The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-04-15

feCtlOn may De dttdlneu' Wll the chamber appoint a special committee for the purpose of formulating plan for financing the project and carrying the same to execution?
 Since this suggestion was made at the last annual meeting the New York chamber of commerce has considered similar project and is contemplating the erection of a chamber of commerce building.
 ORANGE STREET FROM GEORGE
 TO WATER STREET.
 This project, presented to this cham Der last year, was favorably reported upon by the committee on town and city Improvements and petition pre- scented to the court of common coun- ell, which was referred to the commit tee on streets. The hearings upon the subject unfortunately occurred in mid summer when most of our members were absent from the city, and as usual i it met with some opposition on the part of property owners and others who as- stunned that in time privileges on this street might be acquired by electric lines. From other expressions received from citizens of prominence, far-sight- ed and loyal to the city's best interest, it is demonstrated that the suggestion is one that should be favorably consid- cred and eventually consummated. From the legislation obtained during the present session 1t is evident that new railroad station will be built in the near future, and when 1t Is built, gen. tlemen, am sure you will fully realize the wisdom of the suggestion and the importance attached to 1t. Le us hope that the subject may be revived, and more serious and favorable attention given to the matter. By skillful lay out the objections made by property owners may be obercome and a street secured from the railroad station to East Rock, exempt from electric lines and for the convenience of those who have occasion to reach the station by carriages.
 I trust I may be pardoned for again referring to these three measures, but they are very important in character and mean to the city of New Haven far more than we realize to-day.
 By reference to our records you will be impressed with the number of meas ures of importance to the city state and country at large that have originated with this chamber.
 It is perhaps known to but few that our system of outlying parks and the methods of providing the funds for their proper maintenance was first for mally presented to the public by res- o1ution introduced into the chamber by a former president and exmayor of the city, the late Henry G. Lewis, in 1888.
 The extensive system of paving, on which we are about entering, and the method for providing payment for the same originated with this chamber.
 The matter of planting elm trees only in our city, thus to preserve one notable feature of our city's beauty and fame, was recommended by my imme- diate predecessor, Hon. N. D. Sperry, and has not been forgotten, and the in- terest in the subject is being revived by some of the members of the city gov ernment, demonstrating that the cham ber's influence is felt and that frequent ly it's recommendations SOW good seed that ultimately bears fruit, even though not always greeted with immediate re- suits
 JUNCTION OF GRAND AVENUE
 AND STATE STREET.
 Another matter in connection with streets that your attention should be called to is the widening of Grand ave- nue at the junction of State street. This | ;e n e,,Ii h,,+ i- important one The expense involved in such an improvement has seemed to be the embarrassment in the case in the past, but the locality in question is conceded by everyone to be most dan- gerous one and a point at which some shocking accident or accidents will surely occur that will result in the loss of life to some of our citizens and a larger expense to our city in the end. PRESIDENT FORD's ANNUAL AD-
 DRESS
 In assuming for the second time the position of president of the chamber of commerce of New Haven, I would assure you of my appreciation of the friendship and confidence expressed in again placing men in this position, and take occasion to tender my thanks for the honor conferred, and recognize my obligations to my associates, officers, directors and members of the various committees, and especially those mem- bers of the chamber who by their faith ful attendance at its stated meetings and by their expressions, discussions and judicious action on various sub jects have assisted in obliterating the impression that some of our citizens so long insisted upon entertaining in re- gard to our activity and have contrib uted so much to the interest and inn portance of our organization during the past year
 Especially would I recognize the cour- tesy of the press, which has at all times been alert in assisting and supporting every important measure that has been under consideration, also of the court of common council, the officials of the city government, and the board of harbor commissioners, who have co-operated with us in several matters of import ance, sharing in whatever success has attended our efforts in advancing the interests of the city of New Haven.
 MEMBERSHIP.
 In evidence of the increased interest