The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-01-23
BOARDS OF TRADE.

prosperity and prominence to the intel
ligent labors Of a we'll organized, thor
oughly equipped and earnest board o.
trade. These organizations bear about
the same relation to a municipality, a:
far as their influences and work for gooC
or evil are concerned, as the manager OF
directors of large corporate enterprises
bear to the interests in his or theil
charge. Boards of trade may not be Of
fetal organizations with power to formu
late laws for the government OF commu
mites or cities, but they may be the me
dunn through which public spirit finds
expression and public enterprise are con
ceived, directed, and successfully com
pleted. In a word Il properly equipped
board of trade is a most powerful factor
in promoting the interests. stimulating
the industries, and advancing the pros,
perity of a city.
Facts justify the assertion that Helena
owes its present proportions and all lis
prospects for the future to the courage,
faith and untiring labors Of its %intclli-
gent, wide awake board of trade. Ii
that place had "a 1.-THE OF the natural re-
sources and advantages Of Great Fails
it would be today the most prominent
| city in the west and the center to which
capital and labor from the outside world
would flow as water runs to the sea. Its
board of trade has accomplished wonders
and it is not yet through its work.
Great Falls has "a board of trade. but
what has it now doing: Has it accom-.
plished its mission and fallen into innoc.
uous desuetude? Great Falls is full OF
public spirited. enterprising business
men who, if they would direct their en-.
ergies in a common channel for a com.
mon end. could make their efforts fell
where they would do the most good
Are they SO directing them? These are
pertinent questions and should not be
lightly considered. There is a broad,
untitled field for the labors OF Il well or
ganized board of trade in this city. y
large number Of enterprises can be
spurrcd from conception to completion
by the encouraging action Of an earnest
board of trade. Statistics and data
should be gathered and preserved, pub
LEGATIONS should be prepared and sent
out to inquiring parties, property ln-
vestments noted, and all information
which may be useful to members be col
lected and conveniently arranged.
A board of trade room should not Only
be a place where business men may dis
cuss public enterprises, compare views,
arrive at intelligent conclusions and
agree to act unitedly for the common
good, upon any given proposition, but it
should be a place where those interested
may obtain facts and data touching such
matters as may be considered and acted
upon.
Great Falls affords an expanded field
for the work of a board OF trade. Just
at present one of the matters which
could profitably call its attention and
stimulate prompt action is the existing
necessity for telephone communication
with Lewiston and intermediate towns.
This city should cultivate very close re-
lations with tho county seat Of Fergus
county. 1t should reach out, as it were.
and grasp the tlourishing little city in
the judith basin by the hand and invite
il within our gates. Livingston is
stretching a telephone wire toward Lew
iston. but Great Falls is the natural ont
let for that place not Livingston. our
board OF trade may proiitabiy interest
itself in this as well as other matters.
Now is the time to act. The time is ripe
for energetic work upon the part of the
Great Falls board of trade.