Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-15

of Trade at that time were only about
$4,000. What did not move TOO repre-
sentative Washingtontans. nve-sevenths
non-commercial. would not move 1000
or 5000 Washingtonians (the great ma
jority non-commerciaD in one orEani-
cation today.
1t would be better perhaps. certainly less
expensive and more economical for many
of US. to have only one WASHINGTON
club. or one Washington newspaper. But
our club presidents will not resign and put
their organization into hotchpot to con-
stitute this single ideal organization. Nor
will the editors, or newspaper owners.
1t is not human nature. And It is not
geneous things can merge Put unhar-
monious things in one body and the
result is not unity. but chaos.
Reasons for Separate Existence.
Let us analyxe the reasons for tho
separate existence of tho existing or
Ranizations. First, there are sectional
tional questions. and their federation
to deal with city-wide projects
Then there are primarily and dis
tinctively commercial organizations
and Jobbers and Shippers Association.
and the now existing Chamber of Com
merce and Retail Merchants Associa-
tion.
Lastly. the non-commercial organi-
cation not dominated by commercial
minority in its membership. dealing
with all-washington issues from the
point Of view of all Washington Such
Is the Board Of Trade.
the federation should be left alone to
develop for the city's benef1t along the
definite lines laid down. Their exist
ence Is wholesome. helpful and neces-
sary in the city's development.
The Board OF Trade should be left
alone to develop for the city's beneft
a powerful non-commercial organisa-
ton. The organization may be
strengthened and rendered more active
and effective; but It should not be killed
in a merger. 1t may need a tonic. but
not the ak.
The Retail Merchants Association is
logically created 1t is solely a COM
mercial organization dominated by the
merchants. and working along we'll de-
fined lines with enthusiasm and public
usefulness. 1t performs function in
the city's development which the Board
OF Trade confessed 1t could not handle
when the Business Mems Associat ton
and the Jobbers and Shippers Associa-
which the Chamber of Commerce made
the same confession when, in spite of
the fact that 1t was Itself organized
for this specific purpose, It permitted
come into being
If the new Chamber Of Commerce
becomes more distinctly commercial in
Its organization and purposes and dem
onstrates after practical experience a
form of organization which assures
superior efficiency. the Retail Mer-
chants Association might well combine
again with the Chamber Of Commerce
An Immediate Merger Task.
The first merger task is to merge
into a homogeneous and efficient COM
mercial organization the 500 OF 900 old
and the TOO or more new members OF
the Chamber of Commerce. The new
members exceed the old in number
and their views are underlined. or at
least unexpressed in regard to the
purposes Of the organization, its frame
torial. and the methods by which its
ends are to be. accomplished. When the
new and old members Of the chamber
are consolidated into a homogeneous
commercial body. and a new constitu-
tion and bylaws have been adopted
and put into practical operation, and
when the new system of organization
has demonstrated by its results its
superiority in efficiency. Washington
will have a fine and highly useful COM
merchants and manufacturers of Wash
ington and including perhaps all the
members Of the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation. and absorbing, it may be. that
organization.
Commercial members of the Board OF
Trade would naturally belong also te
the new Chamber Of Commerce, but the
life and organization of the Board oil
Trade should not be destroyed or ever
impaired.
If there is not enough power in BOARD
directors for quick efficiency Of actor
increase that power. If there is toe
ocratic organization and too little ir
| individual members. increase the pow.
er Of the latter. Improve and strength.
| en- but do not kill.