The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-09-20
NATIONAL HOME
FOR BUSINESS
Plan of the United States
Chamber of Commerce
Now

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2O.-West
Virginia business men are looking
forward to the time soon when they
will have a home OF their own in
the national capital. Word has
the state that the site upon which
this national home for business is
to be erected has just been com
pletely paid for from subscriptions
SO far received to the building fund
OF the Chamber of Commerce OF
the United States. The proposed
site which originally belonged to
Daniel Webster, faces Lafayette
Square III front OF the White House
an ideal location. It was pur.
chased at a cost OF $750,000.
The building itself will add to
the architectural beauty OF Wash
ington. 1t was designed by Cass
Gilbert, the designer OF the Wool.
worth building in New York, and
number of federal buildings in
Washington. Work on the new
structure is to be begun as soon
as the remaining 100000 neces-
sary for the project is paid in. 4
number of communities have al.
ready subscribed their allotment
somely to the campaign. West Vir-
ginia's Industrial and business in.
lerests. as contributors to this
fund, will have u. part ownership
In the project.
Aside from It's contribution to
the building fund, West Virginia
has a strong interest in the activt-
ties of the National Chamber be.
cause OF the states Importance as
a commercial, industrial and man
ufacturing center. The necessity
OF a national business organi cation
was long ago realized by West
Virginia business, so much so that
eleven trade and commercial or.
CARNATIONS In the state have taken
out membership in the National
Chamber. These organizations
are: Chamber OF Commerce, Blue
field; Chamber Of Commerce and
the Shoe Polishers Manufacturers
association Of America. Charleston;
Chamber Of Commerce, Clarks,
burg; Chamber of Commerce. West
Virginia Manufacturers Associa.
merce, Huntington: Chamber Of
Commerce, Martinsburg; Business
Mems Protective association, Nor.
gantown; Board Of Commerce,
Parkersburg; Chamber of Com.
merce, Wheeling.
There are also ninety.six firms
and individuals In West Virginia,
having qualified through member.
ship in local organizations, holding
direct membership themselves in
the National Chamber.
Another evidence of the increas'
ingly broader interest that is being
taken In the national business nf-
fairs by West Virginia business
men Is evidenced by the fact that
West Virginia is represented on
the Board Of Directors and the
1920.21 committees Of the National
Chamber.
These representatives are: John
NJ. Crawford, Parkersburg Rig and
Reel Co.. Parkersburg, member OF
Board OF Directors; /. G. White,
Morgantown, State Geologist Fed
eral Trade committee.
Like thousands Of other progress
i've business men throughout the
country, West Virginia members OF
the Chamber OF Commerce have q
profound interest in the fact that
at last American business Is to
have q permanent homo at the ma
tion's capital. The Chamber OF
Commerce of the United States, a
body founded eight years ago I'm.
der the handicap Of discouraginG
past attempts to organize business
men nationally has been unusually
successful. But the leading bust.
ness men OF the country, interested
in the Chamber Of Commerce have
realized that not until they have
Washington home of their own,
a G. H. @. of American business,
to give the aspect OF material solid
1ty to their organization, will they
be able to exercise proper con-
Btructive influence in national at-
It was with this purpose in view
that the Chamber of Commerce be-
gan plans In 1914 for the erection
Of building In Washington, but
the war caused postponement.
The Indians, at the time OF the
discovery OF America, were constd-
,nVs1 H,lSaE y HVyaNAaS. fN IN RfHPngHTsNF and