New-York tribune., 1902-07-20
HARTFORD BUSINESS MEN
GROWTH AND GOOD WORK
OF THEIR ASSOCIATION A
IN FOUR YEARS.
SOME OF THE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED
BRIGHT SPEECHES MADE AT THE
ANNUAL BANQUETS.

Hartford, Conn, July 1s CspecaD.-The Hart
ford Business Mems Association is not yet four
years old. having been organized November IA,
1858. Tt outgrowth of the Merchants Ex-
change Organization of wholesale merchants.
which works on lines OF united action In behalf
OF transportation facilities and other matters
which concern the wholesale trade. II was at one
of the meetings of the latter organization that
the question came up of uniting the retail mer-
chants and business generally in a body
which would for of the interests OF
general trade which could not b looked after so
well individually they could when backed by a
strong body of working in harmony. There
had been previous failures in this direction, and
IT was remarked by some one present that it would
he an impossibty 'as the business men could
not agree and did not want an organization
However, q committee appointed 10 take the
matter under consideration and after canvassing
1he subject thoroughly ii was voted to call meet
zng and start il along. Much assistance was given
by P. H. Woodward, secretary of the Board OF
Trade and OF the Merchants Exchange
There was a good attendance at the meeting.
and Stephen A Howe, then president OF the New
Haven Merchants Association present 10
offer suggestions and to answer such questions as
might be asked in rssard TO the efficiency OF the
Organization in that city. AS result Of the meet
dng forty business men signed the articles of
agreement and since that time the increase has
besn steady. until now there are over three hun
Gred and fifty members including the greater
number of the business men in the city
The constitution adopted sets forth that ''the
objects of this association TO protect its MEM
bers from bad debts and frauds, TO promote by
common action the business interests of Hartford
and its citizens. and 10 cooperate with similar
societies in other cities" The methods used in
carrying out the objects of the association
sfraightforgard and in harmony with the honor
able and upright conduct Of business. The first
board OF officers elected was as follows:
Ars4 5arf
George A Gay; second vice-president, Edgar F.
Burnham; secretary, Rufus H. jackson; treasurer,
{. A Pease; attorney, Edward J. GarFan
The energy and the hard work Of the officers
greatly aided the growth of the organization, and
IL soon began to be felt power for good in
the business Of the city. ". N Pelton en-
ployed TO aid in the furtherance Of the organza-
non and as collector. and since that time he has
been made clerk Of the association. with per
nanent Office at room No 80. stearns Building. in
Pratt-st.
In connection with the local work the associa-
Hon, through its officers and directors, aided IN
establishing State organization, which comprises
associations OF like nature in New-Haven.
Bridgeport, Norwalk New-London, Danbury Der
By, Seymour and Ansonia, comprising over two
thousand members, making the local association
elI the stronger, II is thus in touch with bust
ness Of other cities. and has access 70 such
Information they may have which is of value
10 It
Some Of the notable successes OF the association
In this city have been connected with the sup
preston Of various schemes and meretrcious de-
vices TO boom trade which had for their ultimate
end the accumulation OF profit 70 concerns which
had direc. interest in Hartford's prosperity
whatever. but were wholly outside OF such in
terest They brought substantial gain TO the
customer. and imposed a burden upon the rner-
chant that. although Il looked light and pleasant
1t the start. soon became intolersble. Among the
outside concerns were two which dealt in the trad
ing stamp. and for several months the merchants
tn this city were simply held fast by these con-
rerns. great the competition and the de-
sire the part Of the customers to get some
thing for nothing" The association analyzed the
methods OF the trading stamp people formed a
consolidated interest against them, and Hrst one
and then another OF the concerns quit business
There is probably not merchant IN the city to-
Gay who succumbed to the trading stamp that
Goes not remember the experience a most IN
pleasant one. The general half holiday On Friday
afternoons In the vacation months has been estab-
Eshed by the efforts Of the association, and this
required the exercise Of much tact and patience:
but having once been established IT has become
recognized institution bringing relief 20 the
merchants and the clerks. and accepted By the
purchasing public without complaint
The early closing business has become the ac-
eepted order Of business for the last year. and
This. too, a result OF the exercise Of much
tact and patience by the association Il has be-
come accepted fact and the public seems 10
enjoy ample opportunity to purchase goods while
the merchants and the clerks have the benefit OF
their evenings for social enjoyment for de-
selopment in the line OF study.
The first public appearance Of the Hartford
Business Mems Association was on August g.
1899, when IL chartered a the Valley road
for a days outing at New-London 70 dine with
kindred associations Of the State at the Pequot
House, in New-LOndon. At NeW-London the
Hartford association met by c. C. Perkins. Of
that city. on behalf OF the New-London associa-
ZION, and escorted about the quaint old whaling
port A trolley trip to Ocean Beach Of
the pleasures Of the day. and after hour and
half at that point. during which the finest sea
bathing the Connecticut coast tested by
many members. the party rounded up at the Pc
quot House At dinner there were six associa-
fions represented, eighty-one persons sitting at
The table OF these eighty-one. forty-one were
from Hartford
At the close OF the banquet George G. Strong
president OF the New-London association, vel
Dorned the outside associations suggesting that
1t would be well indeed II the merchants OF the
State got together and urged reforms in business
methods, even to the extent Of appealing to the
legislature for good acts in behalf OF business
matters. Cyrus G. Beckwith Mayor Of Newton.
don, made a speech of welcome in the Language
of John winthrop. "to ye fair waters Of New
aondon Harbor."
President Dwight y. He9es Of the Hartford as
sociation made address the lines Of har
tnonizing business interests and good fellowship
among business men. even though they might b'
rivals in the line Of trade. George F. Kel
1ogg, Of the Hartford association, made humor
Gus speech, IN which he told some apt anecdotes
relating TO the life Of a merchant and the growtf
Of business. On the return trip vote Of thank
was given President Hewes his efforts IN
making the day outing OF much pleasure. Th
Hartford business men present were;
Dwight n. Hewes president; c. r. Neal, A. A
olds. ]. C. Wiley, w: E; Tanning, Luke Horsfall