Evening journal., 1915-01-15

The annual meeting and election Of
he Chamber of Commerce was held
last night in the new quarters of the
City Club and was attended by more
than 400 members. At the opening of
the meeting President John j. Sat
terthwait expressed the appreciation
Of the members for the large number
present, declaring to all appearances
he rejuvenated Chamber of Com
bncrce was starting with a large men,
bership.
The annual reports were read, the
FIRST being that of President Satterth-
wait All we're accepted and referred
10 the board of directors.
At the entrance to the hall were To-
Gated the ballot boxes and each mem
Der voted as he entered. A recess
was taken for the vote to be canvass
cd. and during the Intervening time
buffet luncheon was served. Prior tC
the luncheon a rising vote of thanks
was extended President Satterthwai
for the "indefatigable services rem
dered during the year. In reply t'
this MIR. Satterthwait voiced his ap
probation and also thanked the Clt,
Club for the use of their quarters fol
the occasion
The results of the election fol
directors were announced. giving th'
following the highest number o.
votes. Joseph Bancroft. Frank ].
Connable, George II. Spackman, Har
rison W. Howell and Willard a
Speakman.
On the electoral committee were
c. Stewart Lee. who acted as judge
and J. c. Lawson and Walter d. Bush
Jr.. who acted as tollers, and Clar
ence c. Killen. assistant secretary.
Mr.. SatterthWait Reviews Work.
President Satterthwait's report fol
lows:
There being quite a large volum'
Of business on hand this evening, ant
as the report of the General Secre
tary will cover the work done b,
the Chamber and It's various com
mittces. my remarks will be more
OF an expression of my persona
vicws relating 10 what might be &C
compiished by the Chamber of Com
mercc in the future, If supported b,
the best interests OF our city, thar
a formal presidential report
/ agree with Governor Whitman
Of New York. when he says that 1
tie same degree of wasteful and eX
trAvagant increase in the expenditure
OF public funds coaAnues from yea
70 year in the future. at the sam'
ratio as in the past 10 or 20 years
then il will be but a comparativel.
short time before our government
city state. and national Will b'
bankrupt
There is no more crying need o
reform in this city and county. tha'
there is in the method of collecting
on failing to collect. the taxes. VIII,
Should not every man, who receive
the protection of q government ant
the benefits derived from the eXpen
diiuro OF the public funds, pay hi
proportionate share Of the govern
nent expenses. no matter how smal
that share might be? Yet we Al
know there are n great man. tax
dodgers that do not pay but VIII
could be compelled 20 pay not onl
their Just taxes but the cost of co
lecinp the same. II they wore M
paid according 10 law. Why shoul
not the tax collector be paid a sa
airy, the same, as the collector fo
any large corporation or bushes
oiganization is. and then be held r'
sponsible under bond. for the sati.
factory performance of his duties
Why should It be possible for a co
lector to pass to the delinquent lil
a large SUM of taxes collected on ih
last day Of the month just prior
becoming delinquent, and enterin
that sum on the records a few day
later on so that he might secure n
commission allowed by the law q
delinquent taxes collected. instead
the full amount as collected goir
into the public treasury. where
rightfully and honestly belongs?
Get a man big enough and Wi
honest ability enough to collect q
collectible taxes. pay him a satisfa
tory salary for doing the same. al
there will be no trouble to fix
satisfactory and Just tax rate.
Let us pass law requiring Z
public officials, who are compell
to give bond, give satisfacto
bonding company as bondsmen. rat
er than private individuals. the pr
MUM 10 be paid from the pub
funds. when we would have mu
less trouble collecting losses caus
by careless or defaulting officials.
There seems TO be a great deal
criticism regarding the methods
doing business by our Levy Cou
Why should not their office eficien
and management be carried on In
same uptodate manner as any 81
cessful business concern? Shol
not all departments of the govei
ment have their accounts audited ;
nually by sworn public accountau
the same as banks and other lai
business organizations who hanl
money belonging TO others?
Should we not insist that our n
County and City Building a
grounds be in the charge Of a ma
ger or superintendent capable