Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-01
COMMERCE CHAMBER Z
REPORTS RECORD YEAR
Foremost Organization of Its
Kind Reviews Achievements
in Many Fields
FINE WORK FOR NATION
Rendered Invaluable Service in Solv-
ing War Industry, Transporta-
tion and Other Problems

war and its effect. direct and indirect,
Upon Industrial and commercial aCtiv-
tiles Of Philadelphia and vicinity bulk
large IN the annual report of the Phila-
dephia Chamber of commerce, just is-
sued The report is seventy-eight-
page document and is review of the
varied and extensive operations carried
on by this great civc-commercial or
ganzetion,
The total membership to date Is $3.50
members, of which sol we're added
during 1917 1t Is the declaration of
The chamber that 1918 secs it the fore
most organization of It's kind in any
city Of the United States
I The report contains memorial min
ute 70 j. \. Mckee, a former member
Of the board Of directors Of the cham
{ ber
Above all else is emphasized the inn
portance Of the work done by the cham
her In assisting the Federal Government
4 IN Its mobilization of the industries of
# The nation for use in wartime. Second
Il 10 this is placed the progressive and
4 beneficial effect Of the activity of this
organization on the social and CONNER
cial life Of the city proper. with indirect
beneficial results TO outlying and ad-
jacent territories.
Summary Of Work
Work of the eight bureaus maintained
during the year is summarized by A. B.
Kelly. the general secretary, this being
. preceded by an Introduction by Ernest
~. Trigg, president.
& Credit is given the transportation
Dureau for the manner in which IL has
Ekfpt N touch with every phase OF the
n #tfanspoTtation problem and for the en-
cQuragement given the use of auxiliary
N A. n I'm
ent congestion of rail and water lines
~ This connection the establishment of
motQrruck freight service to points
outside of Philadelphia is pointed to as
~ example of what has been actually
aceQmpllshed. A study is now being
mage Of the needs for such service i'm
olner directions outside the city.
During the last year claims of mem
pefs running into thousands of dollars
nave been collected, many of which had
been previously denied by the carriers.
Mention Is also made of the part taken
py the chamber in joining with the COM
mefclal emergency committee on trans
portaton of the allied trade bodies, the
enarman Of which is president of the
ehhmper and the vice chairman the gem
stei secretary.
During 1917 the charities bureau in
dorsed forty-twO charitable institutions.
bringing the total to date to 1913. Spe-
slal attention is being given by the bu-
teau 10 the child-saving institutions of
The city.
through the efforts of the Philadel-
phla Decade Anniversary Plan. 143 con-
fenuons were held in this city, with an
attendance Of 145.097, an increase over
me previous year of more than 100 per
cent and an expenditure here by the
Nsltors OF more than S4,500,000.
Aid For Government
i Is under the head of work Of the
7 mcustrial bureau that special mention
made OF the part taken by the cham
per IN aiding the Government in its
wartime Industrial work Much assist
enee was rendered by this bureau in
presenting the Government with a great
mass oi data relative TO Industrial and
eommerclal circles OF the city and ad-
Ncent territory, This bureau ,also as
listed in finding buildings wanted for
refernment storage purposes and in
eiecting Manufacturing plants capable
producing desired materials.
fhis bureau also aided in moving
neeoed coal shipments in the coal crisis
pna prevented the shutting down of es-
eSntai industries, also assisting foreign
peyefs 10 get into touch with Phladel-
phla manufacturers
nuflng the year the publicity bureau
No,eined 44S.3 columns of newspaper
pHohcity besides issuing the official pub
pestons Of the organization.
- the insurance committee Is given
eol Ior the abolishing by the Board
~ rife Underwriters of so per cent
me blue slip charges" with a prom-
% abolish the remaining so per
rslt when better water supply is fur
n'.nea the central section of the city.
Inc financial report shows a balance
~ pand January 1. 1918, of $55,S63.72.