The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1916-04-11
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
REsruE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
MAY STIMULATE CAMPAIGN
FOR NEW MEMBERS.
Despite the Fact That the Chamber
Has Been Handicapped by Lack
of Funds. Great Deal Has
Been Accomplished.

lhachie, / nave prepaTeu shoi' e'"
IopsIs of the work of the Chamber for
the past twelve months.
While conditions have not been
normal. the work has been kept go
ling by the support of few Of the
loyal citizens of Waxahachie by their
generous gifts of time and money.
They have been handicapped by a
lack of funds, and 1t has been nee
essary to send out soliciting COM
mittee on every proposition carry
ing an appropriation of money.
In this connection it might be
proper to make an explanation as to
the reason for the shortage OF funds.
About two and a half years ago a
vigorous membership campaign was
waged, and sufficient funds were
raised for the work. These pledges
were made for twelve months and
expired in October, 1914. This was
a time when conditions were very
ABNORMAL on account of the war and
six cent cotton and the directors
thought IL unwise to reorganiZe UNI
der such conditions. Many OF the
members took advantage of the fact
that their membership contracts had
expired and stopped paying. Inc
directors decided that the organiza-
ton could be maintained until
more suspicious time by the contri-
button of those who would continue
to pay, even though their contracts
he'd expired. This policy has been
pursued, and no concerted action
has been made to strengthen the
| resources. There has also been
gradual decrease on account OF
deaths. removals. failures, business
changes. Withdrawals, etc, until the,
income has barely maintained the
Office expenses.
In spite of these drawbacks, the
work OF the Chamber of Commerce
| has gone steadily forward, ana
| Waxahaehie is recognized as one OF
/ the foremost towns in the state along
| this line. Many complimentary ex-
/ proesions of our work have been re-
ceived. and are appreciated by those
who are doing such good work for
the city.
In formation derived from secre-
/ taries of similar organizations in
towns in the same class leads me to
lbelieve that Waxahachie has been
maintaining her Chamber of Com
merce on smaller revenue than any
other town OF equal Importance.
sherman has only recently raised
$4,000 per month for its Chamber
of Commerce. Half this amount
would support the Waxahachie or
sanitation without having to resort
TO the soliciting committee work
that is very distasteful to both the
committee and the citizens.
General Activities.
About twelve months ago, it was
decided to wipe out deficit OF 81
400 that had accumulated during the
wears that Waxahachie had main
tanned a commercial organization.
About a dozen of our leading bust
ness men went TO work and In a
short time secured sufficient pledges
Ito wipe out this great obstacle from
tbn natb nf prOprpCS
The Chamber has held weekly lun-
cheons at the Rogers Hotel, at which
our loyal business men, at their own
expense. have met together to handle
the problems that have confronted
them concerning the welfare OF
their city. These luncheons have
been the very life of the organiza-
ticn, for every worthy cause has re-
ceived prompt consideration and
solution.
The matter of sprinkling the
streets had been neglected, much TO
the discomfort of the citizens and
material loss TO the merchants.
| G3Dlmltttt lfOlu tuc ANoitbSi ~
Ccmeree secured the necessary CO.
operation and made contract that
ID still in force.
4 One thousand loaves of bread
were sent promptly to the storm
sufferers ut Houston.
Believing that every community OF
the Importance of Waxahachie should
have a pulmotor, committee, aided
By the Daily Light. secured suffi-
eient funds 10 secure such an IN
strument. Ii has been delivered, and
has been the means of preserving one
life already. 1t will be maintained
for the free use of the public, and
will much lessen the loss OF lie
from <sqisosslion.5 eleetrdeution, <sas-