San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-15

secure new industries for San AM
tonic based on the utilization Of sur
plus natural gas. reviving markets
and an equitable climate. ran a neck
and neck race in the referendum re-
Gently submitted by the Chamber of
Commerce to its general membership
in an effort TO determine its sentiment
as to that organizations major activi-
ties for 1923.
February 1 the board of directors
of the Chamber authorized a referen-
DUN to the.entire membership. submit
ting IA major activities for the 1923
program in an effort to develop the
sentiment of its 1000 members as to
their relative Importance. In the re-
turns compiled Thursday morning
from the vote taken. the summary
shows that San Antonio business
men regard the necessity for the con-
struction of a retention dam and the
inauguration of campaign for new
basic industries, to be San Antonio's
two greatest needs. The vote polled
on these two activities led the refer
endum by almost . 10 1 greater than
the average vote cast on the remain
ing II proposals.
May Await New Administration.
Immediately following the flood in
September. 1921, the directors of the
Chamber pledged that organization to-
ward removing every obstacle neces-
sary TO the adoption of measures TO
prevent recurrence of this disaster.
Its Greater San Antonio committee.
working through expert engineers of
national reputation, spent four months
in an exhaustive study of the meas
ures which it was advisable TO adopt
in this connection. The report was
submitted and adopted by practically
a unanimous vote. The result of this
work was transmitted to the mayor
and commissioners, where the reports
and recommendations have since re-
manned.
In recognition of the fact that the
necessity for protective measures is
still uppermost in the minds of every
citizen of San Antonio, the newly
elected board of directors, when it
organized in January last. again COM
mitted the Chamber to use its utmost
endeavors TO compel the submission
of the question to the people. with a
view to securing authority with which
to take the necessary steps toward
flood prevention. Whether. in the
light of the referendum just closed,
the directors of the Chamber of Com
merce will undertake to force the
submission of this issue Immediately
or will determine to await the action
of an incoming administration, which
it feels will cooperate TO this end,
has not yet been announced.
Start Tourist Campaign Earlier.
Another subject contained in the
referendum, which secured almost
unanimous support. was the proposal
TO continue on a larger scale. a ma
tionwide publicity camnaign to estab-
lish San Antonio as the winter play
ground of America. launching the
movement in the early fall of 1923.
The Chamber inausurated such a cam
naign in December of last year. con-
tinuing it for period Of two months
in 26 leading daily newspapers and
periodicals of America. This year.
it is proposed to launch the campaign
not later than September. at a time
when it is believed that the majority
of winter tourists are planning their
itineraries.
Percy Tyrrell. chairman Of the
publicity bureau, stated yesterday that
while gratified at the outcome of the
Chambers recent campaign. he was
convinced that if launched in the fall
| of the present year. in advance of
tourists plans for the winter much
greater results would be secured.
Six Other Vital Projects.
Following are some Of the other
| proposed ma ior activities listed in the
referendum. which met with favor ut
the Lands of the Chambers member
shin:
Renew efforts to secure the con-
struction of an auditorium adequate
to San Antonio's needs as national
convention city.
Continue cooperation with Corpus
Christi TO hasten construction of deep
water harbor, together with adequate