Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-05
Meeting Of Board Of Trade.

Meeting Of Board Of Trade.
President Redington presided at
Thursday nights meeting of the Wa
tervlle Board of Trade. The president
read the call, and c. B. Davis, acting
secretary read the record of the last
meeting. President Redington stated
that one of the reasons why the meet
ing had been called was because the
Board of Trade had done nothing dur
ing the past year for the benefit of the
city The president desired to ascer-
tain whether or not the merchants
wanted a merchants day this year and
so had called the meeting. He had
written General Ticket Agent Boothby
for rates and had received a reply in
dicating that the Maine Central Com
pany would meet the citizens of Wa
terville with fair rates.
F. j. Goodridge asked if the mer-
chants of the city had realized any
benefit from the last Merchants day.
President Redington said his business
house had received substantial returns
from the day.
f. c. Wardwell said his business on
that day was more than he and his
clerks could take care of. He was for
another such day, for it surely helped
the dry goods business.
Hon. T. S. Head believed it a bene-
fit to the merchants and favored three
or four days for the event.
This matter was passed over for the
time being and the meeting took up the
matter of asking the general govern
fn1n b,,il
office.
President Redington spoke of the fire.
quency of the remarks on the street
ever since last spring: I'VE ought to
have government building for post
office. He said he understood that there
there is not any surplus room in the
new post office for the working off of
the mail and there is the probability of
the rapid increase of the postal bust
ness in the Waterville office. Presi-
dent Redington said the Board of
Trade had launched several practical
schemes and he believed it was the
business of the board to bring this mat
ter.
Hon. NJ. c. Foster spoke of the rapid
growth of the city in the past decade
1t is matter of common knowledge
that Waterville is one of the prettiest
cities in New England. He spoke of
the business enterprises of the city; the
fact that it is trading and railroad
center and he feels that it is time for
Waterville to turn their attention to
Greater Watervile. He believed it
would be to Waterville's advantage to
give the matter earnest consideration
Question-"What advantage would
public building be to Waterville?"
Mr.. Foster-"I am little surprised
at the question, and would like to ask
the gentleman what disadvantage the
building would be to Waterville?"
Hon. Nathaniel Meader took the DO
sition that it would be a disadvantage
to the city for the government to build
1t would take taxable land to be oc-
cupied as nOn-taxable. He would
rather see the government pay some
citizen good fat rent for the use of
an office. No taxes would come from
the general government from a public
building and he intimated that perhaps
syndicate to build capacious build
ing to rent to the general government
would be the proper thing.
President Redington read a letter
from c. w. Waldron stating that Box
Company that had been looking over
this city with view to locating here
II the company was given help by the
city. as in position to talk business
with Waterville
MI Waldron stated that firm in Au-
purn was looking about for a locat ton for
a box shop. President Redington said the
Massachusetts concern EMPLOYS 2o0 hands
Inc matter was referred to the commit
tee on manufactures. with the request
tnat the case be investigated and for the
committee to report thereon at such a
time as they deem proper
President Redington called attention to
the fact that the local board was indebted
to the State Board of Trade something
like $40 and it ought to be paid.
+. !. Goodridge moved that an assess
ment OF II be made on each member of
the board On motion of Hon. p. s. Head
1t was voted that the members who re-
fuse to pay the above assessment shall
forfeit their membership.
Hon. Nathaniel Meader took the floor
10 TAX IN general. He said that some
SIX months ago. the city had an offer
from a reliable firm that wanted to come
ana would, If they could have 500 horse
power. NOW comes the proposition from
the box shop. The city has nothing TO
oner, except perhaps building Water
power IS the source of wealth. The board
OF trade should purchase the power on
the Messalonskee. 1t is easily deyelopeS:
1t can be bought. Develop it and it viii
produce wealth; If it produces wealth.
MateTville must share in it. WHY does
Waterville sit idle and allow that power
to run to waste?
Hon. NJ c. Foster: "What would no
your idea. would it be to devotion II as
water power furnishing power for. manu-
iactures or to make electricity to bring
pOses?'' pui