South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-14
URGES AID To
HOME PLANTS
Dick Miller of Indianapolis
Makes Plea for Spirit
of Sacrifice.

A vision OF the Chamber Of Com
merce as an organization through
! W hich the business man can best ex-
ert his influence in unselfish en-
deavor for community betterment
was presented Monday night by Dick
Miller OF Indianapolis. in an address
before the members Of the Chamber
, of Commerce. The speaker made a
Flea for broader and nibler respon-
|, sibilities and for a spirit Of sacrifice
: in the work of placing the commu-
nifty on a higher plane.
There was an attendance of sc at
the meeting which was held for the
purpose Of bringing to the attention
Of the members the work that is be-
ing accomplished by the organization.
Committee reports were given, all Of
which showed encouraging progress
in the work Of the chamber. Fol-
lowing the reports and the address
Of Mr.. Miller there were several i'm
promptu talks after which a buffet
lunch was served. Similar meetings.
it was announced by Pres't f. Louis
Kuhns would be held each month.
Aid Home Concerns First.
AS TO the work Of the Chamber OF
Commerce Mr. Miller advised that
attention be directed to the aiding of
home concerns more than TO the Sc
curing of new concerns. One plant
in the city, he held, was worth %
plants which might be considering
n change of location. He suggested
that the chamber employ an expert
accountant for the purpose of assist
ing in the work of aiding business
men who might be facing financial
difficulties. He declared that the
South Bend chamber with its 500
members and it's many lines of activ-
iJies was an exceptionally strong or
ganization and one that was certain
to accomplish much for the city.
Reports Submitted.
All of the reports which were
made showed that the committees
we're actively engaged in extending
the work of the chamber The most
extended report was the one given
by Albert V. Weigel, business mana
ger. He called attention briefly to
the work Of the past after which he
gave in detail what it was expected
to accomplish through the industrial
survey of the city which will soon be
made.
The report in part is as follows:
Many of our citizens who are ask
ing What has the Chamber done ."
really mean to ask HAS the Cham
her located any new factOTies?" Yes,
il has4but not more than a few di-
rectly Others have located or es-
tablished through this organization
indirectly Let me cite a recent ex-
ample of the indirect work A local
man had a factory proposition which
he wanted financed The Chamber
of Commerce investigated 1t, found
IL 10 be worthy of support. but hav-
ing no money for investment could
not assist the industry directly. 1t
did. however, interest local capital
in the project, and the industry bids
fair 10 become one which adds much
TO the name of South Bend as an in
dustrial center. Now then. who
should get the credit for the indus
try-the Chamber or the men who
put up their money. The truth is.
that the men will get all the credit
and the Chamber will help them to
set il, regardless of whether the or
sanitation suffers from lack of
credit. The Chamber wants to en-
courage South Bend people to invest
in South Bend projects. There is al
together too much South Bend
money going out of town every year
to help industries in other cities.
] GroXVfb I'm (ffv Tnd,,strio1
In another case through the eff
forts of a member of the Cham Der
South Bend factory received an
order which viii keep it busy for
many months. 1 will not take up
your time with other examples. ex-
cept 10 say that we are advised by
the United States department of
census that the latest statistics on
the manufacturing activities Of
South Bend will be issued about
March 20 Preliminary information
the details Of which cannot be an
nounced until officially released by
the government. indicate a remark
able growth in South Bends indus
tries. The increase is in number Of
plants amount of output and wages
palu. certainly some agency has
been responsible for the Increase.
Possibly the indirect influence of the
Chamber of Commerce was factor
There is no doubt that il was in a
number of instances
L merely mentioned the two TO
lead up TO the latest PROJECT for in
creasing the industrial growth Of
this city, which has been sanctioned
and ordered by the board of direc-
tors. This is the making OF an in
dustrial survey of South Bend. Moth
ing Of this sort has ever been under
taken here. am wondering
whether the people Will appreciate
It's Importance and support it. An
industrial survey will not be a spec
tacular performance. which can be
attended by the playing Of bands
and burning Of red fire. 1t requires
no oratOry. 1t is one Of those fun
damentals upon which every city
must establish its work for new in
dustries.
Building the foundation OF a
house is not usually as interesting
re a.