The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-07-03
GOOD YEARS WORK.

TNHE EVENING HERALD is informed that there are a few mem.
bers of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce who have not
paid their annual dues or subscription to The budget of the or
ganization and that they are refusing to do SO because they assert that
the organization is not producing results for them. Fortunately the
number of these members is very small. A vast majority of the mem
bership, we believe, is satisfied with the results shown during the
past 10 months; they have every reason for satisfaction, because
during this period the organization has been run on a business basis;
IL has produced excellent results and it is funetioning more efficient
ly than for many years.
When the Chamber of Commerce was reorganizcd on its present
basis several years ago those who joined did SO for a period of years
and signed agreements to pay dues each year. which agreements are
equivalent TO notes and are binding financial obligations. We do
not know what the policy of the organization will be toward the few
who are refusing to pay dues for which they have obligated them
selves, Vigorous action would be the proper course.
We all remember the old days when the Chamber of Commerce
or one OF its committees passed the hat every few minutes. II it
was to entertain the teachers convention; if any special train party
was stopping here for two hours If any special advertising was
the Chamber of Commerce had to pack around a subscription paper
aud in the course of the year business men gave double the money
which they now pay in as dues. and got one-half the efficiency in its
expenditure.
To understand what the Chamber of Commerce has done during
community benefit goods actually delivered during the period-and
delivered without the circulation of a single subscription paper;
lection of annual dues.
We hold that this list. which is printed in another column on
this page today, is a fine showing for the Chamber of Commerce
Ne mold nS1lI it n to be a program oors% n of fire results suit in in which Ins.G every w. business %sI% Inn man n
has cost business men less than half what would have been taken from
Oftentimes The Herald is inclined to be impatient because the
Chamber of Commerce does not hustle out and drain the Rio Grarde
valley over night, or because it does NOT grab Il capitalist, club him
and take the money away from him to build a big hotel. But in our
to be done such as is outlined in this summary of achievements print.
ed today that this work is of the highest Importance, and that the
present organization is doing that work and doing il well.
Now as to next year; There are a lot of men and women, in bus
mess and owning property, who do not belong to the Chamber of
Commerce. They participate in the benefits derived from the work
of the organization, and from the money it spends. But they do
not help with "A dollar. They let George do the helping.
This is community sefshness; and il is not only unworthy but
IT is injurious to the very people who hold back and thus escape their
fair share of the load: because by the exact number of those who
hold back and refuse their support. just 50 far is Albuquerque div
ided and its efficiency in community work retarded.
There is less "kcking' at the Chamber of Commerce we believe
than ever before, Even chronic "kickers' and scolds of whom we
have n few in our midst, have found it difficult to find much fault
with an organization that has brought twenty-times or more money
into town than it has spent. But there are too many of us who are
not in the harness. II is not the size of the membership payments
that count, it is the number of those who pay them and thus enlist
themselves actively in the big job of making Albuquerque grow.
II is possible to sit on the side lines and let the other fellow
do the work and rake off the profits that get to the sides of the play
ing field. But il isn't spOrtsmanlke.
The Chamber of Commerce is entering a new fiscal year. 1t is
in better shape to get results than ever before. Lets all join in and
whOop things up for the coming fall and winter,
It is safe. sound. conservative business to estimate that every
dollar you put into Chamber Of Commerce work, run as it is being
run in our town now. is good for one hundred per cent or better on
YOUR individual dollar to YOU.
All you folks who are holding out and saving a few dimes at the
expense of a Chamber OF Commerce that should include everybody,
think it over, broaden out your ideas a bit; get in the game. fOuI
feel better and you'll make more money and your town and your
investments in it will be healthier in every way. So will you.