South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-26
COMMERCE BODY
NEARING A BREAK
Complete Overthrow of C. of
c. is Hinted-QueSti0n Up
on Thursday.

That strategic movements. more
or less militant, are brewing, tending
toward the overthrow of South
Bends civic organization. known as
the Chamber of Commerce. was
CLEANED from secret agents of the
city news bureau Tuesday night
Hints that such a revolution was in
the air were heard both before and
after the meeting of the South Bend
Industrial bureau, which met with
Chairman r. l. Hardy at the Com
mercial club rooms Tuesday after
noon for the assignment OF lists in
the factory fund campaign.
No confirmation of the rumors
could be cleaned at the afternoon
meeting.
1t seems the canvass for funds to-
wards the s35,OOO factory budget.
which has already netted $4,000 for
the use of the committee, under di-
rection of local bankers, is respon-
sible for insurrecto talk on the part
of some Of those at work on the
the tempting OF factories to South
| Bend.
Claim Much Opposition.
There is considerable opposition
TO the Chamber of Commerce, &C
cording TO men who are aiding in the
canvass. They pointed out to all
upon whom calls were made that
the industrial bureau in this work
was not subject directly to the par
ent organization and that the funds
would not be used at its discretion,
but under the direction Of men high
in financial circles of the city. But
| for the foundation eXistant under the
! bureau. a pessimistic aspect would
have been maintained, declare solicit
tors for the fund.
It is said the revolution" will
break Thursday when it is under
stood the board Of directors of the
chamber are supposed TO meet at
the Commercial club. Whether or
not this meeting will be held could
not be learned definitely Tuesday
\ night
1T is the day for a meeting but
none has been scheduled" was the
evasive report from the civic bOdy's
quarters. I'VE do not give out in
| formation" was another statement.
Official Report.
The official report from the secret
agent was as follows:
Something is going to happen at
| the Chamber Of Commerce Thurs
day. 1t will mean the end Of that
organization. Influential men of the
city are dissatisfied with what the
| chamber has done in the past few
/ years. There has been no concen-
| trated action, but a hap-hazard
| picking up of any old project. boost
| err so-called, but not booster in fact.
1t has meant we'll. this Chamber of
/ Commerce, and has worked with a
will, but several costly mistakes have
/ sickened a great many against any
I thing associated with the very
! term Chamber of Commerce. A re-
! organization of civic body, but
minus the apparently obnoxious fea-
lures Of the present chamber. will
be made in the near future. 1t has
to be an abdication or a general
decay and collapse. and il might
better be an abdication by the pres
ent name and many physical and
rudimentary features pertaining
thereto"
Sec Handwriting on Wall.
Some have seen the writing on the
wall. il seems. and several commit
tees which are working along lines
| favorable to the merchants and
manufacturers of the city have or
dered stationery and other materials
which greatly diminish 10 very small
type all connection with an organi-
cation known as The Chamber OF
Commerce"
OF course, publicity 10 the revolu-
tionary plans may forestall them for
time. and this was pointed out by
the secret agent Of the city news
But eventually. why not now =" was
the closing statement of the inform
ant.
Work Of the industrial bureau IN
canvassing for the remainder of the
$500 factory fund will be started
in earnest Monday, announced
Chairman F. 1. Hardy, Tuesday
afternoon.