The Billings gazette., 1909-03-05

amounting to the sending of altogether
about S75 letters, besides a grea&
many copies of the new Billings Ad-
vertising book, as we'll as those of the
Huntley project and such other ma
terial as we have at hand The office
has established card index system,
by which we keep tab on all classes
of visitors, and inquiries, who are or
may become interested in the affairs
of the city or the lands adjoining
When an individual shows particular
interest in land or business PROPOSE
ton, the matter is followed up by
continued correspondence, until he
either settles here, or definitely de-
cides not to do So A new set of books
has been opened up and all accounts
are kept up-to-date.
"The voluminous correspondence of
the office is carefully filed, a copy of
each letter sent out being retained,
so that any matter can be taken up
and handled with full knowledge of
previous correspondence.
Negotiations are pending with the
management of the Northern Pacific
Railway, whereby it is hoped to Sc
cure permission to send a representa-
tive east as far as Forsyth or Miles
City to meet the incoming trains of
home-seekers, distribute Billings lit
erature and call attention to the fact
that their tickets permit a stop of
over ten days. This matter was taken
up personally with Mr.. Johnson, of
the Yellowstone Division, from whom
no answer has yet been obtained.
If successful the same plan will be
tried with the Burlington people.
"If the Chamber of Commerce is to
accomplish it's best work, it must
have the assistance of the business
men of Billings in every way. The
secretary is making every effort to
keep informed on all matters per-
tanning to the welfare of this city
We have the time, and disposition to
handle all matters of correspondence
that might properly come within our
province. When business men of the
city receive communications in regard
to possible opportunities here, it seems
to me it would be a wise plan to
advise the secretary of such inquiries,
even though they be answered through
the office of the party to whom they
are originally addressed. Since the
present incumbent has held the office
of secretary, at least two business
enterprises of considerable Importance
have been considered by the business
men of this city and in both instances
the secretary of the Chamber of Com
merce has heard of them only in the
most informal way.
I'm one instance there was meet
ing of business men to consider the
establishment here of a manufacturing
proposition, the knowledge of which
came to me the day after, through the
medium of the public press.
"As matter of personal pride in
what to you may seem small affair,
desire to call your attention to the
fact that the secretary gathered to-
gether at this season of the year a
collection of potatoes of sufficient
merit as to get the sweepstakes prize
at the recent dry farming congress.
"In the immediate future, it is the
policy of the secretary to add to the
interest and instructiveness of the
present Chamber of Commerce exhibits
by Incorporating in the same display
of manufactured products produced in
this city. 1t is hoped that the col
lection will include sugar factory pro-
ducts, smaller specimens from the
sash and door factory, something from
the broom factory, packing house,
creamery, and Others"