The Functions of Chambers of Commerce.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 6, 2 April 1906, Page 142

The Functions of Chambers of Commerce.

The American appears as open and frank in business as the Englishman is secretive and suspicious. The American will freely answer any questions about his business, and promptly supply figures m regard to cash prices or expenses of production which would make the average Englishman stare. The American appears to possess no trade secrets, or not to consider any items of his business as being secrets, for he is perfectly willing to, and does, communicate information freely which would be considered secret m England, and enquiries as to which, there, would be sharply resented. In the same way Americans work together, for common purposes, more naturally and easily than Englishmen do in the Old Country. There seems to exist no fear that in meeting together there will be a risk oi one informing the other how his business is carried on. It is clear that they will have to improve matters in this respect in England, and that without loss of time. The experience, on the whole, of work accomplished in the London Chamber goes to prove that the American practice is right, and the British wrong. Ido not contend that traders should meet with the object of pumping one another. On the contrary, I submit that associating together by no means involves disclosure of trade secrets, and further, that men can meet frequently and effect useful work for themselves and their industry without any disclosure whatever. — Kenric B. Murray in the Magazine of Commerce.