The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-23

special meeting OF the mayor ana
Board of Aldermen was held yesterday
afternoon, there being present Mayor
Baxter and Aldermen Guptill, MCGOWAN,
Bracket, Prince and Strout.
The most important and interesting
matter before the board was brought up
by Mr.. O.. M. Lord, superintendent of
schools, who has received visit from
Mr.. M. =. Grace, eastern passenger agent
of the Grand Trunk Mr.. Grace had re-
ceived urgent directions from General
Passenger Agent Wogtsaff of the Grand
Trunk, to come to this city and inform
the school authorities here that by
prompt invitation the next meeting of
the National Educational Association
could be secured for Portland. This
meeting will take place some time next
summer. In presenting this matter Mr..
Lord explained that the meeting of that
association here meant the attendance of
from i've to fifteen thousand persons,
who would expect to be provided with
accommodations at somewhat reduced
rates. They would expect hall large
enough to accommodate their meetings,
and perhaps several other halls for sub
ordinate meetings. They would also
expect some free entertainment in the
shape of free excursion or something of
that sort.
Alderman Guptill said that the first
steps towards inviting this association
had been taken by the Board of Trade.
He did not believe the city had legal
right to go to the expense of entertaining
this large gathering: and thought the
matter properly belonged to the Board
of Trade The prospect of ten or fifteen
thousand people coming here deserved
careful consideration. The hotels of
Portland supplemented by those at Old
Orchard and the islands could not take
of such host.
Alderman MCGOWAN was earnestly in
favor of inviting the association. AS to
mum ers, he believed that Portland could
take care of them. When common re-
port stated that ten thousand would
come, it was generally safe to expect five
thousand. The city had entertained the
Eridano and Lieutenant Peary success
fully and pleasantly, and he thought the
precedent could be followed in this case
Alderman Brackett did not believe
that this city government should invite
such host of people here for the next
city government to take care of.
Alderman Strout thought it would be
an excellent idea to have the meeting
here: but the entertainment of such a
number would be great undertaking,
which should be considered very care
fully. He thought there should be first
of all, before anything was attempted,
full understanding with the Board of
Trade.
A message was sent to Secretary Rich
of the Board of Trade asking his attend
ance, and he responded. Mr.. Rich said
that the idea of inviting the association
had been suggested to the Board of
Trade by the agent of the Grand Trunk
at Detroit, and the invitation had been
extended last summer. Since then moth
ing had been heard from it. If the city
government would appoint committee.
to meet the managers of the Board of
Trade the matter could be discussed. A
considera BILE sum of money would be re-
ouired to manage the matter. Portland
is a favorite summer resort, and he
thought the meeting would be largely
attended, by ten or fifteen thousand
people. There would be no hall large
enough for the meeting and tent or
some such arrangement would be needed.
The halls and churches could be used
| for subordinate meetings. MIR. Rich said
| it would be formidable undertaking.
! The Board of Trade had no funds but
could organize the matter. The visitors
| could be divided among the citizens.
| Mayor Baxter said he understood that
| the association were anxious to come,
and that they expected to pay for their
entertainment. The time when they
would come would be the latter part of
| July.
| Alderman McGowan said that New
port, RI, and Bethlehem, N. H., had
| cared for the meetings, and he thought
| Portland could. The visitors could board
In families and onPeaks and other islands
down the bay as far as Harpswell. There
also was the large rink on Peaks island
| which could be turned temporarily into
a lodging place.
| Mr.. Rich and Mr.. Guptill brought up
! the fact that at the time when they
would come we should naturally be
crowded with the usual number of sum-
mer visitors.
! Alderman Strout thought we should,
] in case we invited the association, be
very careful to notify them of Portland's
| accommodations.
Alderman MCGOWAN here presented an
| order that committee of three, of
| which the Mayor should be one, be ap-
pointed to confer with the Board of
Trade in regard to inviting the Aassocia-
tion.
appointed Aldermen Guptill and Strout
It will be arranged to have the con-
ference in the aldermen's room, City
building, at four o'clock this afternoon.
The school COMMITTEE at their meeting
Yesterday afternoon considered the mat
ter, and appointed Superintendent Lord
to confer with this COMMITTEE in regard
to the proposed invitation.
After the school committee meeting
the matter was talked over informally
By members of the committee and Mayor
Baxter. 1t was suggested that represen-
tatives of the hotels here and also at Old
Orchard he invited in TO the meeting to-
day, to express their opinions, and this
suggestion was carriedsout.
| The members of the association would
come Monday and 90 Saturday. The