Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-12-20
TO HELP THE CITY
PRESIDENT BRIGGS lNAucRAl


since its annual meeting. Elghtcsa
members Of the board we're present
President Brirgs was In the chair. and
the chief interest Of the evening cen
tered In nis inaugural address. which 10
ss foliawss
President DrtxgS' Address.
In being called TO pre<ids over your
deliberations for another year l am
deeply seaside of the honor conferred.
and beg % return nv thanks for 80 M
mlstakable an expression OF your coz
tinusd trust and confidence. In enter
ing upon the discharge OF our duties for
the new year / ask the indulgence Of
the board In briefly presenting Tor con-
sideration few thoughts and recon.
meHdations suggested by tho occasion.
This meeting marks the entrances OF
the board upon the seventh year Of it,
existence. and may add. from the date
OF its formation TO the present the plans
and purposes On the organization have
been prosecuted TO the full extent per
mitted by the means at its disposal.
Without attempting 20 enumerate by
name the numerous services annually
rendered 10 promoting the welfare OF tho
oty NE may point. II asked for tangible
evidence OF work performed, 10 several
important manufacturing Industries
whose location in our midst Is due dl-
rectly 10 the efforts Of the board. And.
further. that any one OF them Ia worth
10 tho city annually far more than the
board has ever cost our citizens all told.
IL is believed the scope and purpose
OF the board. namely. TO foster. protect
aud advance the CON mercial, mercantile.
manufacturing and municipal interests
Of the city. and by the publication OF
specific Information make known the
advantages Of Grand Rapids as a city OF
homes and desirable place for the es-
tablishment Of business enterprises, are
sufficiently broad 90 warrant the general
support aud endorsement OF our people.
10 Is gratifying To note in this connec-
ton that the warmest friends OF the
board are those most familiar with what
ID has thus far accomplished and with
its plans for future Efforts The TACT,
also, that the number Of votes poled at
the last election was far in excess OF
that shown upon any similar occasion. Is
proof or increasing interest upon the
part OF the membership at large. and
warrants our faith Ia the belief that the
Grand Rapids board OF trade has como to
stay.
from this brief consideration Of the
situation and Of results thus far accom-
plished, encouragement may DO drawn
and future Successes predicted. Indeed.
with like faith as that which sustained
the commander OF the union forces at
the close OF that great conflict in the
Wilderness. we may say TO our friends.
as he said 10 his generals after hearing
-. l.
very well; at daylight tomorrow we will
again move forward"
A New .Grand Rapids As IL Is"
Taking up. therefore, the work before
Us. attention is invited to one or two
matters that may protitably engage the
attention Of tho board during the
present year.
A new issue Of Grand Rapids As Ii
Is brought down 10 date, or a work Of
similar character, should be gotten out
at an early day. Former editions Of our
book are exhausted, while demands for
copies from various sources are OF al
most daily occurrence. As the publica-
ton Is not q tar upon our treasury and
has proved valuable medium for max.
ing known the advantages claimed for
our city. Its annual issue and wide dis
tribution cannot fail Of beneficial re-
sultA
There is another enterprise in which
the board may proftably engage. and
that too without coming into competi-
ton or interfering with the established
business OF any OF our citizens I refer
to tho annual publication Of q city
directory. A brief canvass among the
subscribers TO such work has shown that
preference would be- given In every in
stance TO board Of trade book, should
such be issued. AS the work 10 one that
the board may properly undertake, and
would add TO our annual revenue $1,000
or $1,000, i recommend that steps be
taken for the annual publication OF such
directory. and that notice Of such inten-
tention be published TO our citizens
IA the boards usefulness is. TO some
extent. measured by the amount of
means at its disposal. and as its only
revenue at present Is derived from mem
bership fees. doom tho enterprise
named worthy 81 your adoption.
An Exchange Bulletin.
As II 10 the desire OF the directors to
extend TO the general membership ali
privileges afforded by tho board Tor the
adFanccment Of individual interests. /
would suggest that bulletin board.
placed In the otiico of the board for such
purpose. might prove q convenisnt aud
desirable method for members OF the as
ISOLATION 20 publish and mako known
thor vants To those who want Co cell.
whether real estate OF other property.
- well 20 those who want TO buy, this
bulletin board would DO of interest
The advantages derived from ample
railway facilities are we'll known. aud az
every additional line entering the city
adds 10 IL impoftaacs a. . railroad COO.
ter. aud aida IN our continued growth
and prosperity. support should be en-.
tended the project sos being agitated
for the building % read from this city
% battle Creek. such q line would
Afford direct communication With 1ole.
do aud The coal iislds % Ohio. and. raak.
TAG connections With the BaiImofs 4
ohio system. wsald prove IL great value
Ia general say and ~ special service
% many ef our Industries. Thee are
noel ese~ilsnt reasons FOR stating that
this iiHe. taasthef vlih the Que pro.
leetsd bstssea thts city asi Grad
hasea. vii ~ isuslt In the very near
future.
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