El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-01

a s a resume Of the work done BY
n the chamber Of commerce during
the year 1918. secretary \. W. Reeves
las prepared a report showing what
has been accomplished under what
Reeves describes as difficult condi-
lions.
At the beginning Of the year. the
report says. several of the directors
took. considerable time from their
business and devoted it to the raising
OF the annual budget fund. and while
this did not total as much as II has
in previous years. It vas dIs to con-
dltions over which no one in this city
had control An effort was conse-
quently made to overcome the disad-
vantage Of 4 lesser amount By using
greater care and economy in expendi-
lures.
The board Of directors has cooper
ated with all agencies that directly or
indirectly affected the aim OF the
American people in winning the war,
and acted jointly with the government
in remedying unsanitary conditions in
some parts Of the city: furnished quar-
tiers part OF the year for the provost
Euard; gave moral and financial sup
port in encouraging athletic meets.
assisted in securing lands for Z 5.
army purposes without cost 10 the
government; and lately has offered
support to perfect the aerial mail route
contemplated by the postoffice de-
paTtment
The board has cooperated with the
federal employment bureau. has rem
dered financial support TO the War
Savings Stamp society. as well as to-
ward the expenses Of the food admin
istratOr, and made an industrial sur
vey Of the city for the war resources
committee, a department OF the war
trade board.
The board Of directors was asked TO
designate a man to represent the food
administration in this district. and
selected c. n. Bassett. one of the di-
rectors, who has given to this work
almost his entire time during the past
year. We feel" the report states,
that Mr.. Bassett is entitled to the
unqualified thanks of the public for
the time he has given TO this work. as
Wen as for the way in which Il was
handled" Another director. John II
Wyatt, has given considerable Of his
time as local head Of the fuel admin
istration-
Foster National Roads.
It has been the policy of the board
to foster and encourage all moves to
ward the securing OF national high
ways. ana ten year memberships have
been taken in several OF the important
associations. Representa-
tives were sent at the expense Of the
chamber Of commerce to Little Rock
in the early part Of the year to the
convention OF the Bankhead National
and National Good Roads as
sociations. which did effective and
valuable work The organization mas
given financial support 10 the build
ing OF dependable road between
this city and Alamogordo. y. N.
Few conventions could be brought
here. owing 10 the government policy
to discourage travel as much as posi-
BILE. but there was not a total failure
even in this field, as three were Sc
cured
Good Publicity Work.
The publicity department under the
direction OF G. A Martin has secured
as much favorable publicity as has
been possible with the funds placed
7t its disposal. This department has
furnished FL Paso post cards 10 ap-
proximately 100000 soldiers passing
through the city. and has just started
an advertising campaign in the Liter
AIRY Digest
Early IN the year, the report says,
.t was announced that the railway ad-
would close the city
ticket office ana force the travelling
public 10 use the union station en-
-irely: but the board OF directors pre-
pared a petition. Joined in by seme OF
The FL Paso railroads. to director gen
sral AfcAdoo. which was successful l.
having an office established in a most
favorable location.
Funds were allotted for an aggres-
sive campaign in securing lower
freight rates for this city, but the
taking in charge OF the railways by
he government made this impossible
It the time. Owing 20 this fact conces-
sions have not been secured affecting
he general public. but specific COM
modify rates have been reduced in
some Instances.
Closer Relations
Much has been done to promote
loser relations between the people
II this city and those south Of the Rio
5rande, in which able assistance has
been freely given by the Juarez cham
Der OF commerce. The state as well
IS the war department have com
nended and thanked the board OF d.
-ectors for what has been done in its
Efforts to eliminate misunderstood
ngs and for its proposed plans for
loser social and business relations
between the people OF the two coun-
.ries
Among the notable enterprises
brought 10 FL Paso during the year
ire the Southern Baptist sanatoriurn, /