The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1921-06-15
.ROTARIANS HOLD
A GOOD MEETING
Splendid Attendance Record-Mr.
Humphrey Talks On Chamber
Of Commerce.

| ana reclted IN his usual pathetic man
ner a bit of poetry, evidently his own,
because certainly no noe else would
lay claim to having composed it.
Rotarian Will Humphrey had charge
of the meeting and was happy in his
presentation of the Kiwanis Quar-
tette, whom he brought along to help
share his burden. 1t is always a pleas
ure for the Rotarians to have these
boys with them for they are really
and truly an attraction and would be
an attraction on any occasion, any
time or any place. Their songs were
received with the usual rounds of
applause, real honest to goodness ap-
plause and no make believe about it..
Rotarian Smith of the Memphis
Club was on hand as the guest of
John Ashcraft. George Wilson pre-
sented Mr., Rose of his old home town,
Lexington, who is connected with the
Farm Demonstration work in the
state. Jesse Stigler came with his
old bar room chum, Jesse Quinn. Mel
son Taylor brough his better looking
brother along.
As previously stated this meeting
was in charge of Mr. Humphrey and
his remarks regarding the Chamber
of Commerce, We're so good that the
Daily Commonwealth reproduces
them:
81 want to say few words on the
subject of a membership campaign of
the Chamber of Commerce, that is to
be conducted soon-not drive, but a
common sense, conservative effort to
properly increase the membership
and revenues of the Chamber. l un-
derstand that it is one of the pur-
poses and desires of the Rotarians to
cooperate with and aid the Chambers
of Commerce in every way, and 1t oc-
ours to me that as individuals, every
one of whom is member Of the
Chamber of Commerce, you would be
more than glad to lend your moral in
fluence and support to this effort.
"Our Chamber of Commerce has
been very much neglected in this re-
spect. Not only has there been no
membership campaign for years, but
the level of dues fixed twelve or fif-
teen years ago, still prevails, in line
with the times and prices of those
days, when neither the usefulness or
activities of Chambers of Commerce
called for the expenditure now re-
ouired to attain any degree of eff
cheney at ALL A minimum Of fifty
cents monthly dues was then fixed.
The average minimum throughout
the United States for the last ten
wears has been two to twO-and-a-half
dollars monthly. 1t is the recognized
standard for Chambers of Commerce,
lust as it is for Rotarians, Kiwanians
etc. The minimum should be not
less than two dollars for each indi-
vidual, except in extreme cases, where
il was evident that two dollars would
actually work a hardship. There are
few men with reasonable salaries or
reasonable business, and any public
spirit at all, who would object to pay
ing two dollars monthly, if called upon
by a committee of representative bus
mess men and asked to do so, after
explaining the need for it and the
usefulness of the Chamber. Firms
should pay not less than one dollar to
one dollar and half for each member,
There are firms in this town paying
dues equivalent to only twenty cents
a month, for each member This is
ridiculous, and attention needs only
be called to it by the proper commit
toe of representative business men OF
Greenwood to correct it. The Cham-
her of Commerce should be put on a
comfortable basis by the solid, sub
stantial business men and interests
of Greenwood, that can be depended
upon at any and all times. We do
not lack much of having it on this
basis now, and very little determined
effort will do it. Then other member
} sbins of which there will be liberal
number, should be depended upon TO
craate reserve fund for extra de-
mands, and to create wider 1ielo
60 ordaavor No criticism can be made
Of the management of the ChamDef
bv Mr. Herr No money is Demg
wasted. 1t is the most economically
managed Chamber known OF any
where. Its total income is nous,
and dollars less than the salary Oh
the Greenville Chamber OF Com.
merce's Secretary and number Oh
others; yet it is doing as much and ne,
more effective work, besides actually
initiating much of that done by the
other chambers. 1t now has penang
hefore the State Railroad Commis-
sion two cases against the express
onmnany, com and two freight rate char
nos II also has these same cases
bending before the Interstate COM
poa,ce Commission. These cases are