The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-11-06
the Chamber Of Commerce or Community Spirit That's Asleep

AIT Sunday morning The Herald Published in this column
The assertion Of 4 director Of the Albuquerque Chamber
Of Commerce that the organization which has led in the
building Of this city s on the verge Of death. The state
ment brought forth expressions Of concern and much discussion
- to Tia causcs that have led tho organization to It's present stuA-
uon Some valuable information has been brought to light. Not
the least important Is the information that the membership Of the
Chamber Of Commerce has dwindled TO a trine over 800 and that
nearly nehalf Of these are the plural memberships; meaning two
or moro memberships taken out and paid for by a single firm or
corporation IN order 70 swell the income from dues and help sup
port the organization
why d II that q minimum Of 700 citizens who should belong
10 the Chamber Of Commerce and aid In supporting its work, as
evidence that they desire to help Albuquerque grow and grow with
It, are not members7
Il 1t because they have not bsen asked to joint Is II because
no concerted, organized effort has been made TO convince them of
the Importance 70 this community and to their own interests Of an
active, vigorous and adequately supported chamber Of commerce.
Is 1t because they do not approve Of the methods and working plan
be said 70 have methods and working pians9 Is it because these
700 who should be active workers. II mot feeders, in community
progress, lack community spirit?
Ia Il the Chamber Of Commerce that is asleep or is IT community
spnt9
We are not gong to undertake to answer these questions. There
ia an answer to every one Of them. We are putting these questions
up to the community, and especially to the members Of the business
community, for consideration.
IL is important that these questions be answered without undue
delay and that the right answers be given Upon such answers
depends the revival Of a vigorous, working chamber Of commerce;
equipped TO do work Of the utmost Importance that lies immediate
iy ahead of this city. II this work is done Albuquerque viii move
forward immediately. If Il Il no, done we will stick. as we are now
stuck on the high center Of indifference. The only practical way
to do this work is through an alert, well financed, enthusiastically
supported community organization; a chamber Of commerce.
In Tuesdays Herald a director Of the Chamber of Commerce
issued a statement which was a very fair presentation of the exact
status of the organization and the work it is doing. It is not en-
trely idle. II employs an efficient secretary who attends promptly
and faithfully to everything that is put up to him; answering letters
Of inquiry, finding lodgings for tourists and healthseekers, direct
ing automobile tourists, finding jobs for jobless, looking out for
convention reservations. In a word the routine work of ouch an
organization in a city Of this size takes all the working time of a
~ ofTrfnuf man m "A hi rouiua uork Ia hainp wall dome
II Is q pitifu fact that the Chamber Of Commerce secretary, whose
time is fully and usefuIly occupied with such work, must take a