The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-03-20
CHAMBER HOST
 TODAY 10 SIX
 FORMER HEADS
Past Presidents of Cham Der Review its History
 for Past 25 Years

Six past presidents of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce today re- viewed the history of that organiza- tion over a period covering more than quarter of a century, extend ing from the early years of the present century to the present time. Those speaking were B. M. Beh- Tends, Allen Shattuck, R. E. Robert son, Dr. H. c. DeVighne. Wallis S George and H. L. Faulkner.
 H. I. Lucas, another past presi- dent, was unable to attend the meeting, and Charles Goldstein, one of the earlier presidents, is out of town.
 Behrends Is Pioneer
 MT. Behrends, who was President of the original commercial organ ization, suggested that the Cham Der renew its activities for more road construction in this district. T have noticed that those who keep asking for things get them. We might get 10 or Is miles more of roads if we went after it," he said.
 He reviewed the high lights of the Chamber under his administra- tion. One of it's first endeavors was to secure the territorial capital for Juneau, Other matters kept arising that compelled local business men to keep the organization alive. MT. Behrends recalled the largest meeting of business men on Gasti- neau Channel This was at the time of the San Francisco earth quake 24 years ago. Under the auspices of the Juneau club, 8 meeting was held with Douglas and Treadwell clubs and a relief fund of large size was collected by them jointly for the temblor victims.
 Another incident was the enter tainment of Capt Amundsen when he returned from his discovery of the northwest passage. MT. Beh- rends and H. R. Shepard, Secretary of the Chamber then, met the ex- plorer who was the guest of the club during his short stay in Ju- neau.
 Re-Organized Chamber
 MT. Shattuck took up the history of the organization from the time of it's renewed activity some 12 or B years ago. He depicted some of the obstacles encountered and the success of the Chamber in over coming them
 The adoption of the budget sys- tenn. he said, was largely responsi- ble for the expansion of the or ganization and it's growth to the largest in Alaska. Its best at tendance records and the scope of it's work date from the adoption of that system, he said. With in- creased membership and morei largely attended meetings, there was gradual decrease in criticism from outside quarters. Critics from within the ranks disappeared as more and more of them were in duced to take an interest in the work.
 Such an organization as the Chamber of Commerce is essential to any community that desires to grow, he declared. Anyone who has any doubt as to the work it does being worthwhile, has only to study the records of the local Chamber to be convinced that it is of very material benefit to the city. There has been very little in the way of improvements that the Chamber has not actively pro- noted, he added.
 He pointed out the benefits to be derived by members from the weekly meetings, and asserted they alone are worth all of the cost of | maintaining the organization.
 Race Next Year
 Dr. DeVighne, who modestly said | he didn't remember anything spe- cial happening during his adminis- tration, answering the question of what the community could expect !!