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Today is Monday - May 12, 2008
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The Founding / Formation of AmCham
By Angel J.S. Solis
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (ACCPI) was
incorporated on July 3, 1920, "twenty-two years, two months and two days after
Admiral Dewey broke down Spanish power and the work of putting the Filipino people
on th maps of the world had commenced."
Early Years
The first president, Captain H.L. Heath, was a planter, rancher, hemp merchant who
had participated in the U.S. Army’s first Philippine expedition as a member of the
2nd Oregon regiment. "Vigorous, straightforward, never knowing defeat, Captain Heath
was the logical American to lead the American Chamber of Commerce through its early
years of struggle," wrote H. Edmund Bellis, editor and business manager of the ACCP
Journal in its maiden issue of June 1921.
Along with Capt. Heath, the incorporators included Wm. H. Anderson. F.A. Leas, J.S.
Reis (Reese), C.M. Cotterman, H.B. Pond, P.G. Eastwick, B.A. Green, R.C. Morton,
Walter E. Olsen, B.M. McCrory, Carlos Young, J.R. Wilson, F.N. Berry and R.E.
Murphy.
Role and Policy
Shorthly after incorporation, Capt. Heath made the following statement, which spelled
the ACCPI’s role and policy for nearly two decades, thus:
"... organized with a larger membership and a greater capital than any other American
Chamber outside the homeland… it represents every phase of American business and
interest in the Philippines and is taking the place of a legation to the citizens of
the United States residing in the Philippine territory, irrespective of whether they
are members of the organization or not.
"It proposes to be heard on every subject affecting the business or political life of
the community. It proposes in all matters: first, to suggest a remedy; second, to ask
for its application; third, to demand its application; and fourth, to fight for its
application, if no other processes are not successful."
C.M. Cotterman succeeded Capt. Heath in 1922 and held the post for two years. Capt.
Heath then took over once more and served as president for four more years. E.E. Elser
became acting president in 1924 during Capt. Heath’s temporary absence. From 1928, the
office of the president was held consecutively by R.E. Murphy, Geo. H. Fairchild, Paul
A. Meyer and H.M. Cavender.
Meyer’s Incumbency
The longest tenure of the presidency was that of Meyer, some eight years all told. Cavender
served as president for two years, 1933 and 1934.
This early, ACCPI became a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America
(COCUSA) and contributed to the fund that erected its building in Washington. It made legal
representation in Washington to obtain equity for Americans in the Philippines in their
obligations under the federal internal revenue act as it related to income taxes, but
representation in Washington was rather occasional than continuing.
A Trade Organization
When Paul A. Meyer became president in 1929, he gave emphasis to the business activities of the
chamber and gradualy drifted away from the political affairs. Meyer headed the chamber for two
periods of four years each (1929-1932 and 1935-1938), and was president more times than any of his
predecessors. In 1933-1934, H.M. Cavender held the presidency.
During Meyer’s administration and again under Cavender, the chamber functioned more as a trade
organization. It kept track of all national legislation affecting Philippine trade and industry
and, when occasions demanded, expressed its ideas on contemplated measures. In such cases, the
chamber advocated a course of action beneficial to the community at large and presented it to the
proper authorities.
Gaches’s Policy
Upon his inauguration as president in February 1939, Gaches instituted immediately a policy of
non-interference in political affairs and at the same time started a vigorous campaign to maintain
Philippine-American trade irrespective of what the future political relations between the two countries
might be. A successful and aggressive businessman, Gaches assumed "the positive and definite obligation
of building up the prestige of the chamber the better to defend and foster Philippine-American trade.
Walter J. Robb, pre-war editor the ACCP Journal, writing in 1939 said: "After 19 years and inevitable ups
and downs, the chamber functions in full vigor. Its repute with all communities fo the Philippines and its
cordial relations with the Commonwealth and the Philippine people were never more satisfactory than they
are now."
Upon his re-election for the third consecutive term in January 1941, Gaches reiterated that "... the
traditional policy of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines of cooperating with Philippine
merchants and the Commonwealth would be continued, the chamber dedicating its efforts to assist in every
way possible the closer economic relations between the United States and the Philippines."
Addressing the Manila Rotarians in one of their weekly luncheon meetings in August 1941, Gaches significantly
discussed the subject of Philippine-American cooperation, thus:
"We are fast approaching what appears to be the parting of ways. Since 1910 there has been free trade
existing between the Philippines and the greatest consuming country in the world, the United States of
America. This free trade has brought progress and prosperity to the Philippines, and the relationship... will
be the same as that of the ‘most favored nation’..."
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Copyright 2004-2005 The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. All rights reserved.
For general inquiries or comments, please e-mail info@amchamphilippines.com.
For website technical concerns, please e-mail webmaster@eccp.com.
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