The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1925-01-02
THESE BODIES
JOIN HANDS
Young Weeksville Minister
Observes Union of Mer.
chants and G. of G.
By REV. VANCE HAVNER

Not in the capacity of cub
reporter. nor with any dreams
of breaking into journalism.
but from curious fondnesS
for tackling new adventures
and finding out what men arc
doing in other lines OF cndeavor
than my own. attended. the
banquet given by the Chamber
OF Commerce. Monday night,
Dec. %. at the Linden.
Whether or not what ] shall re-
late will conform to the fixed
standards OF newspaper reporting.
don't know and care less, for did
not 20 as an amateur story-getter
but as human being and, conse-
qhcntiy my report will not be color
ed with the superfastidiOusness Of
the tyrO who is fishing for promo
tiOn.
Mr.. job met me in the Chamber Of
Commerce rooms and very cOurte-
Ously introduced me to the gentle
men who were assembled there.
There was II ripple Of surprise at
the paradOXical presentation Of me
as Il preacher and sub-reporter for
THE INDEPENDENT but, as Mr..
Sheep said. stranger things haye
happened. and most of them dis
missed that enigma as unsuitable
and made me feel at home.
At Z 80 we gathered in the Linden
where Il most enjoyable luncheon
was served.
After the banquet, Mr.. Sheep, tue
president of the Chamber Of Com
merce, caf.cd the meeting TO order
and stated the principal object Of
the meeting the proposed merger of
the Elizabeth City Chamber Of COM
mcrcr and the local Merchants AssO-
citation. He cred several reasons
why such consolidation was dpsir-
rble, sti,.sSins the fact tina. It would
eliminate -lc duplication Of efforts
which have proven such draw
back under The o'd policy.
DR.. BHlla next read Il joint report
which had been previously prepar-
cd hy II committee appointed from
both organizations. proposing con-
Solitlatiom and outlining constjiU-
tion under which the new merger
would fDrction. This report prOvid-
cd. among other things, that both
organizations would retain their
original charters but that the Mer-
chants Association would become a
bureau Of The Chamber OF Com
mcrcc.
Iu discussing this report, Mr.. Job
gave some information based upon
previous experience with fedei1-
tionS(C of this sort and stated
thar. while the merger would not
materia ly lessen the expenses Of the
office forces nf the two bodies that
the Increased efficiency would com
pcnSatc for that fact.
Mr.. EhrimghauS proposed an in
Scrtion which WAS accepted. Their
report WAS then carefully consider.
ed. its details clarified and voted
upon. The motion TO consolidate
the two organizations upon the basis
laid down in the report carried
without dissenting vote. The
much discussed combination Of
these two local forces was thus ef-
fcrtCd and their interests are there
by pooled in II way which does not
limit The individual rights Of either,
hut increases the power and eff.
cheney of both.
So much for the literal. natter
0f-fact side Of This occasion. The
best part Of il vas, # course, the
spirit. the imOSphcrc-and leaving
that ont is like getting all Of joke
except the point The most delight
FIJI feature of this gathering was
the umdrrcIrrcnt of cOmradeship,
The underlying foundation Of good,
will upon which they built their
program of unity. Unity is becom-
in% more and more the watchwOfd
and surely Il spirit Of cooperation
aS WAS manifested Monday night j.
most highly encouraging to all who
long fer bigger and better Eliz-
abclh City.
II WAS not the business transac-
tiOnS. ibC motions and resolutions
and decisions that impressed me-
for 50 often they are stilted and
mechanical and mere matters OF
good form. II was. rather. the ell
ihuSiaSm and thrill of common
purpose thai made me happy to be
there. For was not this gathering
one little handful Of that wOndrOus
family of the Human Race, keeping
aglow the priceless heritage of man
kind Idcai-aDd seeking to- in
terprri u vision in practical meas
urrS that shall hep in perhaps a
small but sire way 10 make earth
Il more desirable home and Clore
habitabIe lodging place for the
genius that lives and strives with.
in il.