The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-01-28
ORGANIZED COMMUNITY SPIRIT
IS THE HOPE OF AMERICA
INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS MADE BY MR.. COLv B. BROWN TO CIT
HENS OF OCALA FRIDAY EVENING

United States Chamber of Commerce,
who addressed citizens of Ocala to the
number Of nearly one hundred, in the
dining room of the Harrington last
night, is an eloquent speaker, a man
who has travelled much and well post
ed on the commercial, industrial and
agricultural activities of the United
States and the world. His address
was intensely interesting and keenly
appreciated by those who were fortu-
nate enough to hear him. 1t was a
matter of regret that the speaker did
not have time to enter more fully into
details.
The crowd gathered promptly at six
o'clock in the lobby and parlors of
the hotel, many ladies being present,
but it was after $50 when the first
course of the dinner was served. See
ing that the time of the speaker was
going to be very short, Mr.. c. G.
Rose, president of the Board of Trade,
who presided over the occasion, intro
duced Mr.. Brown when the salad was
served and during the remainder of
the dinner the commerce expert made
his talk. During the evening Mrs.
Davis at the piano rendered some of
her best selections, Mr.. Albert Gerig
conducted several selections which the
entire assembly joined in singing and
Mr. Edwin S. Gernant sang two solos
Miss Wartmann playing his accom-
paniment. One of the best features
of the dinner was the railroad hand
clap, directed by Mr.. Gerig, which
the diners gave the speaker when he
had finished talking, promptly at
o'clock. 1t was the first time many
had seen and heard it and it just filled
the bill of their appreciation for the
splendid address they were privileged
to hear.
Mr.. Browns address. follows:
america today holds winning
hand in the world game, but much de-
pends upon the way she plays it.
"We have more than third of al
the gold in the world; our banking
system has successfully withstood the
greatest strain in its history; we have
had fair crops; hundreds of millions
have been voted for public improve
ments; there is an unprecedented de
mand for houses and buildings of al
kinds.
"The cost of production is -highel
than it was before the war and il
bound to remain higher, for it is onl!
out of production that the world cal
pay interest on war debt of TIVE
hundred and fifty millions of dollars
not to speak of increased cost of gov
ernment and higher standard of liv
ing to be maintained.
"If prices should get down below
the cost Of production no power cal
keep them there When the period o
defiation is over buying will begin
There is nothing in the situation t,
lend encouragement.
"The Chamber of Commerce of tn
United States represents business il
an organized way. 1t is no guard a
the national capital. Legislation il
any way affecting business comes un
der its immediate observation. 1t pro
vides machinery for the careful scru
tiny of such legislation and for bring
I" ing it promptly to the attention o
business men throughout the country
eThough committees of experience
men, and departments officered an
stated by experts, it makes study o
business problems and renders serv
ice the value of which is being increas
ingly recognized by the users an
benefciaries of its machinery an
service.
"Being a federation of chambers G
commerce and trade associations, th
national chamber is in position to ge
the opinion of it's organization men
bers on business problems and legi:
lation, make that opinion known I
Congress and obtain a hearing.
f.The close relationship which Il
national chamber bears to it's organ
zation members gives it a very gre'
interest in their success,
tBusy workshops, fertile fields al
easy means Of communication fro
place to place are some of the ell
ments that make a nation great, al
a nation is but the sum total of
community units. Perhaps many
our national problems could be soly'
if we could break them up into just
many little pieces so there are W.
organized community units, leaving
to each to do its bit. This is one
the reasons why we need well organi
ed and we'll conducted chambers
commerce in every city and town
the country.
"There are certain essential e
ments in the building and conduct
a successful chamber of CONNER,
The first Of these is a strong unde
standing of the position it occupies
the community life. Those whose su
port is solicited are entitled to kn'
that it is not organized and conduct