Evening journal., 1916-03-07


tured by an address by William B.
Megear, the newly-elected president,
and also by speeches presenting the
needs of the public schools by Clifford
]. Scott superintendent of schools,
and by DR.. Victor ID. Washburn, mem
Der of the Board of Education from
the Fifth ward.
A motion, made by DR.. Albert
Robin, and amended by Charles F.
Kurtz, was unanimously adopted,
providing that a public mass meeting
be called soon to consider the needs
of the Wilmington public schools,
80 far as | am concerned, 1919 is
a closed book. said President Megear.
1T is to 1916 that | shall address my
, efforts" He outlined a program for
producing practical results, rather
than promising big things to be done
by the Chamber OF Commerce
Mr. Megear i'm what was really
speech of acceptance Of the presiden-
cy, said
President Megear's Words.
mo properly constituted man could
be insensible to the honor which at
tends his selection. as the executive
head of the Chamber of Commerce of
a city of 100000 inhabitants.
Holding as ! do to that view, ] de-
sire, at the outset. to express my heart
felt appreciation of this honor, which
you have bestowed upon me.
Time alone can reveal TO you
whether that honor has been wOrthily
worn. The only promise l purpose
making at this time. is that l shall
endeavor to show by performance,
that ! appreciate the importance OF
the trust you have repOsed i'm me
and that, with the financial and other
limitations surrounding me. l am do
ing my best TO promote the interests
of the city of Wilmington, the State
of Delaware. and the Delmarvia
Peninsula, and to justify the existenc'
! of the Chamber of Commerce. as &
civic organization.
p. Il desire at this time, however
to remind the officers, the directors
the executive staff and the members
that unless l nave their hearty, un
e selfish and intelligent support in do
q ing things. that in my opinion, ough
e to be done, my term as preslden
/ cannot be featured-by success. Heart,
cooperation from all quarters, ant
. at the right time is the thing tha
e will count most effectively during tn
e year Just opening. ! want that co
= operations. l ask for it now, fron
= every member of this organization
e and I ask that it be continues
throughout the entire year.
IS With il I can face the future wit
d confidence Without it, the thing
s / desire TO accomplish cannot b
V realized If at any time membe
feels that he has cause for complain
30 to the management, or your presi
dent with your views. and not to tn
outside world. knocking the Chambe
of Commerce. In asking this. I al
=, only asking that you treat this bus
ness organization as you have you
" own business treated.
-, Demands United support.
n ct feel that I have a right to d.
- mand from each and all of you, thi
support which is inferentially prom
ised by my selection for the oific
which / have just assumed.
% 81 also desire to say at this jun
. ture. that this Office came to me witt
Oh out pledge or committal of any so
IL being attached to it. So far as l a
affected. I begin with clean SLATE
al NV face is turned to the future, n
~ back TO the past SO far as a
" concerned. 1915 is a closed book, e,
cept as a matter of reference for N
OF guidance IL is to 1916 that I sha
ld address my efforts. I hope all of OF
II, members will do likewise. We cann
grind grist with water that has a
Of ready passed down the stream; NJ
J. can we hope to do much in the pre-
ent and future if we devote our tin
of in the discussion of past events.
On "As to our membership, it is II
or hone that 1916 will see every wortl
business man in Wilmington meI
or her of this chamber. If there a
o. some in Wilmington, and | have re
sons to believe there may be- who Il
OK any reason, which they may ma
an thought good, did not affiliate with q
a chamber in 1915, we want them to
with us heart amid soul, in the wo
OF of 1916: we need all such and TN
nd will need us. Let no former di
D agreements stand in the way of futu
union. AS to the policy that, IN Il
or opinion should be pursued by {
chamber this year. it is very siml
one.
"First-To devote ourselves TO inc
lp- things which legitimately come VIII
al the scope of Chamber OF CONNER
dlt work. including all of those thh
lrd that make for better living wlthln @
na' midst. whether it arise from govel
lite mental action or private activity
er, "Second-To have as our CHIEF an
ed the securing of new industries for q
~; city: new business for our manufi
rd, turers and merchants. and the sec'
ing of representative conventions
= guests of the Chamber of CONNER
] and the city are matters of our &C
cern.
"Third-To do a few fundamen
things, and to do them well, ratf
than to attempt to do a multitude
things, that are not fundamental,
the neglect of the things that
fundamental.
"Fourth-TO produce practical
suits that stand up so promnen
that the public cannot fail to S
them, and TO express its appreciate
of our work.
"Fifth-To have our meetings
democratic that the humblest memt
of our body may feel free to say
say. and to know at all times that
will be listened to with respectful
q tention by his fellow-members.
sixth. To place our finances upol
comprehensive and unselfsh bud
basis, 50 that maximum of result n
low from minimum of eXpenditl
I'm other words, that the money shall