The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-02-19

member this, in this industrial age,
there is competition in city building
the same as We find in individual
bushes enterprises, and il we do not
organize for growth, we shall finally
succumb to those cities which do
organize.
"NOw, finally, there is one very
potent reason why we should pro-
mote new business enterprises to
swell the population of this city. Ii
is a very human reason, quite per-
sOnaI, indeed, to most all of us. IL
is based upon the law of self-preser-
vatiOn-selfishness.
Represents Business
'In this particular instance, I as
sumo to represent thousands OF
small business men. 1 represent big
business men who sell to the small
business man. l represent bankers
who receive deposits from all kinds
Of business. 1 represent the real
estate dealer and the real estate
owners. 1 represent railroads, the
traction lines and public utilities.
represent labor, which depends for
its hire on business enterprises. 1
represent every charity orga nization,
every hospital and every church. In.
deed, I assume to represent the civil
and school governments of the city.
a n fhnGn al 4
that their prosperity is dependent
upon the industrial and commercial
prosperity of the community at
large. 1 say to you, Mr.. Chairman,
we are all anxious because of this
self-preservation reason for a new
spirit Of industrial and commercial
expansion in Indianapolis!
Here at the crossroads OF Amer
lea we want TO see a city Of mil.
lion population. We all know this
city does not now enjoy the pros
perity it deserves, and we know
something can be done to create
greater opportunity for all kinds of
business. and we know tat oppor-
tunity must come through a very
practical program OF industrial ex-
pansion and population growth.
Now, what OF Homer McKee's
plan? II there was no other reason
for adopting this plan to stimulate
our growth, II would be sufficient to
say we approve Of it because it is
the only concrete plan ever pre-.
scented to do the thing which we
all desire should be done. If this
city has been lacking in any one
thing in the past it has been in
leadership. II Homer Mckee or
any one else comes to the front now
as a leader in concrete thought, I
say it is up TO us to follow that
leadership. In listening to this
proposed plan Of action I can see
nothing to cricise.
Chamber Lacks Funds
Some one says, why should we
have an outside organization to do
this thing, why isn't it the province
OF the Chamber OF Commerce? II
we were a freer giving community
and had the enthusiasm of all the
people modified in the Chamber Of
Commerce organization, I think It
could be done by the Chamber Of
Commerce. Mr.. Chairman, we face
a condition and not a theory. 1
happen to know the Chamber OF
Commerce cannot do this thing be-
cause OF an utter lack of funds.
I'm passing, let me say to those
who are prone to criticise the Cham.
Der of Commerce for it's seeming In
activity in promoting industry, that
so long as the Chamber of Commerce
is so lily provided with funds, we
need not expect marvellous results
from that source; so long as we here
in Indianapolis sit complacently by
with a contribution OF so per cent
under even the much smaller city of
Columbus, Ohio, with Kansas City
giving to her Chamber Of Commerce
three times what we give here; with
Louisville, Ky. Toledo and other
neighboring cities supplying funds
all out of proportion to what we
give our chamber, we need not ex-
pect to reap a reward from our
Chamber of Commerce activities
comparable at all to what is done in
other cities.
"Some one says. IL the Chamber
Of Commerce would change its at
titude and devote more of it's en-
ergies to building up industries It
would draw more freely from bust
ness men and women in the city. OF