Evening journal., 1914-02-09
THE CHAYBER or COMsERCE AND IT'S MISSION.

desrability Of which there is division Of sentiment
within without the organization or should 1t per-
NIT Itself to be drawn into political sempolitIcal and
civic controversies in which there is great diversity
OF opinion and more less bitterness OF feeling both
within and without the organization and which in
broad foreign to the fundamental objects
for which the organization formed?
That is a question that has been asked for
time by many persons who have friendly interest in
the future of the Chamber Of Commerce and who wish
II WE'LL II IL that IL being asked with greater
insstence that the Chamber is being operated
der the socaed section system and tho Civic Section
has been formed OF ali those who are eligible for
membership in the Manufacturing, Mercantile and Real
Estate and Building Trades sections.
The Chamber Of Commerce has just begun new
year in IT'S life Il has employed Neil b. Sinclair,
weli-recommended and full OF patriotic impulse TO
come here as general secretary and 70 direct the
tIytes of the organization lie certainly should not
handicapped In the important work no has 70 do.
Is It right to throw lin into controversial mael-
strom due to the injection into the affairs Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce Of yexed questions OF political,
seml-politlcal or controyersisy civic natureg
Would t not be well for the Chamber OF Commerce
TO restrict It's thought and ts energy the Industrial
commercial and publicity work which It set to
complsh with the whole-hearted approval OF all It's
members and TO leave Mr. Similar free to do the same
thing?
Would 1t not be better for the Chamber Of Commerce
to be without Civic Section altogether IL the one 1t
possesses is be used by faddsts as an nstru-
ment for the fermentation Of controv rsies; for the
promotion Of their fads and for the spreading feel
ing Of uncertainty and dscontert among the members
OF the main Organization?
The way in which the Civic Section may be misused
and discomfort strife aroused by its activities al
ready Is indicated by the effort that is being by
advocates OF new city charter TO commit the Cham
ber Of Commerce to support that movement No at
tenton seemingly is paid to the fact that many
bers Of the Chamber OF Commerce are opposed to
city charter and think that the present charter
wisely amended, win the needs Of city for
years TO
The chief aim OF the charter advocates Is to
get the Chamber OF Commerce as body back OF their
movement No doubt they think such an endorsement
will make that movement larger than It really
is No regard is paid to tho fact that many Of the
members Of the Chamber OF Commerce share in the
preponderatng opinion expressed tn such unmis-
taxable emphasis at a special election he'd In June
1872 that new charter, at least the one offered
then is not desired Nor does any consideration seem
to be given to the fact that IN the opinion many
members the Chamber Of Commerce should not permit
Itself 70 be made party to a political OF semi-po-
litical controversy OF that sort but direct It's
giles toward getting for city and tho Delmaryia
Peninsula new industries ana trade and giving
to them the benefit Of desirable publicity.
lt certainly would not be much OF an nducement
to either new industries new trade for the Cham
ber Of Commerce to be preaching IA one breath that
Wilmington Is one of the bestgoverned and most de-
srable cities on the Atlantic eaboard IN the next
breath that our system Of municipal is 80
bad that Il must be wiped out altogether and a new
system Of government substituted therefor
No Que will deny that there exists IN our city GER
tain amount OF sentiment in favor Of a new charter
Nor VIII anyone deny that certain well-meaning and
higA-minded men share n that sentiment. There is
nothing show, however that they represent the pre-
ponderstins sentiment In any event, there are many
persons who are firmly the opinion that the Cham
Der OF Commerce would make mistake on the very
eve Of a new membership csmpaign, were it to per-
NIT itself 70 be identified with either Of such DO
litica controversy.
But the new charter question Is merely a single
phase Of the situation.
n the Civic Section OF the Chamber Of Commerce is
70 be used forward the interests OF the new charter
advocates why may It also be used to forward the
Interests Of those who agitans many other ques-
tons political, semi-potcal legislative and contro-
,ersally civic?
Where is the line to be drawn?
What Justification can be found for inyoIvinr q
purely commercial organization. which Is composed Of
men Of all shades Of political legislative and civic
opinion In controversies alien to its fundamental
objects?
Would 1t not be better for the Chamber OF Commerce
to leave the new charter movement 10 the Wilmington
Civic Association and other bodies organized to SUP
port H. just as Il leaves .he matter Of the initiative
and referendum to the Referendum League and the
single Tax ad other 10 the FOSTERING caro- of
organizations formed specially to promote them.
Would II not be better TO hold the Chamber of Com
mereo in the deep and placid waters leading TO new
industries new business md individual and oonrro-
gate concord than TO permit any ono 10 steer into
the shallow and dangerous waters Of political and
civic discordg
These merely questions but We think they are
timely and we'll worth the unimpsssioned and care
fui consideration OF the officers and members Of the
Chamber of Commerce and Of those citizens who con-
template becoming members and engaging actively IN
the affairs OF the organization.
We think il exceedingly unlikely that former state
Senator Artemss Smith Will make any attempt TO pre-
vent Congressman Franklin Brocbson being nominated
for second term. IL has been the almost uniform