New Britain Herald Newspaper, October 28, 1915, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A STRONG BODY 5 AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR OF EXISTENCE The first annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening in the quarters in the Sovereigns block, and what the at- tendance lacked in numbers it was made up by appreciation by the mem- bers who came out to listen to the gratifying reports of the work of this successful organization during the past yéar. President B. W. Christ presided end during his remarks relative to his annual report he spoke of the excel- lent attendance of the members of the various committees at their meet- ings but he admitted that he was non- plussed to explain why so . few at- tended such an important session as the annual meeting. ¥The meeting was delayed until nearly 8:30 o'clock with the expectancy that a number of the members who had signified their intentions of being present would arrive, but they came not, and when patience ceased to be a virtue, President Christ rapped his fst in lieu of a gavel and called the meeting to order. At the outset he spoke of the election of the board of djrectors and he appointed Albert An- derson and Paul Rogers as tellers to count the votes received through the mails. Secretary A. H. Andrews read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved. The report of the nominating com- — mittee, of which F. G. Platt is chafr- man was received and accepted. Secretary Andrews’ Report. Secretary A, H. Andrews submitted his annual report as follows: To the officers and members of the Chamber of Commerce: As President Christ, in his report will cover the activities of the Cham- ber during the past year and Treas- urer Halloran will cover the financial transactions, I will only submit for yoir consideration the membership report. Dues-paying membership October, 1914 Individual membership October, 1914 ' New members admitted during the year .. 492 the city of New Britain, and if we can aild in promoting such results, it ested in how many share In the glory, if there is any, nor how smali a part of it is credited to the Chamber of Commerce, “The directors and executive com- mittee of the Chamber have every desire to co-operate with all com- petent agencies in working out city problems and have never had any idea of going it alone, except to make preliminary investigations for the purpose of determining the feasibility of some projécts before getting in touch with the city officials, com- mon council committees, or other ac- tive agencies, which may have the in- terest of the city at heart. “Our relations with city officials have been very cordial and we hope to be able to work more closely with them and committees of the common council as time goes on. “The Chamber of Commerce, made up as it is of representatives of all elements of our city life, should have great influence in bringing about con- certed action on the part of all agen- cies to the end that nothing will be left undone in the working out of problems undertaken. First to Hdive Women Members. “The New Britain Chamber of Commerce is the first one in this state to have lady members actively engaged in the work of the Chamber. The active interest of our lady mem- bers and their work on committees has already been advantageous, and will be more so as the work enlarges. “No one can investigate the per- sonal of the directorate of the Cham- ber, and its civic and mercantile di- visions, together with committees which have been engaged in its work, without realizing the possibilities of a Chamber of Commerce in New Brit- ain. Organized in October, a year ago, employed a secretary in Novem- ber, and the civic and mercantiie bureaus were organized in Novem- ber and December, respectively; per- manent quarters were occupied in December, so that about the first of the year, we had a bare plant with which to start work. “Our secretary has been found io be loyal and painstaking in his ef- - Lol:t from membership: Or account of death ... 1 Relieved from obliga- tions ceve Membership recorded but never signed .... 2 Retired from business ..17 Total loss _ Dlues-paying membership October 1, 1915 ..... Individual membership October 1, 1915 ..... 569 There were on October 1, 1915, 110 members who had not up to that time paid their dues in full. Treasurer J. M. Halloran sub- mitted his annual report as follows: Receipts. Lampaign, $15.60; equipment, $16; | mercantile bureau, $56.83; July 4 . celebration, $845.60; dues, $7,231; ex- pense, $4.44; publication, $3.50; out- forts in behalf of the Chamber, and willing to serve it at all times regard- less of the office hours printed on the front door. New Industries, ‘“While not a principal object for which the chamber was organized, the executive committee has investigated carefully a number of industrial pros- pects. Most of them have been found unworthy of much attention. In this connection, it is our policy to say what we have done, rather than what we propose doing, and, for this reason, we feel that it is best not to make any further report at this time of one or two other investigations which are now being made along this line. It is, however, a pleasure to report that during our first year, we 'have been successful in securing for New Brit- ain another manufacturing industry, the Hartford Auto Parts company having decided to come to New Brit- ain from Hartford. “In order to secure this industry, it ing, $161.50; total, $8,333.47. Ex- penditures, $8,066.06; balance, $267-- 41. Of this $245.82 is in the July 4 fund and $21.59 in general fund. The campaign of organization cost $1,800.45 and organization $226- § bration $599.78, salaries $3,560.86, rent $515.63, and outing $187.65. President’s Report. President Christ's report was follows: . “Before making any detailed re- port of the activities of the Chamber f,Commerce, it perhaps will be well or me to say a few things about our ideas as to what we are striving for. “The Chamber of Commerce is not looking for glory. What we are after Is results which will be beneficial to T —— Are the ladies of New Britain interested in a special af- ternoon for ladies’ clubs or _parties, at the AETNA BOWLING ALLEYS TEL. 1112-2 as was necessary for us to provide a site and build a building, and it was thought best to organize a building company, under the laws of the state of Connecticut, to take care of this work. “This particular matter has been in the hands of the executive committee for many months, and it was brought to a successful issue by the officers of the chamber of commerce in the month of August, after other plans of the company had been found to be impracticable. “While it would be impossible in this report to thank all of those who alded in bringing this project to a suc- cessful issue, I wish to thank the manufacturers for their active interest and financial support, and particular- ly Charles F. Smith, president of Lan- ders, Frary & Clark, and Edward F. Hall, the latter being actively engaged with your president in raising the necessary funds. “It may be an item of interest to know that the sum of $40,000 was raised in less than forty-eight hours. ‘It has been stated in the past that the manufacturers of New Britain is all we ask, and*we are not inter- | TREAS. J. M. HALLORAN, \ | | SEC’Y. A. H. ANDREWS. were opposed to new concerns locat- ing here. Surely, the help that was glven by manufacturers in this par- ticular instance sould forever put a stop to any such talk. I am satisfied that, without the help of manufac- turers, it would have been impossible for the officers of the Chamber of Commerce to have secured The Hart- ford Auto Parts company for New Britain.” President Christ said work is pro- gressing rapidly, and has paid a tri- bute to the board of public works for the excellent service rendered in get- ting proper service. It would have been impossible to have made such progress without the aid of the board, he said. Transportation. Continuing. he said: “During the year, many matters pertaining to different phases of transportation have been taken up by the office of the chamber. I will not attempt to go into these matters 1n deall, but to enumerate briefly mat- ters taken up. “The bulletin beard at the local railroad station, was secured, showing the time when through trains were expected to reach the station. Pre- vious to this, when trains were late, it was difficul to determine Thow late they would probably be. “The name New Britain shown on the train boards at the South station, Boston, for the through trains. The office took this matter up and the name New Britain now appears. “Five improvements in the summer train schedule were secured, and on the winter schedule the train previ- ously leaving Hartford at 10:10 o’clock was changed to 10:30 o’clock leaving New Britain at 10:50 o’clock, making the accomodations much bet- ter for people who desire to travel be- tween New Britain end Bristol, also between Hartford and New Britain. “A late trolley car on West Main street, leaving the triangle at 12:07 p, m., was also secured. “The matter of the territory cov- ered by the local express delivery and pick-up service was gone over and a was not new schedule adopted by the Express company, which considerably enlarges the territory previously covered. “One of the matters which the chamber is now working on, is the se- curing of a shelter at the Berlin sta- tion, for New Britain passengers using the south bound trains. A conference will be 'held with the railroad officials on this matter within a few days ‘One of the selectmen of the town of Newington asked the co-operation of the New Britain chamber in regard to securing better protection at the Clayton crossing. The directors con- sidered this mater, and notified the selectman of Newington that they were heartily in accord with secur- ing a gateman or flagman at this crossing, and would lend whatever as- sistance they could to securing the improvement. “Considerable work has been done, and much information secured, pre- paratory to forming a transportation department, which will probably be done in the near future. Bureau Of Investigation. “At the suggestion of the directors of the civic bureau, a bureau of in- & New Britain, Conn. makes itching eczema vanish There is immediate relief for skins itching, burning and disfigured by ec- zema, ringworm, or similar tormenting skin disease, in a warm bath with Resinol Soap, and a simple application of Resinol pinrmen!. ‘The soothing, healing Res- inol balsams sink right into the skin, stop itching #nstantly, and soon clear away all trace of eruption, even in severe and stubborn cases. Resinol Ointmentand Resinol Soap are sold by all druggists. Prescribed by doctors for 20 years. vestigation, for the benefit of the en- ' tire membership of the Chamber, was installed. The purpose of this bureau is to investigate upon request, all applicants for cash or other dona- tions, and the solicitors making such applications, to determine if the ob- port. made, and in many cases, have been proven unworthy of support. “The Chamber is affiiliated with some organization in nearly every city of any size where information in re- gard to projects reported to be from any particular section can be investi- gated promptly. “Opinions obtained from business men by others than officers or em- ployes of the Chamber have been that a reduction in application for dona- tions has been at least fifty per cent. since this service was started. Vol- untary statements have been made by two large business houses that their dues have been saved in two months by this service rendered by the Cham- | ber. Manufacturers. “From time to time, bulletins have been sent out to manufacturers, giv- ing special information which has come to the attention of the Cham- ber, through its affiliations and gov- ernment bureaus. Through its affilia- tion with the Chamber of Commerce of the U. 8. A, whose headquarters are in Washington, the Chamber is able to render a very important ser- vice to manufacturers and others who desire information in regard to vari- ous questions which can be secured in Washington. The national cham- ber is closely associated with all the departments of the federal govern- ment and has facilities for giving in- formation superior to those had by any other organization or service bu- reau. Special information on almost any subject can be secured promptly. “Some time ago, two or the large manufacturers brought to the atten- tion of the chamber, a difficulty in express service which one of their customers in the middle west was having in securing material from New Britain. As the manufacturer bring- ing this to our attention has a traf- fic department of his own, possibly he desired to test the ability of the chamber to investigate such matters. It was found that this customer has having difficulty in securing prompt express service from the large manu- facturing concerns in New Britain. In a short time, the chamber made a report te the customer and to the two New Britain manufacturers, show- ing the principal difficulty. An agreement was secured from the ex- press company for a change in hand- ling of these shipments which would remove considerable of the difficulty. Different routings were also suggest- ed, which would insure better service. “An exhibit of the department of foreign and domestic commerce of hardware sold in South American countries was held in the chamber of commerce rooms. An expert of the department was present to explain all matters in connection with the hard- ware trade in South America, and many turers, as well as those from sur- rounding towns and cities, visited the exhibit during the two days on which it was held. “It is probable that an Tndustrial or manufacturers bureau will be or- ganized early in the new year. Information Bureau. “During the year, a considerable amount of time has been devoted to the accumulating of material in perfecting an information bureau. Much information has already been accumulated and tabulated for the use of our members, and the public at large. Much special information for the use of committees has also been accumulated. “A library of federal and state re- ports, bulletins, census and other pub- lications has been collected, which we are rapidly adding to from week to week so that a large amount of valuable information is on file at all times for the use of those who desire it. “As T have already stated, our af- filiations are such that special in- formation can be secured from almost any locality at short mnotice and, should any member desire immediate information on an important matter and be willing to stand the expense of telephone or telegraph charges, al- most immediate service can be ren- dered. Outing. “On July 21, the chamber of com- merce held its first outing, which was successful and much enjoyed by those . would have been. jects and solicitors are worthy of sup- | Many investigations have been | | No accidents were reported and no of our New Britain manufac- | who attended. Owing to the unfavor- able weather conditions ° prevaling during the morning, followed by a severe storm at about the time when many were to start, the attendance was much smaller than it otherwise July Fourth Celebration. “Following out the excellent plan of previous years, inaugurated and con- ducted by the Business Men's associa- tion, the Chamber of Commerce took up the matter of a July Fourth cele- bration. It was felt that this should be broadened out, and a general com- mittee of five was appointed to which was added about twenty others to as- sist them in their work., The result was that the most satisfactory cele- bration ever conducted was held this vear. Conservative estimates place the attendance at Walnut Hill park on the evening of July 7, when the cele- bration was held, at 30,000 people. The celebration consisted of a dis- play of fireworks, and band concert. arrests made. This is a record which few cities have ever equalled. “The committee considered the mat- ter of conducting two band concerts at the same time but felt that more benefit would be given to the public if the second was held at some other time Another band concert was, therefore, held on July 14. The com- mittee in charge is deserving of great credit and the city of New Britain should be congratulated on having 80 many citizens willing to contribute to the success of such an occasion. ‘“The hearty and efficient co-opera- tion of the police and park depart- ment of the city made the success possible, Publicity. “The publicity committee was ap- pointed about the middle of the year and has been making a careful study of conditions. The monthly bulle- tins have been issued by the office in co-operation with the publicity com- mittee and, while up to the present these bulletins have consisted almost entirely of records of the work of the bureaus and committees, plans are be- ing considered whereby it i3 hoped that the bulletin will be able to fill the more important part in giving | publicity to New Britain and its busi- ness and other institutions. “The committee has issued a visi- tors Welcome card, inviting the visi- | tor to New Britain to make use of | statements of interesting facts con- | ‘BrltMn has been left off automobile | the question of bill-board signs, ad- cerning. These cards have been placed in the various hotels and with the traffic policemen, to be given out to those visiting the city The committee is now two publicity folders or circulars which it hopes to issue shortly. One of these folders will cover general in- formation in regard to the city and the other will deal particularly with the industries. “Many cases have been reported to the chamber, where the name of New preparing maps. The publicity committee has taken this question up, and secured agreements with the makers of these maps to include New Britain in the future, “The question of the lack of proper | street signs, showing the name New Britain on main thoroughfares and trunk lines outside the city lines, has been brought to the attention of the | committee and this question is now | being investigated with the Iidea of | having this undesirable condition | changed. “The committee is also considering vertising New Britain. Individual Service, “Special information is being given out daily to members of the chambers, who are continually asking for infor- mation of various kinds. ““The rooms are so visited daily by strangers to the city for general in- formation in regard to business and other questions Use of Rooms, “When the -chamber of commerce quarters were established, information was given tkrough the press that the chamber would be pleased to have its rooms used by all organizations for committee meetings, business confer- ences, etc. The rooms have been used by organizations and committees, not directly a part of the chamber of commerce, fifty-two times during the last year. Legislature, ‘Barly in the year, during the ses- sion of the state legislature, the office attempted to keep officers and mem- bers of the chamber, and the citizens of New Britain informed in regard to legislative matters of interest to them but a great deal of difficulty was en- countered because of the fact that legislative bills, petitions and resolu- tions are not printed until after they are acted favorable upon by commit- tee, This plan results in little oppor- tunity to be hear for or aganist the enactment of legislation. “The first notice of one bill.in par- ticular, which was of interest to New Britain people, was received in the | legislative bulletin at 9 a. m. The | committee hearing on that bill has set | for 2 p. m. of the same day. It was, therefore, impossible for the chamber to take any action whatsoever, the | directors of the chamber, therefore, | presented a resolution to the Connect- icut chamber of commerce, which asked for support of the state cham- ber in urging the passing of a bill which will require the printing for free distribution of all bills, petitions | etc., Intrdouced into the state legisla- ture in sufficient time before the com- | mittee hearings to inform those who | desire to be heard. This resolution | was unanimously adopted at the an- | nual meeting of the Connecticut cham- ber in Windsor, on October 21. Affiliations. in the year, the Carly directors | ularly said nary ! chamber of commerce, and the ber of the U. 8. A. These ami w own chamber and ve belleve, are of great benefit its memb; Urges Campalign, “An examination of the tre but should be rem 1eport will show that we have | hard pressed for funds during month or so of the year, connection it that there have been a number penses incurred during the fi which will not have to be paid notably organization expenses, chase of office equipment, ete. ‘In speaking about funds, th To Study Government. just a word I want to say about] that is, that we might well in the whole question of dues to mine wheher it would not be allow owners of small stores, those in outlying distrig become affillated with the cham commerce on the payment of dues of, say $6 Instead of $12 o as is now the case. An active paign should also be carried have a large number of cl are not actively engaged in n their own businesses, become m of the chamber of commerce annual due of five dollars, pi for such cases.” At the conclusion of the rep that members About Moving Factory. M. H. Camp asked of the p if any move had been made Chamber to keep the Waterbu company in this city. President Christ outlined at the policy of the company in in this city at the beginning. that Mr. Hoadley, the head of # cern, was & Waterbury man who to this city dally and it was his that it was the officials’ intent concentrate their activities in a nearer its home, first located herg in the New Machine company’s plant it the intent of furthering its pi Since then the co has received large war orders & the nature of its line of work also purchased more land in Lury, and the speaker doubtful if any restraint brought upon it to remain here. | Chamber, however, is thorougl vestigating the matter. ,“Would the same Hartford Auto Parts company an effect toward keeping the o | in this city " asked one member. ‘When the work. “I think not,” answered the Directors Chosen. The tellers reported the el dent. voted to affiliate with the Connecticut | meeting then adjourned. Don’t Forget! Coffee contains the drug, caffeine—about 21/ grains to the cup. Some people use coffee for years and either forget or don’t know that caffeine is a cumulative poison, working away in the system, insidiously undermining and destroying health. Some of the signs are headache, sleeplessness, biliousness, kidney and liver troubles. heart flutter, and various stomach, Of course, if one prefers his coffee, and is will- ing to put up with these ‘“‘comforters,” why—keep right on! But, if one values health and real comfort, and at the same time would en- joy a delicious, wholesome beverage, the thing to do is to quit coffee and use POSTUM —the pure food-drink Made of wheat with a bit of wholesome molasses, this delightful beverage is wholly free from coffee or caffeine or any other harmful substance, but rich in the health-building goodness of the grain. Good for old and young. Ten days’ trial—a little thing to do—is convincing. “There’s a Reason” for POSTUM‘ President Christ, a few moment spent by the speaker outlining | of the plans for the coming one of the imj features would be the study conduct of thé municipal The speaker, however, assured teners that no criticism was to H tertained by the Chamber of the manner in wi present city fathers had the business of the last year, was the purpose of further ing themselves with the city's of conducting its business | times offering suggestions that be beneficial, 1 w. J, sald it could offer made the following directors to serve | the coming three years: land, Rev. H. W. Maler, E. N G. W. Traut and J. B, Minor.