The True Test of Community Pride

Notwithstanding the Depression and Stress of the Past Twelve Months, The Chamber of Commerce Completed the Most Successful Year in Its History- A Record Made Possible by the Support of a Membership Whose Loyalty to Its City Is Not Excelled in Any Other American Municipality

February 1915

Few if any commercial organizations in this country can present as remarkable a progressive and constructive record for the year 1914 as that shown by the Worcester Chamber of Commerce at the annual meeting of the corporation, Thursday, January 14. Despite the industrial depression of the last twelve months and the general unsettled conditions of business, not one businessman lost faith in this great commercial organization of the Heart of the Commonwealth. They realized here in Worcester, as should be realized in ever city in the United States, that a commercial body such as ours has greater possibilities and greater opportunities to serve its members-both as individuals and collectively- during periods of unusual stress and depression than when our industries and our mercantile houses are riding on the high waves of prosperity.

The membership of this Chamber remained loyal throughout the year. The number of resignations were so small that they were barely noticeable when compared with the total number enrolled; and enough new members were entered to practically offset every resignation and every name written off the books for non-payment of dues.

Furthermore, the members emphasized their interest in the organization by turning out to the annual meeting in greater numbers than at any previous session in the thirty-nine years’ history of the Chamber, and its predecessor the Board of Trade.

This attendance was stimulated by the fact that in addition to the list of nominations for directors as presented by the nominating committee there were two independent nominations. Every effort was made to enable as many members of the Chamber as possible to ballot on nominations by opening the polls at 4 o’clock; but, at a special meeting of the Executive Committee, it was ruled, as a matter of law, that such a step would be illegal under the Constitution and By-laws in which it is stipulated that the annual meeting shall be held at 8 o’clock in the evening. To remove this difficulty the new Board of Directors has already decided to place an amendment before the members to permit the opening of the polls at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. It is believed, as a result of the election this year, that a majority of the members will favor this amendment as it will convenience a large number who might desire to designate their choice of officers and yet who might be prevented from attending the annual meeting in the evening.

1915:Volume 18 The Worcester Magazine
Courtesy of: The Library of Congress