The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-12-18
Encourage Business

In view Of the efforts made by other
towns and cities to encourage the estab-
lIshment of industries, the question nat
urally arises are citizens Of Skowhegan
doing all they can in this direction.
There may be efforts put forth to en-
duce the establishment Of small industries
here but II 80 they are individual II there
Ia Organized effort to this end We are not
advised Of II, and we have watched close
" for indications. That we have good
" number and variety Of manufactures
now We do not deny, and that they have
contributedivery greatly to our prosper
ity we all know, but there is room for
others and they would add to our pros
perity.
1t was only one year ago that we came
intentionally near losing an important
industry and one the loss OF which
would have been greatly 10 the detriment
of our town. 1t was saved by persistent
effort against short-sighted policy that
progressive towns cannot indulge 10 with
safety. This was action in the line OF
the defensive which is good as far as 1t
goes, but we cannot rely upon defensive
acts. We must be aggressive II we are
oven to maintain our relative position
among Somerset towns and Maine towns.
The towns above Us and below US, on the
Kennebec are reaching out for business.
Is Skowhegan doing anythingf She can
not take advantage Of the good work OF
other towns, in fact these may act to her
disadvantage.
The Skowhegan Board of Trade has
held meetings and discussed these matters
but the interest has effected but . small
fraction Of our business men. and the In
terests manifested by the few has not re
ceived the support Of the many, snd NO
Organized effort has been put forth.
There should I've concert Of action In
this matter. No one class of people Ia
alnna intereated. The lahorar- the. mar
chant, tho farmer, the mechanic, the
manufacturer, the banker, the capitalist
and those Of every other occupation, as
we'll ~ property owners. all are vital
" Interested In this matter aud all should
manifest that interest.
It il good thing TO have nice build
ings, elegant residences, business blocks
public buildings, etc. These all add i'm
mensely to our town, make it attractive
indicate prosperity and add to the enjoy
meut Of our people and the convenience
and happiness to all, but manufacturing
industries which will give employment to
men and women and add to the cash pro.
ducts of our town, are Of vastly greater
importance In business point Of view.
To help along the cause the REPORTER
makes this offer. We will advertise for .
time, FREQ Of cost to the proprietor, any
unoccupied building or stand suitable fol
any manu- featuring business with or with
out steam or water power, giving . dis
cription Of the business, providing the
owner win give Us the information upon
which to base this advertisement.
We are aware that this is only one
method to reach the desirable end. and
does not obviate the Instability Of indiv.
idual and organized effort In other ways.
1t il, the REPoRTER's contribution to the
cause, hoping the other means may be
used In good time and with good effect.
We further suggest that advertisement
Of unoccupied buildings and power,in the
Industrial Journal or Board of Trade
Journal would be likely to produce good
results.