Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-13
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..

A prominent and wealthy Albuquerque citizen,
in conversation with friend few days go, COM
planned of the lack of cooperation among the bust
ness interests in their efforts at town building He
pronounced himself being disguised, He named
a large sum which he had spent annually in men,
berships in the Chamber of Commerce and ex-
pressed a decision to this support. OF course
laid all of the trouble at the door of other people
There is a lack of the kind of cooperation which
Albuquerque needs at this juncure in order to make
her take the big step forward which she Is entitled
to take. In arriving at solution we all need TO
cease defending ourselves and justifying
conduct and to look at the situation effectively
to see ourselves as others u.s. IL
The gentleman who talking Is right"
minded man in the main. He feels that he and
few others have carried all the burdens. He feels
that they have lacked support He fails to under
stand that other men, equally public spirited but
poorer in worldly goods, feel that this man and
few of his kind have the Chamber of Commerce
in a position where they can control it and that It's
policy is not always determined by what would best
serve all the people. Therefore they withhold their
support and cooperation. The Journal does not
say that these complanants are right in their con-
illusions. That they think is enough to prevent
any ardent enthusiasm about that commercial body
among modest citizens.
The present system of plural memberships is
responsible for this state of the popular mind.
wealthy man who contributes 81 900 per year there
by receives 33 memberships at $50 each. In a vote
he has 33 times the power of the poor but public
spirited, citizen who afford but one member
ship. A half-dozen men outvote 125 members
of the latter class. 1t is felt by many that this
un-American in its plan and delivers the Chamber
of Commerce to the control of a few.
AS a result of this feeling men who would make
enthusiastic and ardent town builders, not only
withhold their support, but actually knock those
whom they feel have an unwarranted ascendancy
in the affairs of the club.
There should be doubt in the minds of these
leading citizens that the present system Of plural
memberships is wrong in principle In our public
affairs each man and woman, whether rich or poor.
goes to the polls on election day and casts vote
Yet all do not contribute alike to the support of
the government. Men are presumed to pay taxes
in proportion to their property. So in the Cham
Der of Commerce., each man should have one vote.
Those who are fortunate enough to have wealth,
or who have property at stake on the future
Of the CITY, should contribute to Service fund
to help bear the expenses but should seek no
special advantage thereby in the way Of special
power in voting the policy of the chamber.
If few men assume control of thing of this
kind others withdraw and leave them to carry the
burdens
The Chamber of Commerce should be democra-
tized. What is needed is large number Of young,
enthusiastic and industrious members who are too
limited in financial to pay for than
one membership. Such a popularizing of the cham
Der would promptly instill new life into 1t.
Perhaps the public should appreciate the few
men who contribute $500 to $1,000 a year each to
this body 1t would If these liberal contributions were
made and nothing asked in return except a
single vote in the body But under the present
system the suspicion is engendered that contribu-
tons merely are a method to control
The Journal is not attacking these large sup
porters of the Chamber Of Commerce. We not
criticzing the men. We criticzing the system
which has somehow grown up. We criticize 1t be-
cause it does not work successfully.
The American Cities Bureau should be brought
here to reorganize the Chamber Of Commerce.
They are experts in city building and know how
these things ought to be done. The men who now
support the institution should stay behind it. But
new blood should be enlisted
If this DONE most of the public friction
and criticism would and this civic body would
become militant force for community building.
Let us think these things All want moth
ing but results in city progress.