The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-03-06
MEMS
ASSOCIATION
An Organization to Improve
the Conditions Of Trade
ii Morristown.
AIN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING

ever held in MOrristown was that
called at county hall last Wednesday
evening for the organization Of the
Morristown Business Mems Associa-
tion. Nearly hundred men repre-
senting all classes Of business were in
attendance George p. Voorhees,
called the meeting to order and S.
@. Griffith was called upon to act as
secretary
d. r. Sturges presented a constitu-
tion which had been drawn UP by
committee and which was unanimous
" adopted. The objects Of the asso-
citation as stated were to foster trade,
induce tile location Of factories and
help business in every way generally.
Officers were elected as follows on the
nomination Of the committee of which
John Simmins was the chairman
President, George O. Smith vice
president, George T. Allen; secretary
and treasurer. s. G. Griffith, Jr.
Mr.. Smith in assuming office said he
did so conditionally. He had no am
bition to head any organization that
is dead or would peter out after al
short time, and If such happens to be
the result this time he said he would
gracefully resign. The business men
are confronted with a serious condi-
tion which must be faced. We are a.
residential town Of about $4,000 in
habitants. He was glad it is a resi-
Dental place and hoped it will always
remain SO. Many men who have ac-
quired surpluses have passed a dozen
towns along the railroad line to come
to Morristown. They have built many
palatial dwellings and employ an army
Of help. The merchants possibly do
not get their fair share of the owners
money, but they get all that is spent
by the help. 1t is not a fact that
Morristown has no visible means Of
support. 1t is true that there are too
many business houses, but you cannot
cut down the number and as the town
grows they will multiply.
Real estate is vital question. Many
properties have been sold on which
the interest on the sum invested has
more than devoured the value Of the
lots, so that Ii fact they are to-day
valueless. Property values will not
be as stable as they should be until
we get some industry. We want sew
ers, we want the trolley. The first is
in sight. The latter apparently is
near, and since the coming Of the au-
tomobiles there is no opposition; but
they must come in the right way, and
at the right price and where we want
them.
Mr.. Smith said he had been opposed
tofactories, but there have new circum-
stances arisen in the building of the
Erie R. r. which have changed condi-
tions and afforded advantageous loca-
tions for industries. The town must
put forth it's best efforts must raise
some money.
Ex-Alderman Hurting told an Illus
tration of the advantage of sewers,
stating that line around the Park
would be enough to change conditions
as the outside world sees them.
Ex-Judge Cutler reviewed the his
tory of the town and the pushing
qualities shown in the latter part Of
-the 18th century, when the old First
Church was built, the Library started
and the Morris AQueduct opened
Then came the early establishment of
the gas works and the Speedwell Iron
works. Now other towns have all the
advantages which Morristown early
possessed. We are living too much
on our past history There is room
for factories and more business. The
committees cannot do the work, it is
necessary for all citizens to push
ahead.
Eney Grupelli said the talk was all
about factories toward Whippany.
Why not keep them in Morristown
where the workmen who live here can
get to them easily. There is plenty
of land and people needing work
R. w. McEwan called attention to
the fact that about the only desirable
sites are toward Whippany and said
that factories when they went out in
the country want room. In the
Whippany direction there is plenty of
land, water, gravel and sand, added to
excellent railroad facilities. He urged
the association to hustle for factory
somewhere.
Mr.. McEwan said he had opposed a
trolley through Whippany because he
thought they should be built in the
fields, but in<Morristown some of the
streets must be used. Adjust their
coming SO that they will do the most
good and keep out of politics. Inter
ested citizens can do more to help a
town than all the politicians in the
country. Factories he said OF course
would benefit his railroad, but they
would help the town more. The rail
road is guardian Of traffic in Morris
town and if you help it, it will help
you. There is no better place in the
country he declared than Morristown
with it's three railroad svstains gfretnh-