1944-1953 victory and postwar challenges: the Detroit Board of Commerce looks ahead to a new and uncertain era.As World War II drew to a victorious conclusion for the Allies, the Detroit Board of Commerce turned its attention to the new realities of a postwar era that was an odd mixture of optimism on the one hand and pessimism on the other. While pent-up demand for consumer goods consumer goods Any tangible commodity purchased by households to satisfy their wants and needs. Consumer goods may be durable or nondurable. Durable goods (e.g., autos, furniture, and appliances) have a significant life span, often defined as three years or more, and ushered in a wave of unprecedented prosperity for many Americans, the emerging Cold War and the spread of communism fostered a chilly climate of fear and political repression Political repression is the oppression or persecution of an individual or group for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing their ability to take part in the political life of society. . The Board's first order of business in its fifth decade was an all-out campaign to promote Victory Loans as a "thank you" to returning veterans. The Board and its members teamed up to raise more than half of Wayne County's entire Victory Loan total. The Board's Committee on Economic Education also swung into action to make sure veterans got the higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. they needed and deserved. By 1946, the Board was taking a more balanced view of the labor movement, pledging to minimize strike losses and work toward impartial conciliation conciliation: see mediation. and mediation as a means of avoiding government intervention. In a 1948 Detroiter article, the Board acknowledged the emergence of "union maturity, sane negotiations and balanced agreements," while at the same time welcoming the Taft-Hartley Act Taft-Hartley Act officially Labor-Management Relations Act (1947) U.S. legislation that restricted labour unions. Sponsored by Sen. Robert A. Taft and Rep. Fred A. Hartley, Jr. as a much-needed antidote antidote Remedy to counteract the effects of a poison or toxin. Administered by mouth, intravenously, or sometimes on the skin, it may work by directly neutralizing the poison; causing an opposite effect in the body; binding to the poison to prevent its absorption, to the "abuses" unleashed by the New Deal. In 1951, as Detroit celebrated its 250th birthday, Harvey Campbell, the Board's top officer, opined in a Detroiter editorial: "To us, Detroit's future looks rosier than it has at any time during the two full generations that we have been elbowing our way downtown." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Board also took note of the demographic makeover the Detroit metropolitan area was experiencing. Taking a close look at 1950 census figures, the Detroiter noted that for the first time suburban growth topped that of Detroit and went on to predict that "it is a phase that probably will continue"--an understatement if there ever was one. In 1952, the Board sent a letter of congratulations to President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower urging "vigorous efforts ... to remove barriers to that free exchange of goods and services In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility (unless the "good" is a "bad"). It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax. which is essential to the strength of the free world." With it, the Board enclosed a copy of the Board's "Statement of Policy," a detailed blueprint for free trade in a global economy which also was mailed to every member of the organization. Over the next few months, hundreds of letters and telegrams poured into the Board from government leaders (including Ike himself), educators and others from all walks of life praising the visionary plan. The Board celebrated 50 years of service with a sold-out Golden Anniversary Dinner on June 24, 1953, at the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel. In his keynote speech keynote speech n. See keynote address. Noun 1. keynote speech - a speech setting forth the keynote keynote address keynote - the principal theme in a speech or literary work , Roger M. Kyes, deputy secretary of defense, spoke at length of the threat posed by the Soviet Union to U.S. security. George W. Stark, historiographer of the city of Detroit, penned the Board's official 50-year history. In it, Board President John S. Coleman wrote compellingly of the "challenges of the future," including the planned St. Lawrence Seaway Noun 1. St. Lawrence Seaway - a seaway involving the Saint Lawrence River and the Great Lakes that was developed jointly by Canada and the United States; oceangoing ships can travel as far west as Lake Superior Saint Lawrence Seaway , federal taxation issues, improved U.S. Customs operations and efforts to reduce trade barriers. A Message from the Ace Eddie Rickenbacker, president of Eastern Air Lines This article is about the defunct U.S. air carrier Eastern Air Lines. For the UK company that operates as Eastern Airways, see Eastern Airways. Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from the late 1920s until 1991. and former World War I aviation ace, sent this Christmas message to the Board in 1947. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Workforce Development In 1944, delegates from the Board inspected the Henry Ford Trade School for disabled veterans in Dearborn. (inset) Students listened intently as an instructor demonstrated micrometer micrometer (mīkrŏm`ətər, mī`krōmē'tər). 1 Instrument used for measuring extremely small distances. reading. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the Decades By Bob Cook My first experience with the Chamber began in 1945 with a cruise. In 1953, I attended my first trade mission to the Far East. It was a group of 35 people who had reached millionaire status with their business. I was out of place as my employer asked me to attend as a substitute. The contacts I made during this trip helped me take the start of an idea and turn it into a 16-store retail shoe business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Nova Scotia Nova Scotia (nō`və skō`shə) [Lat.,=new Scotland], province (2001 pop. 908,007), 21,425 sq mi (55,491 sq km), E Canada. Geography mission in the 1970s provided another example of the impact the Chamber can have on others. While touring businesses, we sampled the local lobster. So taken by the taste, members asked if 500 lobsters--at $1 apiece--could be provided that day for the Chamber's breakfast. We all were impressed with the meal and left the small fishing town with a taste of the Chamber's influence. Never did I think in 1970 that I would be meeting a potential business partner as I crossed the Atlantic. While on a plane en route to Russia with the Chamber, I met a builder. Upon our return we established a partnership for a new development and building company. To date, I work with this partner and recollect rec·ol·lect v. rec·ol·lect·ed, rec·ol·lect·ing, rec·ol·lects v.tr. To recall to mind. See Synonyms at remember. v.intr. To remember something; have a recollection. others who I met during membership and solicitation solicitation In criminal law, the act of asking, inducing, or directing someone to commit a crime. The person soliciting another becomes an accomplice to the crime. The term also refers to the act of obtaining bribes, as well as to the crime of a prostitute who offers sexual activities and interfaced with in police and neighborhood organizations. In 1981, the Chamber moved its annual outing to Mackinac. From an original group who enjoyed cruising on nearby waters, it was interesting to watch the attendance as the location and venue changed. I have attended all the conferences on the island since and continue to see how belonging provides many positive influences. Various members and Chamber staff offer helpful advice and create an atmosphere of information, motivation and cooperation. I look forward to attending my 58th meeting in May and I hope to see you there. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bob Cook is a partner at Unique Enterprises in Northville. The Board used the cover of the Detroiter to remind its members that the 1947 Community Chest Campaign--also known as the Red Feather Campaign--needed their help to make its quota. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the war over, the Board turned its attention to promoting Victory Loans as a "thank you" to returning veterans. The Board and its members raised more than half of Wayne County's entire Victory Loan total. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] William A. Mara of the Bendix Aviation The Bendix Aviation Corporation, a manufacturer of aircraft parts, was started by inventor Vincent Bendix in 1929 as a continuation of his auto parts company. It was renamed to the Bendix Corporation in 1960, then acquired by the Allied Corporation (later Allied Signal) in 1983, Co. was chairman of the Board's Aviation Committee. Under his leadership, the Board successfully fought the War Department's decision to abandon Selfridge Field near Mount Clemens Mount Clemens (klĕm`ənz), city (1990 pop. 18,405), seat of Macomb co., NE of Detroit, SE Mich., on the Clinton River; settled c.1798, inc. as a city 1879. The city is known for its mineral waters. . [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Viva Mexico The Board's top two officers went to Mexico City Mexico City Spanish Ciudad de México City (pop., 2000: city, 8,605,239; 2003 metro. area est., 18,660,000), capital of Mexico. Located at an elevation of 7,350 ft (2,240 m), it is officially coterminous with the Federal District, which occupies 571 sq mi in 1947 to discuss trade opportunities. Executive Vice President Harvey Campbell (front left) and President Sherwin Hill (front right) joined two officers of the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce at a farewell luncheon. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guiding Force Family Affair Membership in the Board was a family affair for Thomas B. Moore, president of the Detroit Ball Bearing Co. of Michigan, who enrolled all four of his sons in 1953. Said Moore, "Membership in the Board carries with it the opportunity for service." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Glenford Shibley of Roseville received the first $1,000 Harvey Campbell Scholarship in Business Communications at Wayne University (now Wayne State University Wayne State University, at Detroit, Mich.; state supported; coeducational; established 1956 as a successor to Wayne Univ. (formed 1934 by a merger of five city colleges). ) in 1951 from Harvey Campbell, the Board's executive vice president. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Happy Birthday, Detroit Officers of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce presented a gavel gavel small mallet used by judge or presiding officer to signal order. [Western Culture: Misc.] See : Authority and plaque to officers of the Board in 1951 in honor of Detroit's 250th birthday. The gavel was made of wood from the old French pear pear, name for a fruit tree of the genus Pyrus of the family Rosaceae (rose family) and for its fruit, a pome. The common pear (P. communis) is one of the earliest cultivated of fruit trees, both in its native W Asia and in Europe. trees first brought to this area by the original French settlers in 1701. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The mission of the Board in 1950 wasn't substantially different from what it is today. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Detroiter's Golden Anniversary issue detailed the accomplishments of a half century. The Board used this logo during its Golden Anniversary in 1953. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Far East Adventure This Board delegation visited Formosa in 1953. Time Line: 1944-1953 1944: D-Day invasion 1945: Germany, Japan surrender 1946: Truman seizes railroads 1947: Marshall Plan unveiled 1948: Gandhi assassinated 1949: NATO pact signed 1950: Korean War begins 1951: UNIVAC first demonstrated 1952: Eisenhower elected 34th president 1953: Salk polio vaccine announced |
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