Arizona republican., 1920-03-14
l. NAME R. ]. ROPER NEW PRESIDENT
 PHOENIX |. IF |.
Selection of Leading Motor Car Man Recognition of Prominent Position of In dustry In the Country

R. D. Roper, haid of the R. D. Roper Motor company, was elected president of the Phoenix chamber of commerce yesterday at a dinner given to the dl- rectors of that orga nization by F. w. Griffen, retiring president.
 w. W. Lawhon was elected. first vice. president; Royal Lescher, second vice. president; Harry Thompson, treasurer. and Harry Welch was again chosen for the office of secretary.
 The election of R. D. Roper to head the chamber of commerce for the com ing year is regarded by the directors and others as particularly happy choice. MT. Roper has occupied q leading position in the business life of Phoenix for a number of years. For merly he owned a Cne-half interest in the Jefferson hotel when that hotel was first opened. but a number of years ago MT. Roper disposed of his interests there and entered the auto mobile business.
 In the years he has been engaged in this industry he has become one of the most prominent and successful in the state and his election as president Of the chamber of commerce is a recog- milton of the important and leading po- sition the automobile business occu- pies among the great industries of the city, state and nation.
 Most Successful Year
 The gathering of the directors yes terday was a most enthusiastic one, there being many expressions of Satis- faction and thanksgiving for the most successful year in the history of the Phoenix chamber of commerce and equal enthusiasm that the coming year will show even greater advancement.
 Of the 16 members of the board of directors authorized by the constitu- tion,, II are new men, five being car from board selection of Messrs. Roper, LaWhon. Lescher and Thompson is considered as excellent. Mir Welch was not present at the meeting until after he had been reelected as secretary but the in coming and outgoing boards of direc- tors gave him a rousing reception.
 Harry Welch has filled the office of secretary of the chamber of commerce for several years. He has been an es- sential factor in the development of that organization to such an extent that the local chamber has become favorably known throughout the coun- try.
 Several matters of interest were dis posed of at the meeting. The secre- tary was authorized to call a meeting for March 20 for the purpose of or ganizing an Apache Trail Improvement association after plans made at the meeting of Friday. This meeting will be held at the Water Users, building and will be attended by at least five representatives from each of four counties interested-Greenlee, Graham Gila and Maricopa, and five rperesen- tatives from the Water Users associ- ation.
 Work for New Quarters
 The president was authorized to se- lect a committee of five on proposed new quarters for the chamber and for new work ahead for the organization.
 T 1+<.l 1fracr the Marine corps detachment recently here and declaring it credit to the United States and their organization.
 It was suggested that George H. Maxwell represent the chamber of com merce at a meeting called by Frank lin K Lane in Washington March 20 to consider community organization throughout the United States. It has been suggested there be a NeighbOr's Day June 14 when all communities in the United States hold pageants as a means of emotionalizing the country for definite purposes along the lines of Americanization. This will be decided at the call meeting at Washington, it was explained yesterday.
 The new board Of directors of the Phoenix chamber of commerce is com posed of the following:
 s J. M. Aitken, John H. Barker, c. F. Beach, J. C. Dobbins, F. T. T.F'urguson, F. W. Griffen, W. w. Lawhon, R. w. Lescher, J. D. Loper, J. H. Mulrein, Roy Murray, R. D. Roper, A. c. Fay Tor Harry Thompson and Frank Vault.
 Besides President F. w. Griffen, the old officers of the chamber were:
 Roy s. Goodrich and A. T. Esgate, vice-presidents; Donald Dunbar. treas urer, and Harry Welch, secretary. The old directors were: W. D. Button, E. Power Conway, R. F. Davie, Donald Dunbar. A. T. Esgate, Roy s. Goodrich. F. w Griffen. w. w. Lawhon. Ralph Murphy, Warren McArthur. H. D. Me Way, c. P. Nevitt. c. P. Pratt, c. A. Stauffer, Harry Thompson and Frank Viault.