"As already been stated in the Boundary Creek Times, the fifth congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire will be held in Montreal between the 17th and 20th of August. Other years this convention was held in London, but it was decided to hold the meetings in Montreal this year in order to give the business men of Great Britain a favorable opportunity to study the resources of the most important colony in the empire. After the congress the delegates will tour through the country and will reach Greenwood about September 14th. Mr. Geo. Hadrill, secretary of the Montreal Board of Trade, who is also secretary of the committee appointed to look after the comforts of the visitors and arrange their itinerary, has written the secretary of the Greenwood Board of Trade. He says in part:

"As you are probably aware the Fifth Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire will be held in Montreal between the 17th and 20th of August. From advices received to date it is probable that at least two hundred delegates from Great Britain and her colonies (apart from Canada) will be present at this gathering. The Canadian committee of arrangements has prepared a list of tours in order to enable the visitors to traverse Canada. Naturally they depend upon the local Board of Trade, at the points visited, for advice and assistance in rendering the journey profitable and agreeable.

"If present plans can be carried out the party, travelling in two sections of about fifty each, would reach Greenwood by special from Rossland. Should your Board find it possible to extend any courtesies to the visitors during their short stay in Greenwood it would be highly appreciated."

The local board and city council will co-operate in showing the visitors every courtesy in their power."

More details on the proposed event itinerary were published on July 3rd_[3]:

Chambers of Commerce
Official Programme of Visit to the Boundary

"Geo. Hadrill, Montreal, secretary of the Canadian committee of arrangements for the itinerary through Canada of the members of the fifth congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire has sent secretary Jacobs of the Greenwood Board of Trade an official program of the Canadian tour. In his letter Mr. Hadrill states that this programme will be revised on August 15th, but only in minor details, and the tour will be practically as outlined in the official programme.

In so far as the trip to the Boundary is concerned the programme follows: Monday, Sept. 14th, breakfast on boat. Leave Robson by special train at 8:00 a. m. Arrive Grand Forks at 11 a. m. Visit to smelter of the Granby company. Luncheon. Leave Grand Forks at 1:30 p. m., arrive at Phoenix at 3:15 p. m. Supper at 6:30 p. m. Leave Phoenix at 8:00 p. m., arrive at Greenwood at 9:00 p. m.

Tuesday 15th — Morning in Greenwood. The Greenwood Board of Trade will convey delegates to mines, smelters and other points of interest. Luncheon at Greenwood. Leave Greenwood by regular train at 3:20 p. m. The second party will come on the day following. The Greenwood Board will send representatives to meet the visitors at Robson and accompany them through the Boundary. Mr. Ames, a member of the committee will be in Greenwood about the end of July and will make further arrangements with the Board of Trade."

This report from July 10th_[4] gives us a glimpse of how involved the entire city of Greenwood became in the event:

"Efforts have been put forth by the Board to induce parties of prominent people arranging to visit British Columbia to include Greenwood in their itinerary. The services of influential gentlemen in New York were kindly promised to endeavour to persuade the committee of the American Institute of Mining Engineers to arrange for their members visiting Greenwood, and this with good prospects of success until unexpected difficulties in making suitable arrangements for transportation led to the abandonment of the projected trip to this Province. …

Delegates from the Board attended a meeting to organize an Athletic Association for Greenwood and gave this movement their cordial support. As an outcome of this the Board appointed a committee to try to induce merchants to close their stores early, so that those employed in them might have opportunity to take part in outdoor pastimes, and this committee still has this matter in hand.

In this connection it may be mentioned that the Board received a representative of the Greenwood Miners' Union, whose request that the members give their moral support towards making August 19th, the Miner's Union Celebration Day, a successful holiday, was readily acceded to. The Board hopes the Miners' Union will yet respond to its request, proferred some time since, that some of the members of the Union be delegated to become members of the Board and represent the Union at the Board's meetings, so that they may assist in promoting the welfare and progress of the city and district."

News of this grand event was also being followed in surrounding towns and camps. The Grand Forks Times on July 14th_[5] reported on the Phoenix Board of Trade's participation, saying that a itinerary had also been provided to Secretary Willcox of Phoenix BOT. As we'll see in later reports, Phoenix was a primary destination for the Empire Chamber tour delegates.

In mid-July, the Greenwood Board of Trade continued to work on the event_[6]:

"Included in business to have the attention of the Greenwood Board of Trade at its regular meeting next Wednesday afternoon will be the appointment of delegates to represent the board at the Fifth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, to be held in Montreal next month."

The Grand Forks Times also reported on July 21st_[7], as part of its City Council report, that the Mayor had received an official program from the Committee of Arrangements, and a discussion was raised before Council. Members of Council, the Grand Forks Board of Trade and citizens in general were encouraged to provide funds for "suitable entertainment of the distinguished guests".

Likewise, the residents of Phoenix were very focused on the event, and several reports were published in the Phoenix Pioneer and Boundary Mining Journal_[8].

By end of July, Grand Forks continued its preparations, as they prepared to receive Herbert B. Ames, the advance agent of the British commercial party, who was making a tour through the Boundary to ensure all preparations were being made._[9] Mr. Ames was the senior partner of the Ames-Holden Co., of Montreal. On August 8th, the Phoenix Pioneer reported_[10] that A. J. McMillan, managing director of the Snowshoe and LeRoi mines, had cabled from London that he would be returning to the Boundary later than expected, and would miss the event.

While the announcement of advance planning efforts are interesting, the most important reports were two appearing in local papers immediately after the event. Although both are lengthy, they give us fascinating details of the Empire Chamber delegation's travels to Greenwood, Phoenix and surrounding sites. First is this review in the Boundary Creek Times on September 18th_[11]:

COMMERCE DELEGATES
Visitors See Mines and Smelters
WILL RESULT IN GREAT GOOD
Much Impressed With Gold and Silver Bearing Quartz

"Greenwood has been honoured this week by a visit from the most representative body of British Empire commercial interests that has ever visited British Columbia. Over 100 of the delegates to the meeting of the Empire Chamber of Commerce recently convened at Montreal, spent Tuesday and Wednesday in the city.

A committee from the Board of Trade met the visitors at Phoenix and escorted them to Greenwood. A special train had been arranged for to carry the guests to the Mother Lode mine and local smelters, while carriages conveyed them to some of the newer mines, notably the Elkhorn and Providence.

With true British instinct the Visitors showed far more interest in gold than copper, and though scarcely moved by great mountains of copper ore, were visibly affected by the sight of quartz having gold, and silver-bearing quartz, particularly the former.

From the great commercial centres, from the great seaports, from the manufacturing cities of the Empire they came, and with the business acumen of men of large interests strove to learn something of the ways, the hopes, the resources of this new corner of a great Empire.

London and Liverpool, Manchester and Montreal, Portsmouth, and Plymouth, Bradford and Brisbal, Belfast and Blackpurn, Shieffield and Swansea, Walverhampton and Wisbeck, Canterbury and Cardiff, Leads and Lorton, Huddensfield and Heckmoudith, Nottingham and Newport, Dover and Dudley, Torquay and Trinidad, each had their representatives in Greenwood. The men from Edinburgh and Galashiels were greeted by many local Scots and not a few glasses were drained over the discovery of mutual acquaintances 'at home'. Several Americans happened to be in town at the time and the Board of Trade register bears the signature of men from New York, Toledo and Chicago.

The Board of Trade had assembled a representative collection of local ores in its room on Copper street, where the Secretary endeavored to explain the resources of the neighborhood. There were to be seen great samples of copper ore from the Mother Lode, Sunset, King Solomon, Big Copper, Morrison and Oro Denoro; massive specimens of run of the mine from the Elkhorn Providence. Defience, Waterloo, Crescent running in values from $100 to $1000 to the ton; with free gold samples from the Providence, Gold Finch and E. P. U. One rare specimen of telluride worth $3000 to the ton, taken from the E. P. U. attracted much attention.

The visitors were very kindly entertained at the Club and spoke in the highest terms of their reception in the camp. The weather was perfect and the bright sunshine and fresh crisp air were fully enjoyed.

Most of the visitor were extremely non-committal and appeared to be apprehensive that somebody would try to unload a gold brick on them. Frequent references could be heard to Whittaker Wright and the unhappy light in which he placed British Columbia before the British investor. This however only gave the party addressed the opportunity to explain that if British manipulators had mulcted their friends, British Columbia was in no sense to blame. Taken all in all the visit was a timely one and cannot be otherwise than productive of great good ultimately to the Boundary."

And finally, we have this post-event report, published in the Phoenix Pioneer on September 19th_[12]:

BRITISHERS WERE PLEASED
Over 160 Tourists Saw the Big Phoenix Mines

WERE CHAMBER COMMERCE DELEGATES
Came Is Two Parties, Last Monday and Tuesday, and Struggled to Realize the Vastness of the Ore Bodies In this Camp

"By common consent the tourists that were in Phoenix last Monday and Tuesday stated that one of the most interesting points they had visited on their trip across the Dominion had been the mines of Phoenix. There were close to 125 members in the two parties, the larger part arriving the first day. They were met at Grand Forks by Mayor Rumberger and Secretary Willcox, of the Board of Trade, and escorted to Phoenix. After looking over the smelter at Grand Forks, where four of the six furnaces were at work, as well as the two converters, they came by special train to Phoenix. Stops were made at the Oro Denoro and Snowshoe mines, to enable them to take a look at those promising properties, and then the train was run up on the Knob Hill spur as far as possible.

A. C. Flumerfelt, one of the officials of the Granby Co., accompanied the party and showed them over and through the Knob Hill and Old Ironsides mines. Following that they took supper at the Granby hotel, going to Greenwood that night and thence to Nelson and back east. The second party went over the same ground Tuesday, and had Wm. Yolen Williams, the superintendent of the Granby mines, to escort them through the properties. The first party was in charge of H. J. Hodgson, of Montreal, chairman of the Canadian Committee of Arrangements, while George Hadrill, of Montreal, took charge of the second party, an official of the C. P. R. from the east also being with each party to look after their comfort.

Some very prominent people were included in the personnel of the visitors, who had been shown courtesies at every point in the Dominion where they had stopped. The trip was taken immediately following the fifth congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, which brought them all to Montreal. At the dinner the first evening Mayor Rumberger presided and after a short address, heartily welcoming the visitors, introduced F. W. Bentley, a prominent resident of Huddersfield, England, who spoke appreciatively of the courtesies that had been extended to the members of the party while in the Boundary, and also of the vast resources in a mining way which they had seen that day in Phoenix. Mr. Flumerfelt responded to this address, and gave the tourists some idea of what had been done by the Granby Co. in the past, both here and at Grand Forks.

At the dinner the second evening, in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Secretary Wilcox presided, and introduced several interesting speakers after justice had been done to the viands prepared in such splendid shape by Mine Host Macy S. W. Royse, representing the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and who is said to be a close personal friend of Joseph Chamberlain, was the first speaker, being followed with interesting talks by George Cawley, a consulting engineer of London, and Henry Durler, of Luton, England, all of whom were only too pleased to express the pleasure they had had in visiting the great mines of the Boundary,

Then Wm. Yolen Williams, the superintendent of the Granby mines, was called upon and gave the visitors one of the most instructive and interesting talks of the evening, leaving them convinced that they had that day seen one of the greatest copper mines in the known world."

Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire
Background and History

In order to understand the historical importance of the Empire Chamber delegation's visit to Greenwood and the Boundary, we should consider some of the history of this early Chamber body and its place in the world.

The Congress held its very first meeting in London in 1886. The 2nd Congress in 1892, the 3rd in 1896, and the 4th in 1900, were also held in London. The 5th Congress, which sent delegates to Greenwood, was the first to leave the continent and come west.

Some of the later meetings of the Congress followed suit. While the 6th was in London in 1906, the 7th was in Sydney, Australia in 1901; the 8th back in London in 1912; and but 9th was again in Canada, meeting in Toronto in 1920.

The purpose of the Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire was to promote trade among members of the Empire nations, but of equal if not greater importance, it was for the purpose of encouraging financial and other support for the defense of the Empire.

The Empire Chambers took up many areas of business, such as implementing uniform labour practices and training, bankruptcy laws and other policies that were enforceable across the Empire. The members of this body were all men of influence, and the group itself was very powerful, indeed.

Here in Canada, the fifth Congress was held in Montreal, where Canada's oldest Board of Trade was instituted. The Montreal Board of Trade came into existence in 1843, but its history goes back even further. It was initially known as the Committee of Trade, established in 1822. The Chambre de commerce du district de Montréal was established in 1887. In fact, many of the early Boards of Trade eventually became Chambers of Commerce. Today, Greenwood's Board of Trade is one of the oldest remaining BOTs in Canada. The Montreal Board of Trade chiefly represented English-speaking business interests, while the Chambre de commerce du district de Montréal was later formed to represent the French-speaking business community.

The Vancouver Board of Trade was also intent on taking advantage of the 1903 Congress of Chambers_[13]:

"At its December 3 meeting the Board decided to seek affiliation with the Dominion Board of Trade, "which body proposed holding a convention of representatives of affiliated boards in 1902, when the question of a policy of preferential trade between Great Britain and the colonies will be discussed." (In September of 1902 the Board would heartily agree to take part in that convention, now to be called a congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire. It was scheduled for September, 1903 in Montreal … "at the same time noting that the day was not far distant when Vancouver must be recognized as the most central and fitting place for such a convention.")"

A very detailed history of the Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire (CCCE) is found in a paper entitled "The Politics of Commerce" by Andrew Dilley_[14], which describes the 1903 Congress in Canada:

"From 1903, the Congress began alternating between London and an overseas dominion. Although this development ran with the grain of dominion aspirations to express autonomy within the empire, it reflected the desire to advertise the trade and investment opportunities that each dominion offered to exploit the networking and advertising potential of the concentration of a large number of businessmen representing the commercial cities of the empire in one place. This aspiration clearly underlay Montreal's invitation of the Congress to Canada in 1903. The shift was initiated by the Montreal Board of Trade with the support of a grant from the Canadian government. As the Canadian finance minister, W. S. Fielding, observed, "the occasion is an important one and we ought to do the thing decently." …

Great efforts were made to present the delegates with a positive and comprehensive overview of Canadian resources. They enjoyed free rail and steamship passage across the dominion, joined organized tours of the Maritimes and the West, and received complementary copies of the Handbook of Canada and Statistical Yearbook of the Dominion. The Montreal Board of Trade also produced lantern slides for the London Chamber of Commerce to distribute in Britain."

Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire
in Montreal, 1903:

The 1903 Congress was convened in Montreal at the historic Windsor Hotel. There, several hundred business leaders met from August 17th to August 21st, after which approximately 200 delegates traveled west, to Greenwood and the Boundary.

The Fifth Congress, assembled at the Windsor Hotel, Montreal
[ Photo: Wm. Notman & Son, August 1903 — McCord Museum of Canadian History, Montreal ]

The Windsor Hotel itself holds a great place in Canadian history._[15] It became an established meeting place, enticing prominent businesses like Henry Birks & Sons, Morgan's, and Oglivy's to leave their quarters in the financial district of St. Jacques Street, and take up new premises nearby the famed Windsor.

The official proceedings of the fifth congress of the CCCE were published,_[16] containing a list of the honorary officers, organizing committee, Canadian Committee of Arrangements, participating associations and their delegates, and a full report of the proceedings at the business meetings and banquet.

The opening address of the fifth Congress, taken from the official report, makes clear the important role the Montreal Board of Trade had in organizing the conclave. We note that the Bank of Montreal had a branch open in Greenwood in 1903. There were also branches open in New Denver, Nelson, Rossland and Vernon.

THE FIFTH CONGRESS OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF THE EMPIRE HELD IN MONTREAL, CANADA AUGUST 17th, i8th, 19th, 20th and 21st, 1903

"THE FIFTH CONGRESS of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, convened by the London Chamber of Commerce (incorporated) was, by invitation of the Montreal Board of Trade, held in Montreal, Canada, commencing Monday, August 17th, and continuing Tuesday, August 18th, Wednesday, August 19th, Thursday, August 20th, and Friday, August 21st, 1903.

On the evening of Monday, August I7th, a reception was tendered to the delegates by the Montreal Board of Trade in its new Building, one of the finest buildings devoted to commercial purposes on the American continent, the occasion being availed of for its inauguration, which ceremony was performed by the Right Honourable Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal.

On the evening of Thursday, August 20th, the Banquet tendered to the delegates by the Montreal Board of Trade was held in the Windsor Hotel, and was the most representative gathering of a similar kind ever seen in Canada. The meetings of the Congress were held in the Windsor Hall, and were presided over by The Right Honourable Lord Braesey, K.C.B., president of the Fifth Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire. The Right Honourable Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, G.C.M.Q., Honorary President of the Congress, delivered the opening address. Appended is a full report of the proceedings of the Fifth Congress."

Another interesting commentary on the great fifth Congress is found in the writings of Mary Baker McQuesten_[17-18], a prolific writer on social and political happenings in Victorian Canada. In private correspondence about the event, she pinpoints the heart of the politic, and an interesting social aspect:

"The Montreal Herald in August 1903 devoted the paper to pictures, biographies, and speeches during the Congress. Lord Strathcona's resolution was adopted by Congress to "strengthen relations" and to "give a substantial advantage" to the trading partners of "the union of the various parts of His Majesty's dominion, based on mutual benefit."

There were 500 delegates and a gallery for spectators. An article, possibly by Calvin — "Glimpse of the Traders' Congress" — notes that "the gallery was filled almost entirely with women… the fair visitors," accorded the rival speakers of a courteous hearing, and applauded vigorously during a debate on the "fiscal policy of the Empire" (20 August 1903).

Commemorative Medallion of Fifth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire

A beautiful commemorative medal was produced in honour of this grand event. On the obverse (face) is this message: "To Commemorate the Fifth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, Montreal, August 17th to 20th, 1903", with an image of the British Coat of arms at centre

On the reverse side is a view of Montreal Harbour at top centre, and the building at lower centre — "Board of Trade Building, Inaugurated Aug. 1903.

The coins, in bronze at 57mm, 74.9gr., can occasionally be found at numismatic auctions, where they bring $100 to $125 USD._[19]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Boundary Creek Times — Jun 12, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170852

[2] Boundary Creek Times — May 22, 1903, p. 6
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171125

[3] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 3, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170889

[4] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 10, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170934

[5] Grand Forks Times — Jul 14, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xgrandforks/items/1.0341539

[6] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 17, 1903, p. 6
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170887

[7] Grand Forks Times — Jul 21, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xgrandforks/items/1.0341602

[8] The Phoenix Pioneer and Boundary Mining Journal — Jul 25, 1903, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xphoenix/items/1.0185716

[9] Grand Forks Evening Sun — Jul 31, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xgrandforks/items/1.0341596

[10] The Phoenix Pioneer and Boundary Mining Journal — Aug 08, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xphoenix/items/1.0185152

[11] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 18, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170731

[12] The Phoenix Pioneer and Boundary Mining Journal — Sep 19, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xphoenix/items/1.0186612

[13] The History of Metropolitan Vancouver — Vancouver Board of Trade
http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/biz_1901.htm

[14] The Politics of Commerce: The Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, 1886-1914 by Andrew Dilley (citations excluded)
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2158244013510304

[15] History of the Windsor Hotel, Montreal
https://lewindsormontreal.com/en/about-us

[16] Proceedings of the Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire (5th: 1903, Montréal, Quebec)
https://archive.org/details/cihm_84910

[17] The Life Writings of Mary Baker McQuesten: Victorian Matriarch, edited by Mary J. Anderson
https://tinyurl.com/n28bey4

[18] Mary Baker McQuesten — Whitehorn Museum Archives
http://www.whitehern.ca/c_maryba.php

[19] Commemorative Coin - Numismatic and Auction Catalogs:
http://www.moorecoins.com/Montreal-1903_i19826604
http://www.torontocoinexpo.ca/documents/geoffrey_bell_auctions_sale_9_session_2.pdf
http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/20838-montreal-1903-birks-medal/

Some historical news reports edited slightly for readability.

FURTHER READING:

Mammon and the Pursuit of Empire: The Political Economy of British Imperialism, 1860-1912 by Lance Edwin Davis, Robert A. Huttenback
https://tinyurl.com/kmyh92o