Evening star., 1915-04-11

bodies have been going through a proc
ess of determination. They have
asked themselves, What are we good
for?" and, not finding the answer salts
to justify their existence. The Cham
Der of Commerce of the United States
is one Of the results. But this is an
ticipating.
Mr.. Fahey might have blown up when
the blunt question was fired at him.
When a man has robbed himself Of time
and labor and thought and energy.
which might have been applied to his
own business and profit, in helping
create and maintain a great instrumen-
might be expected to grow peevish at
question which implied that his Efforts
had been futile. But Mr.. Fahey did
not.
This tall, angular. white-bearded but
youthful Bostonian has patience as
one OF the qualities which has won
him success In his own business. More
over, having been a reporter himself,
and having worked his way upward to
the ownership Of his own newspaper
he knows the ways of interviewers
Out Of his keen, hazel eyes he shot
an appraising glance. Then he drew
out his watch and laid 1t on the table,
for in exactly forty minutes he had
to keep an appointment with the Sec
retary OF Commerce. And then he be-
gan to talk:
What is the use of organization: :
what Is the use of a chamber of com
merce: what is the use of the Cham
Der OF Commerce of the United States?'
said he. adding to the original ques-
tion.
Organization in business has been
FOUND necessary from the very begin
ming OF commerce and trade. The an
cient trader. who wanted to cross the
desert to sell his wares where there
was a market. dared not risk the perils
Of the desert alone with his camel
train. but combined with other traders
and formed a caravan. which by its
size was an insurance against robbers
and wild beasts. And. further. he found
advantage in association with other
traders when he set up his tents in
the city to which he had journeyed, for
the presence of a multitude of traders
attracted more buyers than the individ-
ually could have attracted
so II has been through the ages
Commerce. In all its phases. has had
tion Of all society. commerce. which is
the very backbone Of civilization,
bringing. as 1t does. people together,
introducing the means by which life
Is enriched and beautifed, promoting
ments of society and of nations, plays
a most important part. Its effect on
a nation for veal or woe is tremendous
Should II not then be organized for the
common good. Just as politically a peo-
pie is organized into government?
Not until recent years has the real
need been felt in this country for ade-
Quate commercial organization. This,
as nations are measured. 10 new, a
pioneer country. Its business men are
a race of individualists. as always in a
pioneer country. Our trade has grown
year by year in volume and in per
capita distribution enormously. Our
business interests are huge, but widely
scattered. Each has worked along its
own lines for its own betterment, with
out regard to that which all business
holds in common.
But AZ the nation has grown in
years and trade. the demand for united
effort has increased. The new condi-
tions require united effort. Always 1t
10 80. Older nations learned that gen.
erAtions ago.
Hence there came the local chamber
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