Evening star., 1922-05-15
BY JOSEPH H. DEFREES,
President Chamber OF Commerce
tho United states.

Precedent Chamber OF Commerce of
tho United states.
The Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States was created nine years
ago to meet very real need for an
organization that could obtain and pre-
sent the viewpoint of business on great
public questions. Government oficials.
as we'll as leading busines men. had
come to realize the advantage OF having
central organization representing
business which could provide informa-
ton needed in the formulation Of laws
and regulations affecting business.
Those in executive positions in the
government and mambers Of Congress
welcome informal views and unbiased
presentation of facts. | recall an in
cident that vividly Illustrated this fact.
western state received one day tele.
grams from two leading commercial
organizations within his state. one ask
him to vote for and the other asking
him to oppose important national legis-
lation then pending in Congress.
81 wish 1t were possible" the senator
said in perplexity. ito ascertain the
views Of business throughout the coun,
try on these questions There is need
OF a method Of obtaining a consensus
of business opinion.
In its referendum system the Chamber
OF Commerce Of the United States has
found that method. In its use Tor get
ting concrete expression OF opinion
and as an educational document 10 ato
in arriving at a just decision the ref
erendum is absolutely unique Iae
strength of the National Chamber. lies
In this plan of obtaining the mandate
of its membership. Even the board OF
directors cannot commit the chamber
In advocacy of or opposition to a prop
osition. Its membership. made up OIL
more than 140O Industrial and CONNER
cial associations. control its policies
and determine its course OF actlon.
encouragement Of Trade.
The purpose Of the chamber. as set
forth in the bylaws. s to encourage
trade and commercial intercourse
among the states and with foreign ma
tions and to promote corporation
among business organizations. IL aims
to obtain uniformity and equity IN nusl-
ness usages and laws and 10 seeure .ia,,
proper consideration and concentra tioii
of opinion supon questions affecting the
business and civic interests OF the
country at large. ,.a
Three Presidents of the Cnlteo
States have lauded its aims anq nase
taken an interest in its work. WOOD
row Wilson said OF II:
'.It is very instructive and usetul
for the government to have sucn an
organization as you are reauy "
supply for getting sds sort OF consensus fnem no
particular quarter and originates
with no particular interest
William H. Taft, who as Presldent
called the meeting which resulted IN
its creation. said at that time: -.
"It has come at a time when the
opportunities for making an organl-
zation of this kind seem to be espe-
cially useful. 1 speak Of a move
ment for the purpose OF showing the
power that this national organlzatiotaa
has by the referendum to al! OF
these organizations to gather from
them the best public opinion ina.
there is, in order to influence the
legislation of the country SO iar as
it may properly be influenced.
Theodore Roosevelt said that "such
great national organization OF
business men and commercial asso-
Citations is invaluable
Aside from what it is accomplish ,
ing as a medium for giving national
expression to business OPINION, .ne
chamber, through it's headquarters
in Washington. is giving to its mem
bership a highly valuable research
and information service.
Rapid Development.
The founders of the chamber set
about their task with unusual Vlslon'
but even their expectations were eN-
ceeded in the organization grown
and development Experience dem
onstrated that 1t was necessary to
expand the organization to accord
with increasing responsibilities and
obligations to the membership.
Therefore the machinery OF opera
tion at washington has been ;a1 revlsen, its
work largely through departments
These departments give to the mem-
bership highly specialized services
in the various divisions OF business
to which the departments correspono.
The administrative departments are
four in number. Their functions and
service cover a wide and varied field.
To carry on the work systemati,
cally. to keep campaigns going untii
definite results have obtained IN
making effective the policies 70 Wnlch
referenda or by resolutions adopted
in annual or special meetings. there
has been created the resolutions ana
referenda department
To make effective our policies may
take a few days. a few weeks, some
months or several years. The activi-
ties may range from forceful pres
entation of facts to Congress TO
nation wide campaign OF education
to the whole country through the
release of stories at opportune times
the presentation of facts which
arouse editorial discussion. and the
stimulation OF public forces in our
support which exercises a powerful
influence when that support is gained.
II is quite as important to know
when to strike as it is essential to
be prepared to carry on an extensive
campaign.
A research bureau was established
in 1913. With the reorganization OF
the chamber. it's designation was
changed to that of research depart
ment Its functions cover research
legislative, legal and economic-for
members, committees and depart
ments.
Method OF Referendum.
When the board orders that re-
port of a committee be submitted to
a referendum vote by the constituent
membership, the report Is referred
statement of the report is formulated.
arguments against the propositions
recommended are drafted. and a ball
lot is set up indicating the questions
to be voted upon. In other words
the department places in completed
document all the facts necessary to
enable members to intelligently con-
slider and record their attitude on
the propositions submitted.
The department renders to members
a direct service by means of the gen.
eral bulletin issued weekly. contain
ing up-to-the- minute Information re-
garding the activities of the differ
ent governmental departments. bu-
reaus and commissions which con-
cern business and commerce; by the
legislative bulletin issued weekly
during sessions of Congress, which
follow the progress Of all legislation
being considered in Congress affect