The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-11-26
Union Chamber of Com.
merce Enjoy Banquet and
Transact Important Busi-
ness-Address by A. V.
Smell, of Charleston-Ef-
forts to Place Organiza-
ton Upon Firm Financial
Basis. esGs

Mr.. A. V. Smell, secretary of the
Charleston Chamber of Commerce, de-
hvered the principal address at 4
membership meeting of the Union
Chamber of Commerce held Tuesday
evening in the rooms of the organ-
zation. The speech followed close upon
banquet at which 80 of Unions bus
mess men were seated. The meeting
was presided over by Senator J. Gov
don Hughes, who first made a brief ad-
dress, then introduced Mr.. Smell, the
visitor from Charleston, and said he
was the commercial revivalist of South
Carolina.
Mr.. Shell spoke for more than a
half hour, and reduced his definition
of Chamber of Commerce to a short
sentence: "a Chamber of Commerce
is thought factory for commun-
ity." He showed how the best IN
every forward movement could and
did originate in the Chamber of Com
merce and that the work Of such an
organization had long ago outgrown
the mere commercial phase. 1t now
entered into the work of fostering
schools, civic improvement, church in,
provement, charities and everything
that had to do with the advancement
of the community. Such organizations
are non partizan, non sectarian, and
were banded together for the whole
community. Therefore all Of the pro-
gressive citizens of community were
eligible to membership, even the min
listers. All must work to make the
community a good place in which to
live. The thing to strive for is to
make your community good place
in which to live. The Chamber of
Commerce gives an excellent oppor-
tunity for exchange of thought. A
Chamber of Commerce is often of
more value in negative way than in
., positive Eeysa4T To. guard q commune
ity against fake schemes that rob it is
one way 1t often helps.
The idea used to be that business
must succeed by pulling down it's COM
petitors. Now, the idea is that bus
mess succeeds by pulling up your
neighbor. Both go together, up or
down.
A Chamber of Commerce is worth
while for it produces friendship and
cooperation. 1t helps every move
ment that assists in keeping your mon
ey at home. The nearer home you
spend your dollar the sooner will that
dollar find it's way back to you. If
you spend it with a mail order house
in Chicago it will probably never come
back to you.
The future lies not in the great
cities but in the small towns and back
country. The city must turn it's face
towards the country.
After the speech by Mr.. Smell there
were speeches by DR.. R. R. Berry, Maj.
Oliver Sarratt, Col. d. P. Duncan,
Sheppard Nicholson, L. J. Hames, F.
j. Parham and others. Secretary A.
G. Kennedy showed that it would re-
quire the sum of $4,000 to adequately
finance the institution. A number of
500 subscriptions were made, several
for $50 and some for smaller amounts;
but at this juncture it was decided
that volunteer committees take up
the matter and canvass thoroughly the
entire town. A meeting was then
held, composed of all those whc vel
Gn'eered to give their service to this
work or any other that the organiza-
tor might place upon them.
J. Cohen, president of the organiza-
tlnn, and one of it's most enthusiastic
members, made brief talk before the
adjournment to the small committee
of the whole.