-
posed greater commercial organization
does not encourage frank and out
spoken opinions, even though contra
dictory. Our community will never de-
velop to the position it deserves by
right of its geographical location and
valuable commerce unless its individ'
ual members, having courage of their
convictions, freely state them. Too
often in our provincialism do we make
opposition into a personal difference,
and let it affect our personal rela-
tions instead of recognizing the right
of individuals to their own opinions
and agree to disagree. leaving the set
tlement in the majority.
II am in great hopes that We can
put into execution the modified plan
now being used in San Francisco,
there the greater chamber of CON-
merce has a board of retail merchants
which acts in an advisory capacity
and dispOses Of large portion Of mat
ters that affect the retailers eXclu-
sively. The board can be composed
of a representative of each retail es-
JdDlISlIu6ul anu lld NC lto O"h
in San Francisco it has been found
mutually beneficial to require the pres
ident of this board to be a trustee.
The operation of this plan has result
ed, in San Francisco at least, in Sc
curing for the retail merchants the
backing of the entire community. and
has enabled others to get better un-
derstanding of their needs, proving
mutually beneficial.
The same plan in a modified form
perhaps can be developed for other
trades or professions. For instance,
take an industry like the pineapple
export trade. A board of pineapple
growers and manufacturers could be
similarly organized if so desired. Any
one in this community who has en-
deavorCd to secure information of any
kind instantly recognizes the need of
a central office where statistics of all
kinds regarding trade matters might
be collected and kept. This feature
has. so far as | know, been developed
by neither the Honolulu Chamber of
Commerce or the Honolulu Mer.
chants Association. The usefulness
is demonstrated by constant inquiries
made at the Promotion Committee for
informa ton other than that relating
to tourist travel. Valuable data has