Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-08-26

Scarcely a week passes without the
question, why doesn't the Chamber
Of Commerce take action on this or
that matter. and bring about some
activity la solution of different ques-
tioasT differing as TO what the indi-
yidual asking the question is particu-
larry interested In. Like many others,
these querists fail to grasp the fact
that they overlooked the real query
WHO IL the Chamber OF Commercef''
This Is n well-worn question and ma
he answered In the following manner
You are the Chamber OF Commerce.
Every member OF the Chamber of
Commerce Is the Chamber OF Com.
merce. II you doubt the efficacy of
your organization. IL Ii because the In
dividual members have not demonstrat.
ed that they as members of the Cham
btr OF Commerce are accomplishing the
purposes OF the organization.
Members sometimes ask officials OF
the chamber, what the organization is
doing, or why IL Is not doing certain
things. Every member should re.
member that he IL the Chamber Of Com
merce, and IL the organization il not
doing what he thinks should be done,
Ii IL because he Is failing In exactly
the same respect he accuses the organi.
zation Of falling. Chamber OF Com
merce' Il only the name for the united
efforts Of Its many members; the or
gLnization Is In the hands OF its mem.
bers; and Its reputation for doing Is
made by the individuals who comprise
its membership Don't. ask what the
Chamber OF Commerce is doing: ash
what YOU are doing. you ARE THR
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Did
you ever stop TO think OF thisy'
II can't afford IT," This IL the re.
rark that frequently answers an invi.
tation 10 become a member Of the
Chamber OF Commerce. There have
heen men who thought they could not
afford electric lights In their stores
They used kerosene lamps until the
sheriff arrived and snuffed out their
lamps OF business.
There have been men who bought
they could not afford to advertise.
Their creditors soon ended the life OF
a dying business.
There are some men In Deming do
ing good business, who think they
cannot afford TO become members OF
The Chamber OF Commerce. II all 10.
cal business men were like them there
would be no Chamber of Commerce.
Deming would be In a bad way In
short order II its business men did not
have spirit. energy and vision enough
10 devote little OF their time and
money to organized effort In communi.
ty development. Progressive and sue.
cessful business men consider a mem.
Dei ship In their Chamber Of Commerce
as essential to their business as light,
heat and telephone and advertising.
There Is much of the Chamber OF
Commerce activity which never
reaches the public because what gets
into print is merely the high lights, sO
to speak, but by no means represents all
that the organization does. The days
work" consists Of various duties, such
as answering applications for informa.
ton at home and abroad, supplying
information relative 10 the resources OF
the city and valley TO possible pros.
poets; applications for business loca.
tons OF various kinds. many times
declined" after investigation, because
not promisingly attractive, lacking In
merit, perhaps seeking a chance to un.
load-and 50 on through a long list
rone Of this appears In print, yet the
work is going on all the time and all
Is active effort In behalf OF the com
iaunity and Its people.
When. after efforts which have con
tlnued, sometimes, through months. are
crowned with success, then comes pub
licity and the public Is advised. But
the other work which may bear fruit In
the future. and often does, is a great
part Of the normal work OF the Cham
her OF Commerce which the "higf
lights fail to disclose. -Communicat ted