Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America.

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1953
Active 1963

Biographical notes:

The Chamber of Commerce of the United States traces its origins to an April 22, 1912, conference of commercial and trade organizations called by President William Howard Taft. The idea was to create an organization that could represent the interests of the business community in Washington. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America held its first annual meeting on January 21, 1913.

During the First World War the Chamber organized more than 400 War Service Committees to assist the Council of National Defense which worked closely with the War Industries Boards. However, after the Armistice was signed the Chamber began to lobby Congress to lift wartime restrictions on business. During the post war strike wave, the Chamber of Commerce took a relatively moderate position on collective bargaining, as it supported the right of workers to join labor organizations.

The 1920s were years of growth for the Chamber of Commerce with membership exceeding 16,000 business organizations by 1929. During these years the organization worked closely with Herbert Hoover and his Department of Commerce in order to set up a system of voluntary codes of fair competition. The Chamber also became an active supporter of the employee representation plans that flourished during this decade. In 1926, the Chamber built its present headquarters building on Avenue H in Washington, D.C. This building was designed by the prominent architect Cass Gilbert.

After the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt the Chamber became an active critic of the New Deal which was redefining the relationship between business and the state. However, once World War II was declared, its leaders worked closely with the administration as it accepted government regulation of business as part of its support of the war effort. During the 1950s and 60s it organized increasingly active political action programs designed to represent the business community in Washington.

From the description of Records 1912-1980. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122292399

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Subjects:

  • Business and politics
  • Business and state
  • Businessmen
  • Collective labor agreements
  • Commercial associations
  • Commercial policy
  • Economic policy
  • Employee rights
  • Employers' associations
  • Foreign trade promotion
  • Government insurance
  • Industrial management
  • Industrial policy
  • Industrial relations
  • Industrial safety
  • Internal security
  • Loyalty oaths
  • Management rights
  • Newsletters
  • Open and closed shop
  • Personnel management
  • Security clearances
  • Trade associations
  • Trade associations
  • World War, 1939-1945
  • World War, 1939-1945

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)

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