The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-17
CHAMBER DIRECTS
RAPID PROGRESS
Of COMMUNITY
Successful and Energetic En-
beavers of Organization
Touch Almost Every VaIu-
able Activity in Territory.
RAISING 100000 FUND
TO ENLARGE SERVICE
Quarters Will Be Just About
Doubled New Departments
Created First Of Year and
Managers EMPLOYED.

The Chamber of Commerce now en-
ploys IL executive secretaries and
heads of departments.
The Industrial department reports
1870 new industries during the year.
Its success follows a policy of daily
dissemination Of special Information to
concerns all over the United States,
which the Industrial commissioner
thinks might be induced to locate a
factory or a branch or even a sales
office in Memphis, 1t is estimated
that the new industries brought to
q Memphis in the last year represent a
capitalization of approximately $1,000
900. and will be the means of adding
from 5000 to 10, 200 employees and their
families to the population Of Mem
phis.
The highway department, under the
direction of Thomas B. King as chair
nan has been very active, The Cham
Der Of Commerce has fostered the WORK
In this section in behalf of the Mis-
sissippi River Scenic Highway associa-
ton, and has taken the leading part
In staging big conventions at Cape Gil
rardeau. Vicksburg. Quincy, Muscatine
and Memphis to organize sections OF
the route. Large delegations were
sent from Memphis to each of these
In addition, Mr.. King as chairman
of the committee, with his co-workers,
has secured the routing through Mem
Dhis of w more national highways.
making the total number Of highways
projected into Memphis II.
The publicity department for most
Of the year has been under the direc-
ton of F. D. Beneke. secretary of the
Southern Aliuvial Land association as
chairman. Mr.. Beneke has surrounded
himself with some of the ablest men
of the city. and has set a new record
In this work. During the year more
than 100 pages of free space has been
secured for articles about Memphis
In various magazines and newspapers.
A conservative estimate of the value
Of this. publicity is said to be not less
than $40, 900.
Under the new budget to be adopted
upon the completion of the 500, 900
sustaining fund, this department will
be given a .full-time, executive secre-
tary; who Will give his whole attention
to this work.
One of the most important achieve
ments of the publicity section during
the year was the revision and reissue
OF the splendid booklet entitled Mem
phts Advantages and Resources" This
work was done in conjunction with
the Industrial department. and the
new booklet will be off the press
within a short time. ,
The convention department, under
the leadership of its chairman, Fl. r.
Chears, has been more active thar at
any time recently. The most important
convention secured recently was the
national gathering of the Farmers
Educational and Cooperative Union of
America, at which several hundred
delegates from al parts Of the country
were present: The sessions were held
at the Chamber of Commerce building
and much important business was
transacted.
This division also was responsible
for the formation Of the corporation,
of 800 rooms. in Memphis. to relieve
I crying need Of more hotel accom-
i modations for the thousands OF visitors
who annually come to Memphis.
Another important gathering vas the
convention Of the Mississippi Valley
association for zone No. 2. which was
held here the latter part of October.
The social agencies Endorsement
committee. has been active under the
c~hairmanship Of Mr.. J: A. Riechman.
Thls committee is making a survey of
all local charities and social agencies
which apply for Endorsement and its
approval means that a charity or So
cial agency is performing a useru!
function, duplicating no other line of
work, and not being operated at an
This automatically eliminated un-
worthy propositions. It is estimated
that this work will save the business
men Of Memphis not less than $50, 600
a year at a cost to the Chamber of
Commerce of not more than IS, 900.
The city agricultural committee, of
which J, M. Dean is chairman, and
Mrs. T. +. Kelley secretary. has done
fine work. 1t might be called a path
finder in a realm of practical activities
OF a new kind, the necessity for which
was first realized during the war. It
Is the only committee of the Chamber
OF Commerce that is under the active
direction of a woman. This committees
work gets outside of the personnel of
the membership Of the Chamber OF
Commerce. and even outside of the
limits of the business community of
Memphis. Its influence is so far reach