The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-06-25
CHAMBER FUNDS IN GOOD SHAPE, WALMSLEY SAYS
Healthy Balance Reported by Secretary at End of
 First Half Year

Showing a balance of cash on hand today of $1,02355, the Cham Der of Commerce ended it's first six months of the current year in good condition. This was indicated by the financial statement made to the Chamber today by Secretary C. H. Walmsley.
 A net paid membership of 1855, enrolled membership of 197 and total membership attendance of 875 was revealed in the statement
 Report Notes Problems
 The problem of keeping organi cations of this nature alive and useful to their communities was discussed philosophically by MT walmsley in his semi-annual re- port which accompanied the finan- cial statement. Horse sensa," he concluded, is the main ingredient needed in steering their courses.
 Mir. Walmsley's report and fi- nancial statement follow in full:
 Back in the days when transat- lantic travel was largely by sail, a philosopher set down a metaphor to the effect that the charted course of any vessel was not a straight line from port to port. but the zig-zag record of a hundred tacks. Steam navigation has rob- bed the observation of its timeli- ness, perhaps, but not of its sig nificance.
 ! "The Chamber of Commerce, has or should have, port of destina- tion-a definite service to it's com munity through the accomplish ment of a specific program. But the going is often rough; and in spite of modern methods of organ ization and m agem mt, the Chamber of Commerce still oper- ates (for the purpose and meaning of this report at least) under sail, rather than under steam.
 "The business world generally is equipped for steam propulsion and high-pressure propulsion, at that. So is the Chamber of Com merce-in theory; but in practice it is buffeted by the winds of pub : lie opinion, and hindered by the adverse tides of indifference and financial neglect It must trim sail' more often, perhaps, than private business enterprises, for the reason that there are more factors to make direct progress dif- ficult Even steam vessels are often driven off their course. Pri- vate enterprise of major import ance frequently veer and tack. The Chamber of Commerce, perforce, must do likewise.
 Keeping to Course
 "The important thing is to keep moving in the general direction O. the port of destination. Only those who have never held the wheel vii. criticize zig-zag course. A wise navigator will avoid storms as long as possible, and will take advan- tage of every favorable current and tide. The Chamber of Com merce proceeds cont inuousl among conflicting currents. Its members, even it's directors, often do not agree on the best methods of reaching it's objectives. Some times indeed, they do not agree on the objectives themselves. Prac tices, and even policies are ire quently the results of necessary compromise. Without forsaking any real matter of principal, the Cham Der of Commerce is obliged to re concile conflicting points of view consolidate divergent opini o ns- , steer a course, in short, that vii . avoid shipwreck, utilize favorable currents of public psychology, arle : reach porti
 ;, That does not mean fto contin l ue the marine metaphor that thu ship must always run to cover. l : must be so timbered and manned - that it can go into storm whei : such a course is wise and neces !, sary. The object of the marine ,, (Continued on Page Two)