Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, January 1, 1916, Page 28

Heads FRANK J. KING Norwich Twelve months that opened last January with promise of Zo0d things businesswise for Eastern Connecticut have justified the hope that was then expressed. One and all the heads of the merchants’ organizations who review the year, speak with an c spirit both of the year that has passed and of the period upon which the cities of this section of the state are just entering. NEW ERA PROMISED FOR NORWICH. Brighter Prospect Tan For Many Years—Enlargement of New Arms Company Initiates Intense Activity in All Lines of Business. s The arriving New Year finds a brighter prospect in Norwich than for many years and-intense activity is being initiated in all lines of business, particularly that of home building. While the earlier months of the past year were void of en- couragement for our business interests, the needed remedy came about in the later months when the new arms company began preparations to handle their foreign contract. From. every in- dication a really great industry will soon send its busy hum down our thoroughfares and thousands of wage-earners traverse our streets, support our business enterprises, and lend a new life and interest to the community. Not many things of interest can be recalled at this time of the old year in a business way but we cannot fail to note the loss of many of our honored members who have stepped out of the ranks by the wayside, laid down their cares and passed to their reward. Mr. Waterman R. Burnham, known far and wide for his Christian character, a kindly and loving attitude toward all man- kind, actively interested in- banking and business affairs till within a few weeks of his death, who had endeared himself to all who knew him and whose interest in our Board of Trade never wavered, was a loss that was felt throughout our city and a dis- tinet loss from our membership. Hon. Charles F. Thayer, a citizen to whom this city owes many of its permanent improvements, whose aggressive efforts while mayor for many years (having succeeded himself to that office more than any citizen within cur memory), caused him to be known throughout our own state and elsewhere as a mayor of accomplishment and yet whose integrity never was questioned, was a most severe loss to us all. George F. Hughes, senior member of the Reid & Hughes company and a member of our Board of Trade from its inception whose intense interest’in evervthing that pertained to the up- building and the welfare of Norwich was evident on every occa- sion’ where enterprise and help was needed, while not a resident of the city was nevertheless a factor for great good, and when he retired to his rest our citizens felt a sense of personal loss. ‘Dr: Rush W. Kimball, honored for his upright character as a physician, a tender regard for sufferers who came under his care, and for an exceptional efficiency in his profession, whose death touched many homes and many lives, has left a vacancy in our membership and we mourn his loss. ‘These with many more add to our loss through death and ‘we realize what their lives have meant to us, what their sacri- fices for city welfare have been and accept the lesson as an admonition to follow in their footsteps as best we may. The Norwich Board of Trade has been active in its several lines of effort during the past year and while the different com- mittees have fiot rushed into print with every accomplishment they nevertheless have consistently worked and accomplished for city progress. ‘The crowning feature of our work was the prevention of the separation of the town of Norwich which was handled through the Board of Trade where the matter was first taken up and M pushed to a satisfactory conclusion, the interest evi- dent throughout the citizenship being amply shown when a special train was filled for the trip to Hartford. The securing of the new pumping engine, first taken up in our board meetings and earnestly advocated in city meeting, is a decidled addition and added protection through our fire depart- ment for property and lives within the city limits. It 1s not necessary to detail more here, suffice it to say that the Board of Trade, while the choice morsel of the grouch and the pessimist, is still attending strictly to business, listening to the fellow who knows it all yet who selfishly refuses consistently to lend his help and attacks all effort under proper auspices. ‘We shall continueduring the coming year with brighter pros- pects and greater encouragements to strive insistently for civic improvements and advancement along the lines laid down in the years gone by those whom we honor for their unselfish effort for this Beloved Rose of New England, and as it looks now I can see no reason why we should not have a population of 50,000 in five years. FRANK J. KING, President Norwich Board of Trade. MAKE 'CO-OPERATION NORWICH KEYNOTE. Coming Year Presents Varied Lines of Endeavor to Advance the Community to New Levels of Prosperity. Activities and accomplishments of the past year through the channels of the Chamber of Commerce for the mutual benefit of the people of Norwich are many. Among them may be pointed out: The final settlement of that unfortunate and expensive fight to keep Norwich united. Our success in organizing a building and lean association which will be of great assistance to many before another year rolls by. The farm bureau is of great importance to the farmers. It is for the general good. President Wilson and the governor of every state favors it. Every person should take active interest in the work. Through this department the farmer can place Connecticut on the map as self-sustaining. Instead of buying our farm, field and dairy products, poultry, swine, sheep and beef, let us become producers with the knowledge to be obtaimed through the farm bureau. Many men never know just what they are tryfng to do until they get half through and then discover that they have to. start all over and do it right. That is just what the farm bureau is to correct. Join tHe farm bureau and get results the first time. The Eastern Connecticut development committee is prosper- ous and through affiliation with the development committee, the chambers of commerce in Eastern Connecticut have enjoyed a year of mutual co-operative progress for our civic and social advancement. The five committees within the Chamber of Commerce should create new life for 1916 and it is to be hoped the merchants of Norwich will get closer together for results on a credit system for the mutual benefit of all. I do not believe that everybody that falls into debt does it wilfully. It is greatly due to the lax methods of our retailers and jobbers, many times forcing the sale of something they want to get rid of and taking a chance by letting the other fellow owo for it. Confidence among the “merchants, with honest reports, will mean less bad bills and kill the crook. Of particular interest now to Norwich, now more than ever GEORGE F. TAYLOR Willimantio WILLIAM A. SOMERS Norwich 3 before, and for the future, is more unity and less jealousy. A corporation now well established with orders of large dimensions is in our city. They ask for and are entitled to our assistance. They do not ask for money, quite the other way. They are will- ing to give $40,000 to help build homes and houses fof their pros- spective workmen, men that earn from $15 to 50 per week. ‘They agree to fill every desirable house and tenement. They ask us to assist. It behooves each and every one of us to co-operate. If you are in position, build a house of your own; if not, would it not be a wise and profitable investment for each of us to invest a hundred or more dollars with the Norwich Housing company? Think it over, ask questions, investigate, and you surely will Jjoin the army of co-workers to meet the situation in hand and make Norwich a commanding healthy, prosperous business center. Another good action would be for every broad-minded, think- ing man in all lines of business and professions that feels he has a place in Norwich as a citizen to join the Norwich Chamber of Commerce. By attending the meetings he will know more of the real facts of what is actually being done, and then if he wants to talk at the club, in the hotel, the cigar store, or on the street corner, he will know and not guess at what is going on. He will become a booster for his home town. ‘We naturally expect men of great wealth to be public spirited, and it is so in some eities, cities that grow rapidly because their action inspires everybody, down to the underpaid laborer, to give his mite. Is it not the liberal middle man that gives the volume, and the combined contribution of the business and working man that makes up the balance? ‘What influence can we bring to bear that the men of means and power will be placed at the head and support morally and financially everything that is to benefit Norwich? The solution is in their hands. They can make or they can break. They don’t always break neither do they always help to make. If they are not with us, they are retarding us, as they have many fol- lowers of less wealth who will do as they do. The Hon. Charles F. Thayer once said that all the good people of Norwich were up in Yantic cemetery. I am sure that is not so. There are better or as good men living in our city today as ever were born; all they need is some moral or financial assistance. Look back and see how our first benefactors got their wealth and the assistance they had at command. Someof them were indeed liberal, and they were looked up to in Norwich as civic, political and financial leaders. What we need and what we must have to make Norwich a live, prosperous, recognized city as in years past is COMBINED EFFORT. Wealth alone is useless. Norwich needs, not so much wealth, as the moral support of the wealth power; The active assistance of the Chamber of Commerce with the live committees; The united spirit of brotherly love which all organized bodies profess; A spirit of pride for progress in the healthiest, prettiest, most natural Sachem Plain reservation that our North American In- dians lived in and our forefathers selected for their nome and their followers. The world is praying for peace. Let our good people also pray for unity and honest progress. Let each and every broad- minded man get together, talk it over, join the Chamber of Com- merce. Praise, boost, stout; last and best, let all work for Norwich. WILLIAM A. SOMERS, President Norwich Chamber of Commerce. PROMISING YEAR AHEAD. Based on Gratifying Industrial Experience in New London in the Past Twelve Months—Great Commercial Revival on the Way. It seems to me the vear 1916 promises to bring unusual com- fort and satisfaction to New London. No tremendous boom is anticipated but we do expect that the very gratifying industrial activity of the present year is to be more than continued; that the near completion of the pier and its approaches with the development above the bridge will be accompanied by a great commercial revival; that with these in- creased opportunities for participating in material prosperity will be the refining influences of the college, the new Y. M. C. A,, the Y. W. C. A, and the other vigorous organizations working for the common good. If with all the fortunate circumstances at hand we fail to be happy, the fault must be with the person and not with local conditions. E. D. STEFLE, President New London Chamber of Commerce. FORESEES PUTNAM’S PROSPERITY. Get-Together Spirit Has Been Awakened—Accomplishments of Year Reviewed By Chamber of Commerce President. During the past year the Putnam Chamber of Commerce has doubled its membership, quadrupled its income, strengthened its organization, and accomplished results above anything ever at- tempted before. It has established an office which is kept open eight hours a day; installed furniture, telephone, filing equip- ment, and other necessities for doing work in a business way, and keeping permanent record of its activities. The name has been changed from Business Men’s association.to Chamber of Commerce, and the enlarged scope of work is indicated by this alteration. Perhaps the most important effect has been that there is a now confident feeling that people can get together in such a body and accomplish results that weould otherwise have been out of the question. The trade school is an example. ,Everyone knew that the temporary quarters in the old Hammond building were inadequate; but it was feareéd that the town would never vote the furds to build. The Chamber of Commerce was just the agency needed to get people together. Through its machinery the question was agitated, meeting held, speakers procured, pub- licity given, details worked out, and a petition for a special town meeting drawn up. The voters did the rest; and a twenty thous- and dollar building is now going up, te house a model school. Only such an association could have brought it about in time to prevent having $7,000 go back into the state treasury because the board of education could spend it only upon assurance before a fixed date that the town would build. There is no disposition on the part of the Chamber officers to claim credit or power because of such results. They simply believe in the new gospel of co-operation, and preach it with all their might. They look upon the civic and commercial organiza- tion the best way to inform and crystalize public opinion, and translate it into action. These same methods have been used on some of the.prob- lems of the merchant. Every retailer knew that he was doing a lot of advertising that was of no value to him, but amounted to a contribution to some organization which he favored, or a hold- up by one that he gwould like to refuse. The outcome of meet- ings and discussions on this subject was the passage of a reso- of Business Men’s Organizations Tell of Accomplishments In Past Twelve Months and omf Full of Promi for the Future-Eastern Connecticut’s Two Counties Have Reason to Expect Great Trade Expan lution that members should not advertise in programmes, score cards and the like, nor give articles to be used as prizes. This was not made binding by any penalties, but was an expression of principle. One merchant who keeps account of sucn things (do they all?), says that such advertising cost him $70. in the last six months. His firm pays $10. a year dues to the Chamber, and the net gain will be $130. this year. In his place of business today hangs a neat card, glazed and framed, handed him free of all charge, to which he will point next time he is solicited for . adyertising that does not advertise. ... This same merchant was enthusiastic over the results of the w Dny“ which the active Merchants’ committee of the Chambér managed. His store, like many others, did the biggest days business in its history, drawn there by the united adver- tising in which. he joined. A second bargain day was managed later. Cards were issued urging all to “Buy in Putnam;” and dur- /ing December others appeared suggesting, “Do Your Christmas Shopping Early: Early in the Day, Early in the 'Week, Early in the Season.” \Last summer the usual closing on Thursday after- noons was arranged by the merchants’ committee, and not as formerly by the clerks: and cards to anmounce this were also put.out. All these benefits are shared by the merchant who is @ member without additional cost, except for the special adver- tising that accompanies a bargain day and makes it a success. Chamber of Commerce methods have taken the place of the old way of going around and getting agreement to each proposition :lsmn comes up, with a special effort—and a special tax—each e. c One of the efforts of any live commercial body i pew industries. Last summer the officers ‘were nbleytosb:n;el?::: the Eclipse Manufacturing company, making woclen cloaks and suits. The results were far reaching, as is always the case. One man found a sale for his vacant building; the only one of any size that was vacant, by the way, in the whole city. What few tenements, of all classes that were unoccupied, filled at once. Land was bought by the company, making a good sale for a plot of ground that had long waited a purchaser. A local firm se- cured the contract for putting up seven cottages of a convenient and attractive type. It was due to representations made by the Chamber directors, that this excellent housing in real homes was secured instead of the six tenement house that was first proposed. The payroll from this new Industry is spent in Putnam by s thrifty and desirable class of operatives, and every storekeeper has his chance at it. Those who want this type of work have been hired and taught, and are today making more than they did at some other occupations. The shop runs without shut downs. The service rendered the new concern ‘was so appreciated that they became patrons of the Chamber at $25. a year, unsolicited. Besides these educational, mercantile and indu the organization has had an eye fo civie welfare ae watt o community Christmas tree is still fresh in everyone’s mind. It brought out a wealth of good feeling and furnished a common ground for the expression of the religious sentiments of the season, that made a deep impression on all who took part. even if by their attendance only. Much was learned that will make it possible to repeat the celebration nex: % nos t year with far greater Another civie feature has been the lectures on Su - Ing at the Bradley theatre, which brousht out reepomciey G cnces that taxed the capacity of the tlieatre which the manage- put af e ISpOs il posal of the Chamber without profit to While some find these lectures out of place o others ask for more, and have proposed that they be held ooy Sunday evening after church time, and be developed into & people’s forum, where the speaker will answer questions, and public opinion may be educated. Here, as in other matters, the officers consider’ themselves the servants of the members: and nothing will be done without the backing and support of the fuil chamber, as expressed in open meeting. Many other matters have been broached, and either referred to speciai committees or Dpostponed in favor of more pressing concerns, The general method followed is to appoint a committ: makes a study of its subject. The resources of the ey e ot their disposal, for correspondence with other cities, to learn hos the problem is handled elsewhere; for meetings, and o on When they are ready to recommand, the directors hear their con. -clusions, and call a general meeting. This is heralded in ihe newspapers, and one and sometimes two postal notices are 'sent to all members. Action is then taken in open meeting, and no course embarked upon which does not receive general Support. An example of this latter case was in the matter ange of credit information, and the co-operative. cotlection ot mepee The practice of other bodies was investigated most thoroughly. A manager of a successful bureau under a Chamber in anothor city came here at his own expense to help. And the met result was that it was agreed to be unnecessary here. For learning how to do it, and how not, t places is most valuable. The local body is" & member of Ler Connecticut Chamber of Commerce; and there is profit in theie meetings and those of thejr directors. The Eastern Comnectioat Development committee, corhprising the organizations fn Daniel. son, Willimantic, Norwich, New London and Putnam, does Splen.. did’ work for this section of the state, and its meetings’ axs o liberal education. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America is a body that has immense power and possi- bilities. As a member of the state body, Putnam has an indirect representation in the national organization; but it is a question now under consideration whether direct membership, at the new low rate for small locals would not be a paving investment. The Boston Chamber of Commerce also tri C les to act in the interests of all New England: and co-operation wif been valuable in one or two instances. % i AL Minutes of the meetings of the Putnam Chamber of Com- merce are kept typewritten in loose leaf books. All cog:— spondence is filed so as to be instantly available, under a system that makes the information convenient to any officer or commit- tee chairman. A list of out-going mail furnishes a sort of added index. The scrap book of press clippings is at once a history, and a check on publicity methods. Dockets are typewritten fol.‘ each meeting of the Chamber and of the directors. The mere :;ct :; having a man answer the telephone and otherwise keep e office open all day, puts Putnam out of th it e class of the usual The next step for the Chamber of Commerce ought to permanent, paid, full-time executive secretary. o e could be had for as little a thousand dollars a year and would earn his salary many times. kept up on a volunteer basis because even that are now attempted takes so much time that the thr who have held the position of secretary unite to say th:: 3:; enjoyed doing it, but could not possibly keep up the pace. All the prospects are for a year of such prosperity as will make the great advances of the past two years look small by comparison. CLINTON §. ANDEM, President Putnam Chamber of Commerce. C. J. HARRIMAN, Secretary. Such a man for a starter, The work cannot be to do the few things WILLIMANTIC’S BUSY YEAR. Board of Trade and Business Men’s Association Pa: Actively in Events of Importance to the City. icipated In a resume of the activities of the Willimantic board of trade and Business Men's association' for the past year, it may be said that the one regret of the organization was the resigna- tion of our president, on whose shoulders we all expected to throw:the responsibilities of leading us during the ensuing year, and to whom we were all prepared to give loyal support. Press- ure of business and his many duties in other lines of public duty caused his resignation to be accepted, though he still remains loyal in his support of the Willimantic board of trade. One of the notable events of the year has been the remarka- ble work of the membership committee. Through their zeal and enthusiasm nearly one hundred members have been received d%m past two months. The added membership is already ha @ good effect on the association, and will give added weight to the discussion of public affairs and more authority for ;hb a:::m-t:;‘n ':J" endeavors to make its recommendations or mate: social welfare of our city felt. The large mh-uipvmdwtudwn“mmm-umm'mt in the Eastern Connecticut assoclation. Another notable event for which the association can claim the honor and credit was the inauguration of the Old School and Home Week celebration. By pledging its support to the cele- . directors in 1916 HOLDING 3 The door of opportunity swings wide open before Norwich ,at the beginning of this new year. Never before as the city said g00d-bye to the old and welcomed the new did:the incoming twelve months bear’ such possibilities for the community as are - now brought into view. > But there is a step which Norwich people are called upon to take in order that they may pass through the portak and realize to the full the promise of the immediate coming twelve months and of a period streteh- . ing into & lengthening future beyond. This step is ‘the inauguratiom ~at once of a buflaing cam- paign, both by comcerted publie effort and indivi- dual and private entet- prise, that shail put the _ community in the pos- ession of . hundreds. . of more homes for the in- coming employes of ‘the concern whose expansion now in progress is .to mean so much to Nor- ‘wich. ” As is well.known, the Hopkins & Allen Arms company is the industry referred to and fits $4,- 500,000 contract for 150, 000 army rifles as well as the possibility. for an- other contract for 1,000,~ 000 rifles for about $286,- 000,000 are the reasons for the expansion that.is so far in process and that is hopefully looked for in the future in this city. 2 Already it has been promised that for carrying out thes first mentioned contract the 500 or 600 employes of the concern will be increased to over 2,000 and if the latgéf expéctation becomes an assured fact it is the understanding that 5,000 will approxi- mate the number to be emploved. In that gvent the next five years promise to be the nlost momentous development period that Norwich has ever known, and it has beerf the prediction”of some of those most intimately acquainted with™ the situation that in that time Norwich would become a place of. 40,000 to 50,000 people. 3 * on 9 So far the Hopkins & Allen company has made extensive purchases of land and buildings in the immediate vicinity of its. factory on Franklin street that triple its former. holdings, and there are yet other in- creases looked for, and important building con- struction to be expected. At the head of the com- pany is J. A. McGregor, or Athol, Mass., as pres- ident, with George S. ‘Watts of this city as its treasurer. Already ' the of the arms company have sRown their willingness to co- operate with the citi- zens in meeting the de- mand for new houses by subscribing $20,000 to the stock of the Norwich Housing company and adding to this a second $20,000 subscription. Formed to meet the situation and the dethand for new dwelling places for the coming influx of new residents, the Nor- GEORGE S. WATTS wich Housing company A has been organized ana Treasurer Hopkins & AMen"Arms Co. has begun the construction of 20 new two-family houses; but this is not all. They are enlisted in the work of securing more subscriptions in order to build more houses and:if’is here that the private individual can do his part to forwar@ the city’'s growth. The united subscriptions of many will put the *housing’ company in a position to do yet more buflding. It is this united strength and community interest that is called for at the open- ing of this new year. g + As fast as completed the arms company has guaranteed to fill with tenants the houses that are built. Besides the sharing of-the responsibility by the smaller money holders through sub-, scriptions to the housing company, there is a field and a call for individual controllers of capital to use it at this time for ad- vancement of the city in which they make their homes dnd in which they take just pride. » Oppértunity beckons; it is now for Norwich to prove, that she is worthy to add new petals of accomplishment . to the Rose of New England. J. A. McGREGOR President Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. — e bration and guaranteeing the expenses of the"principal speaker, the success of the affair was assured. Loyal support was given tie general committee and financial support was freely given. The rooms of the organization, handsomely decorated, were thrown open to the public during the week, and a' committee of the board were in constant attendance to welcome guests and show them the city. & The crowning event of the year was the wonderfully com- plete and excellent industrial exhibition giveri at the town hall during the entire Old School and Home Week celebration, and the demand of the public was so insistent that the: exhibition was kept open during a part of the ensuing week: ‘The board of trade deserves great credit in securing such a magnificent display. of our manufuctures, and the exhibitars .deserve .the thanks of the entire community for their geneérosity in display- ing so skillfully and tastefully their products. b 2% % A number of projects for new manufacturing -establishmients have been investigated by the trade committee, but no defipite steps have been taken to secure new undertakings.. The Wm;l' lants secured by the efforts of the association have had gernuu year and show a constant addition’ to g Vigorous support has been giveri fo. 1 Eastern Connecticut Developmient as present at all its meetings, and taking erations. : e P The social life of the associationhas owing to the active and well considered leade: tainment commit . and Business Men’s Association.