The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-09


OF the city was but a reflection of the
minds and life of her people. 1t was a
mirror showing the character of the
material which builded the city. In
closing he suggested that the slogan
for Sumter I'm future should be SUM
ter. the City Beautiful and that all
work for city more beautiful in its
citizenship. in its streets and houses.
In Its public spirit. In the lives and
homes Of its people.
Mr.. Noise next called on Alebrt s.
Johnstone Of Greenville. president of
the Commercial Secretaries Associa-
tion. Mr.. Johnstone told of the
Functions Of the Chamber of Com
merce." Mr.. Johnstone made an in
teresting talk on this subject, clearly
outlining and defining what to his
mind constituted the functions and
duties Of the Chamber of Commerce.
Its primary duties. he said were two.
to advertise city and to bring in and
encourage new Industries in a city.
The Chamber Of Commerce. he
stated. was not q body which merely
talked and passed resolutions. II
there was anything that he objected
to 1t was hearing such an organiza-
tion called "hot air" proposition. 1t
must do something. after 1t had pass
ed the resolutions. following them up
with work along the projected lines.
1t was the organized business inter-
ests Of city In business for the pur-
pose OF city building. The greatest
test was not only In making a citizen
ship. but in developing its citizens.
The Chamber Of Commerce should
develop constructive citizenship.
Mr.. Johnstone stressed the point the
members Of the Chamber of Com
merce should come from all classes
Of the citizenship of the town, and
should not be only of the prominent
or well-to-do citizens. This was an
error. he said, which many cities
did not correct. He believed in CIV
ing the small man an even chance
with the wealthy man Of investing in
new industries which were brought to
town. In this way the Chamber Of
Commerce cultivated public spirit.
A city he said was no larger than
its ambition. So with the Chamber
Of Commerce. IL must have some de-
finite aim always In view, The ideas
Of the people of the community should
be brought together In the organiza-
tiOn and concentrated on some CEN
tral idea for the body to work for
Mr.. Johnstone called attention to the
fact that very often the commercial
organizations did not cultivate and
developc the industries which the city
already had. 1t was much more ad-
visablc, he said. to develop those
things which the city already had.
even than bringing in more industries
for II the home industries were not
supported and backed, what was the
use in securing more. The people
seemed for a time to have gone crazy
on tho subject Of new industries.
Mr.. Charles M. Kimmick, in charge
Of the traffic department Of the Char
lesion Chamber Of Commerce, was
next called on to discuss freight rates
He told of the efforts In this State to
get lower and equitable freight rates.
The South. Carolina Freight Rate AS
sociation had been formed with this
object In view and Charleston with
the assistance of other cities in the
state was doing all in her power to
get for South Carolina rates which
were fair and equitable and by which
she would be on the same footing as
other states. He told Of how the
freight rates originated and how they
varied and the reasons why this was
true. The rates were generally known
generally who wan.ed lower freight
were those who had a grievance
against the railroads. Formerly the
freight rates were as high as the traf-
hc would stand for. being reduced
only when competition came in or
laws were 'nacted compelling the rail
roads to ca; rates. There were lower
rates to North Carolina and Georgia
than In South Carolina. Recently the
Interstate Commerce Commission had