South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-29
REORGANIZATION
MARKS YEAR IN
COMMERCE BODY
Review of Activities of Past IL
Months Shows New Plan of
Operation as Most I'M
portant Phase.

Activity i'm the Chamber Of Com
merce during the past year was mark-
ed Dy the reorganization and rejuvena-
ton IN November Up until that time
IL was freely admitted on all sides
that something was radically wrong
with the inner workings and a reviVer
was necessary. Accordingly two men,
experts in their line. i. g. upbuilding
of municipal commercial organiza-
tons, Lucius j.. Wilson and ii. A.
Braddock If the American City Blu
reau We're brought To South Bend TO
take up the work OF putting the Cham
Der OF Commerce on a new footing.
These men spent two weeks in ad-
vance preparing the ground and then
opened "A seven-day campaign for
members. First, let il be said the
entire board OF directors and all Off
Gals resigned and the organization
practically begun anew. Teams were
organized which secured the city in
automobiles and afOOt and We'd with
one another in turning in the largest
list of new members. Each day Of
the campaign a luncheon was held at
the Oliver hotel where results were
announced, followed by an address
- reading men of the city and Mr..
Wilson. geneTal-in-chief. At the end
% the campaign SCI members were
reported affiliated with the Organiza-
ton. This included Approximately
200 young men who had earlier in the
season effected an auxiliary organiza-
ton. Shortly after election Of officers
was held with the result that Harry A.
Engman, jr., was elected president.
II. G.. Spaulding was retained as sec
rotary.
Star ON New Basis.
The chamber started now on new
basis and adopted a motto in which
the dominant note was that creed or
politics would not enter into any OF
the activities. The work of organiza-
ton is not yet complete Various
committees are yet to be named each
10 have "A certain part of the cham
ber's work 10 undertake. This viii
include almost every activity in which
a commercial organization can enter.
one OF the most important innOVa-
tons that is expected 10 form q
stronger bond between the members
Will be the weekly noon luncheOns.
These will be held every Tuesday. A
speaker Will be obtained - each
meeting in addition to other enter
tainment. 1T is freely predicted that
the coming year viii see much done
coward the progress Of the city by the
chamber.
OF the work done in the past year,
some since the reorganization and
some before. cannot be overlooked.
Doubtless the most important move
which was instituted and born at the
chamber was the Federation for So
cial Service This was the amalgama-
ZION of all charity organizations in the
city A campaign was started during
Thanksgiving week which at its close
recently netted approximately $4,000.
Before the reorganization the Dis
ease Prevention day was backed by
the chamber and was held TO be easily
equal to any other similar ones held
throughout the state. \ parade OF
over a mile in length was the feature
Of the day followed by prizes TO the
best floats.
Then came the good roads day at
LcgansDOrt Through the efforts of
the chamber a score of automobiles
were filled with good road enthusiasts
Of the city and sent TO LOgansport to
meet a similar delegation from points
south OF LoganspOrt.
Magazine Inaugurated.
Early in the fall Sec'y Spaulding in
augurated "a new idea, that of a Cham
Der OF CommeS>e magazine. 1t grew
rapidly in favor and today it boasts
OF a circulation near 1900. II is call
ed South Bend Today IT contains
each month "a comprehensive review
oe the business activity Of the city.
PraisewOrthy comment has been re-
ceived from many sources
Early in November foreign trade
meeting was arranged and w. ). Kies
OF New York was obtained as speaker.
The meeting drew a thrOng of inter-
ested business men.
A department of much value TO mer
chants is the credit rating and infor-
nation bureau. This bureau which Is
steadily growing. avails the merchant
OF the rating of nearly every citizen OF
south Bend. 1t is especially of value
to the retailer.
An organization now in the making
and one expected 10 he a big adVertis-
ing asset 10 the city Is the Glee club.
JIG Is now being organized under the
direction OF Russell Geyer. who has
had considerable work in this line
In conclusion the new quarters must
not be overlooked. a spacious home
has been leased at Lafayette and JET
ferson SITS. and has been fully equip
ped. TX IL open 10 visitors at all times
of the doy. Later a dining room for
business men is expected TO be opened.