Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-01-11
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ELECTION.

The final election for directors Of the Chamber
Of Commerce has been held. Six hundred and
seventeen votes were cast. 1t cannot be said that
this was not q representative election by the rank
and file of the membership.
Self-addressed return envelopes enclosed
with every ballot sent out Upon the receipt at the
Chamber of Commerce of these envelopes they were
held unopened, until the reorganization committee
met to the vote, These envelopes, contain
ing the ballots opened in the presence of the
committee and the vote counted.
This election was conducted in democratic a
manner is possible. The nominations were made
by a primary ballot. The high thirty voted
upon in the final election to select n board of fifteen
Everyone will accept the result as being near
" the will of the membership as it is possible to
make such elections There was no electioneerng
whatever. Each voted his judgment. uninfluenced
by solicitation.
The new board should remember doubt will
remember that they are representing every element
and factor in Albuquerque All factional stres win
be forgotten by this board and the business of
the organization will be conducted in behalf Of the
entire community. Any member who remembers,
when sitting on this board in his Representatives
capacity that he has either friend foe, will fail
in his duty. Neither special favors nor mean retail
alton play any part in any decision.
In other words the Chamber Of Commerce must
be representative of the community as a whole and
good to the greatest number.
In the opinion of the Journal it Is imperative
that the Chamber of Commerce completely sever
its connection with the United States Chamber of
Commerce That organization has committed Itself
to the principle Of the open shop Affiliation with
1t would commit the local Chamber Of Commerce
to this principle. If it becomes necessary for the
local organization to take a hand. way or the
other in a local labor dispute in order to prevent
serious injury to the we'll being OF Albuquerque
should do 1t In the light Of the facts in the indi-
vdual and in the spirit OF an umpire. It's
course should be bound by commitment "in prin-
ciple' in advance. Many laboring men belong to
the organization. All should be made to know that
the Chamber of Commerce is the friend OF all and
hostile to none.
An experiment is about to be conducted in the
democratic organization of a chamber of commerce.
1t will succeed or fail, according to the spirit Of
the directors toward rich and poor alike. The gen.
eral well-being must be the criterion by which ev-
cry question is determined.
The election has been conducted without agita-
ton, or the creation of factional feeling. This
promises well for successful year.
Albuquerque is on the verge Of a great step for
ward The dimensions OF this step will depend
very largely upon the Chamber of Commerce. Lets
be careful intelligent and absolutely Just to all ele-
ments in the city.
The people have decided by majority vote the
ten things they want done in 1922. These will alb
sorb largely the attention OF the organization. The
will of the people must prevail.
All should now put their shoulders to the wheel.
The board, made up OF very diverse group, must
have the cooperation. good will and confidence Of
every one, If 1t is to succeed Upon its success de-
pends the future.
If we can demonstrate a capacity for teamwork
a great future awaits the city. That is the secret
of community Let's prove our good sense.