The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-11
BROAD PLAN TO
BOOSTMEMPH|S
MARKETS MADE
Wholesale Merchants DivI-
sion Of Chamber of CON-
merCe Widened to Take in
Manufacturers.

A plan promising more and broader
activities In the interest OF commercial
and industrial Memphis than has ever
before been undertaken by the commit
tee was mapped out at a meeting of the
board of directors of the wholesale mer-
chants division of the Chamber Of Com
merce Friday afternoon. Intensive trade
extension efforts to embrace innumer-
able lines of activity will be conducted
and the division hopes to be able to
place Memphis before the world in such
fashion as to leave no doubt in the
minds of those who trade here as to the
really great extent of the market here,
In accord with its broader outlook
the name of the division was changed to
the merchants and manufacturers di-
vision of the c. of G.. p, M. Birming-
ham was elected secretary,
1t Is the intention of the division, ac-
cording to the plans given out by w. B,
Cleveland, chairman of the executive
committee, to issue frequent bulletins
containing a complete directory Of the
commodities and service obtainable in
this market, together with the anne Of
member firms who can supply them.
No line of e~ndeavor, no matter how
remote. will be overlooked, and In order
to make the listing complete a member
ship campaign will be started at once.
Two hundred members within SO days
is the goal set for the membership com
mittee, and no difficulty Is anticipated
in reaching it, The division o boasts
a membership of ia Memphis firms, II
having Joined within the past two weeks,
but ever with SO comprehensive a mum
Der 1T Is realized that not one-half OF
the types of business OF the city are
represented in the directory.
LAS long as ! am chairman of this
important branch of the Chamber of
lNAKa 4 49,. wAt Ata N lRHA EfHh
of the important fact that this Is the
only division of Memphis big, public
service body, the Chamber of Com
merce, devoted to trade eXtension--the
selling end Of the %buciness,' said Mr..
Cleveland.
Il conceive it as the functions of this
division, to let 1t be known to those who
would or should trade In Memphis, the
many very good reasons why they
should look to this ample market for
their supplies, and this we will do even
better than In the past.
Our plans contemplate n comprehen-
siye advertising campaign in news
papers. and c~ircularizing, We will not
be satisfied merely 10 make claims, but
win be prepared to prove them. A mar
viii be employed whose duties 1t will be
to seek information as to the needs OF
this market. 1t will be his business &c
learn of any weaknesses which may
exist as to our ability to supply fully
the requirements of this section.
ut may thus be found that In Mem
phis there Is existent q large enough
demand for commodities we cannot nov
supply and through use Of proper meas,
| ures such a condition could be remediet
and thus our market be amplified.
Perhaps some lines are not nov
drawing as much patronage as the,
should get or in some sections this MAJ
ket may not be getting its full quots
Of business. Investigation calculated L
show the reasons for such conditions
should result in remedying them.
Frequently one line Of business feel
1t has a just complaint to register re
garding the practices Of another line
such complaints could safely be regis
tered with this division and the com
plainant feel perfectly safe that his con
fidences would not be betrayed.
CLOSE cooperation with the Memphi
travellers, that splendid body of bust
ness producers who do 20 much for tn
extension Of Memphis industry, Is ex
pected to result in tabulation of dat
of i~ncalculable value out Of which shout
develop IDEAS for highway profitabl
means and methods Of trade building.
1T Is expected that put of the in
formation thus gained viii come dat
which, when turned over to the indus
trial division, will be very helpful !
locating in our city new much needle
manufacturers and distributors