The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-11-27

factors in the development OF the
cities where they are located Where
as a few years ago these associations
of business men were found only IN
the larger cities, Chambers OF Com
merce are now maintained IN near
ly every progressive city and town
in America, as well as in the other
leading nations Of the world.
The first Chamber Of Commerce
organizations were largely Of the
booster type, and the secretary was
chosen mainly for his "hot-air" abii-
tiles, rather than for any other
qualities. Today the personnel OF
these organizations are based upon
more lasting qualifications, for the
business men have come 70 the real
ization that the Chamber OF Com
merce should be sustained because
of its constructive work in the com
munity. rather than for dispensing
hot air.
The successful secretary Of the
present, Is the man who studies his
community from every standpoint OF
progress, and is ever on the alert to
render all possible service in the de-
velopment Of his city and surround
ing country along the lines Of great
est value. II is the wise board Of d.
rectors who can recognize these con-
ditions. and direct the energies Of
their organization along proper chan
neis, appropriatlng the money col
lected to the best advantage
The Chamber Of Commerce under
takes 10 promote civic development
II should be, and is representative OF
the best type of citizenship. A man
can no more divest himself Of the re-
sponsibilities Of citizenship than he
can lay aside his religion, or his du-
ties toward his children. He is
bound by the ties Of the common
good TO every agency which works
for the development Of his commun-
ity. and the Chamber OF Commerce
is the vehicle for practically avery
movement for civic and community
development.
The private interests Of the lndi-
vidual are important only IN direct
proportion 20 the importance 81 the
community interests In more def
mite terms. that the individual inter
ests may obtain the greatest degree
Of activity and returns. the people
Of the community must be ever Will
ing and ready to help keep develop
ment NJ the highest degree of efic-
iency obtainahe, a live business
never thrived in A dead town. con
versely. q dead town cannot ST in
the same company with live business
and business men.
Since its organization in 1918,
the Lubbock Chamber ~ Commerce
has been fortunate N having alert.
progressive business men in charge
Of its work. Men who have been not
only wise IN their direction. but pa
triotic and sacrificing in their devo-
ton 20 the interests Of Lubbock. The
Board meets on the average, many
times in each month. and spends
many hours Of valuable time in
working for the development Of our
country. II is probable that the cit
izens Of our city do not fully realize
the amount Of time which the mem
bers Of the Board Of Directors de-
vote 20 this work, nor the extent Of
their sacrifice.
The present secretary. Mr.. Geo. w.
Briggs, has been connected with the
organization for the greater part Of
the time since Il WIS first organized.
and while at the present he IL sup
posed TO devote only a portion Of his
time of the Chamber Of Commerce.
since ne has other business inter
ests. as a matter Of fact he devotes
the greater portion Of his energies 10
his secretariai work The assistant
secretary. r d. Brown. has been
connected with the Chamber for
about two and one-half years. and
has proven his abilities along this
line in a very satisfactory manner.
Most citizens. until they have
served a term as a member Of the
Board Of Directors, do not realize
the many and varied interests that
pass through the Office Of the Cham
Der OF Commerce. As a matter Of
fact. the Chamber IN really a clear
ing house for all matters Of interest
to the people Of the community.
During the period Of the partici-
patton Of the United States in the
Great War. the Chamber Of Com
merce took the lead in every phase
Of war activity. and II was largely
through the excellence Of the organ
nation that Lubbock County was
able 10 reach the success attained In
this work. Immediately after the
outbreak Of the war the Chamber
placed all the machinery Of the or
ganization at the disposal Of the
government In the Liberty Loan
campaigns the Chamber OF Com
merce through its cooperation with
the county organizations. was main
" instrumental IN securing the ov-
ersubscrlptlons which attended these
drives
The secretary acted As assistant
food administrator. and In that ca
paeliy issued thousands of sugar and
-four eafdzt furnished valuable sta
tlaiIes 70 The ToseInmenii organ
lsei and maintained . Pair Price
cemmI,'sl .ed held dszsns q meet