Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1909-04-15
BRIDGETON N. j., THURSDAY. April, TX 1000

useu TO advantage by our merchants.
This was a short summary of our loca-
tion, natural advantages, and other
information concerning the city of
Bridgeton. The Bridgeton Evening
News, at that time, offered to print
this statement free of charge on the
back of the stationery of any Bridgeton
citizen who could use it. sent out
about fifty letters containing the copy
and asked the merchants and manufac-
turers if they would use it. assume
that it was not properly gotten up
since l am informed that no merchant
ever used it. I have annexed hereto
copy, which I sent out at that time.
Of course. these ideas are only the
ideas OF an individual and can un-
doubtedly be improved by adding the
views of others, and the whole worked
up and put in concrete form by com.
mittee appointed for that purpose, but
there should be an organization and
that organization should have home
in charge of person fully equipped
with the knowledge of the city and
the office should be open at all times
to the public, not a loafing place, but
business Office and there should be
on file in that Office full information
concerning the city, by which mean
a map showing the available sites with
such notes as to the proximity to rail-
roads, navigable water, information
regarding the city water supply at any
particular point, copy of the Board
OF Health rules and city ordinances.
tax rate, school conditions, churches
as we'll as information concerning our
amusemenrs, which are also an impor-
tant part in the life of every individu-
al. Transportation facilities, which
should include the tabulation of freight
rates by train or water, the service
that the railroads give to the big
cities, such as New York, Philadelphia
and Chicago, the time consumed in
transportation and the matter of sid
ings.
There should also be on file full in.
formation concerning material condi-
tions, labor situation and other general
information and data which would be
of the greatest Importance to any one
desiring to locate factory.
Frank McGalliard followed Mr.. Han
kins. He made one of the most practi-
cal talks of the meeting. He told
about freight rates, showed them why
Bridgeton could compete with any
other city in the East and proved it
with figures. He told them what many
did not know, and that was how hard
other cities tried to secure the Ferra-
cute Machine Company with their new
plant. by sending literature explaining
the advantages of their respective
places He believed in organization
and advertising, and introduced enthu-
siasm that was felt by every man
present.
Henry A. Hettinger was the only
manufacturer to address the meeting.
The city needs more like him. He
spoke in few words, but when he had
finished, one did not doubt his sim
cerity, and with it went his offer to
give practical assistance in the shape
of contribution, and in liberal man
ner, too.
Former Mayor Alex r. Fithian offer
ed practical suggestions along the line
of organization, and is thorough--be-
lever in having Bridgeton introduce
itself to the outside world through the
medium-of printers Ink.
Following the remarks it was sug-
gested that committee of five be
named to take the preliminary steps
for permanent organization, and a
motion prevailed to have the chairman
appoint such committee, and when
they adjourned to meet again, Wednes-
day evening, April 21st.
Mr. Bacon announced that he desired
to postpone the appointment of this
committee, so that he could secure the
right men,
The next meeting is one week from
tonight