Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-03-27
BOARD OF TRADE.

Continued from page 81
committees, and you can not have too
many of them. it can get thoroughly ac-
quainted with the men of the town and
their resources, and every effort should be
made to develop the good things at home.
No matter how small the manufacture un-
dertaken, it should receive the distinct
countenance OF the business men of the
community, and as an industry, be aided
whenever aid is needed and deserved as
well.
In municipal affairs the board Of trade
should lead the local government, direct
its efforts and advise in all matters of gen.
eral Importance to the interests of the
town, whether commercial or otherwise.
1t should always strive to keep in the
most close and friendly relation with the
city or town officials, and advise with
them on all matters of vital public interest,
and being an absolutely non-partisan
body composed of the most influential
citizens, financially, commercially and in
dustriaIly, their council should be most
cordially received at any and all times.
Enthusiasm and self-esteem are the
foundations Of public spirit, and the
board of trade should expend no mean
share of its efforts in bringing out the
''public spirit" of patriotism, not only
among the members themselves, but the
people at large. The whole community
should be made to understand what q
good thing they have got in their town,
and what the special advantages of the
town are, and they should be- made loyal
and enthusiastic in regard to it.
ADVERTISING.
/ Another strong point in board of trade
work is what it can do towards advertis-
ing the town. For one thing, it can send
out descriptive books. 1t can compile a
late illustrated matter showing the various
pleasant, picturesque and attractive feat
ures.
Among the schemes for advertising
which boards of trade of the smaller COM
munities may advantageously employ are
the organization of committees to be at
railway stations and hotels to look after
arriving strangers, and if they prove to
be business men, to secure from them such
attention to the town as is desirable,
while also doing everything in their power
do make their stay,pleasant. Information
bureaus at the railway stations, hotels or
leading stores for the distribution of
folders, time-tables,' letc., also have a
wholesome effect upon visitors. The col
lection of local statistics, the preservation
and circulation of information bearing
upon commerce, business, manufacturing
and transportation, all come within the
province Of the board of trade, and are
valuable advertising adjuncts.
KEEP CAPITAL AT HOME.
Almost every town has a considerable
surplus capital, and strong efforts should
be made by the board of trade to secure
the investment of this capital in local in.
dustries. This is very much better for the
capitalist than to allow his money to go
abroad. 1t gives him, to a:.certain extent,
a supervision over the business in which
he has made an investment. He is also
better able to judge of the thing itself,
and at critical periodsmay be able to
render aid that would be entirely lacking
in foreign enterprise.
But in doing this the greatest care
should be taken in scrutinizing every en-
terprise that is introduced. 1t is better to
let something go of which the committee
in charge is not quite certain than to
once bring into the town a business that
will shake the confidence of investors in
the judgment of the board OF trade or its
knowledge. A practical rule is to SO thor
oughly investigate every scheme or pro-
ject to be introduced that it will be an
impossibility for investors to be disap-
pointed. This plan may sometimes lead
to the turning away of schemes which
afterward prove perfectly good, but the
gain in confidence is worth all which it
may cost.
SPECIAL ENTERPRISES.
For almost every place OF any size there
is class of special work which the board
of trade could forward, and which will
bring in a good return for the capital
expended, and at the same time be an
attractive feature to the town. Among
these are establishment of power COM
panies for the supplying of small manu-
featuring establishments with the neces-
sary power required. Electric light
plants, gas works, street railways, water
works, all could be very properly pushed
and organized through the instrum entail
ity of the board of trade Such boards,
too, could do much in the way of super
vising and directing public information
in regard to fire protection, water service,
street paving, and the like.
No small amount Of benefit may accrue
to town from the intelligent support or
opposition to Legislature or other measures
which affect the business interests of the
community. Many cities and towns have
found themselves hampered by legislation
Embellishments.