The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-08

Elliott moved that the use of the rooms
for Tuesday night meeting be permitted"
Notion seconded by Trapp.
This motion was defeated
"Elliott moved that as long as the meet
ing for Tuesday night has been advertised
that the use of the rooms be granted for
that night, but that in the future tine use use
of the rooms be granted only when the
matter is taken before the board, of direc-
tors Motion seconded by Penwell.
This motion passed.
In these two motions which were in
troduced at a meeting of the board of
directors of the Chamber of Commerce
Saturday noon, lies the crux of the
whole Brown Stevic situation in so far
as It affects the Chamber OF Com
merce.
THE motions were made after q long
discussion of two meetings held lately
at the Chamber of Commerce-meet-
ings ostensibly arranged for patrlotic
purposes but which when held devel-
oped into meetings replete with class
prejudice and class distinction. A man
named Brown was the prime mover in
both of the meetings which nave
aroused the ire of the Topeka Cham
Der of Commerce membership ana
certain ones of the board of directors.
Both of the meetings referred 10
were held in the Chamber Of Com
tanned permission to use the rooms on
the grounds of a patriotic meeting.
But the last of the two meetings was
the worst
Brown obtained the use of the
rooms for Bill Biby meeting" The
time for the meeting rolled around
and a certain local trades un1on-ln
process of organization-went into
session. Two or three speeches were
made by representatives of union la
Dor. Then a representative OF the
striking stage hands union was intro
duced and proceeded to urge on the
assembled union men boycott OF the
Crawford theaters as an indication of
sympathy with the union men seek
ing a fair deal"
According to sentiments openly ex-
pressed in the Chamber of Commerce
rooms, in the Chamber of Commerce
halls, and on the streets by Chamber
of Commerce members, all this might
have been all right and fine, and posi-
bly, forgiven except that for some un-
expIainable reason the word has been
sifted and filtered around so that now
it appears that the Chamber of Com
inerce is fathering the infant union
whose organization meetings have
been held in the Chamber of Com
merce rooms.
Demands for Expulsion.
Time after time in the last six
months-since Stevic and Brown
Joined the Chamber of Commerce
such matters have come up before the
board of directors. Petitions have
been presented to the board demand
ing the expulsion of both of these men
from the membership rolls OF the
Chamber of Commerce. But always
the matter has been allowed to settle
and blow away for the time.
In meetings of the board of direc-
tors one thought has always seemed to
be uppermost in the minds of the d.
rectors-or rather a few of them. 1t
is that the Chamber of Commerce
must pacify all elements in the town.
The recent move of the Chamber of
Commerce board of directors gives in
dications that this spineless policy is
now to be discarded and in its place
that the chamber will grid its loins
for battle, set its feet firmly on one
side of the fence or other and give
battle.
In proof of which attitude. George
p McEntire. president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, introduced reso-
luton at the Saturday meeting of the
resolution at the time. but the fire
shoulders and the promise is good
The resolution follows:
At its meeting this fifth day of October;
Commerce, deems it advisable to clearly
state its position and policy and make
known its reasons therefore. relative to the
course which this organization should pur-
sue on all matters where political. relig-
ious or economic questions are involved.
The people of a community very natural
" group themselves according to their
own particular views on religious. political
or economic questions and thru these
groupings or organizations very properly
seek to carry on the propaganda in behalf
of their particular opinions.
1t is self-evident, however. that com
munfty life brings up community prob
lens and needs that alone can be success
fully met by the cooperation of the people
OF the community as a whole.
1t is also self-evident that the only en-
during basis for such cooperative effort
is an association wherein our differences
concerning questions political. religious OF
economic must, absolutely and most rigid
~. be submerged.
In this city the outstanding community
center or common meeting place for all ID
the Chamber of Commerce and il is the
Judgment of its board of directors that II
would not only be unwise but absolutely
fatal to the perpetuity of the organization
itself and decidedly against the best in
1 terests OF the community as whole fol
ethe Chamber of Commerce to aid or coun.
tenance in any manner or degree whatso.
ever any movement or propaganda upon
any question or questions upon which any
considerable number of the people or oul
community are divided in their opinions
The vitnl Importance of the proposition
outlined above seems to justify the board
In urging upon all of its officers that this
rule of action shall be strictlyFand mos
impartially adhered to relative IN tbt
REanting Of the use of the club quarters
ana facilities and in the meeting of ali
other club problems, wherein religions
pontical or economic differences of view
point may be involved.
Convict Dncfar