Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1910-03-04

Putnam Business Meas Associates.
The annual meeting of the Business
Mems Association will not be held I'M
til May, although there may be spe-
cial meetings called al any time before
then.
Al the annual meeting there should
be matters of great importance pro
sentedt for discussion TO attract large
company Of citizens. There are many
subjects of deep interest TO the people
that should be taken up and discussed
before they are TO be acted upon. The
city charter should be amended TO
meet the advanced ideas Of municipal
|. government. We will only mention one
Of these We deem Of much importance,
and that Is, after electing the Mayor,
Common Council and perhaps rress-
urcr : the score Of other city offices
should be filled by appointment Of the
Mayor and approval Of the Council,
and changed at any time when found
unsuited for the duties. Then the citi-
zens will know who Is accountable, as
they cannot know now, because the
most of the voters are not acquainted
with but few of the candidates. There
can be no objection offered TO this
change by any one desiring TO see the
city ruled by men who know they
must do their duty or give place to
others one who will. As the method is
at present the Mayor is helpless to Sc
cure faithful service from subordinates
who neglect their duties.
II any citizen favors improving our
charter, and will mention wherein, We
shall be glad to print 1t. There are
other changes demanded to make the
charter what ii should be.
There are other subjects that ought
to be openly discussed, ,but these will be
named later. For the present we will
give some things discussed by other as
sociations Of citizens.
The annual meeting of the Norwich
Board of Trade was held, in connec-
ton with Banquet, last week Wednes-
day evening in that city. The principal
speakers were George b. Chandler, who
told of municipal reforms needed and
urged the importance Of Trade Schools;
Professor J. G. Monaghan of New York,
spoke on Industrial Education; Presi-
dent Tracy of the Board of Trade, spoke
on The Opportunities in Norwich.
President Tracy referred to magni-
ficent domain of 200 acres which had
recently been presented to the city for
"Park purposes, and when developed
of health and delightful place for re-
1t will be the pride of our city-a source
creation
We only wish that President Whea-
ton may be enabled to have the joy of
announcing, at the coming annual
meeting, that our city has also receiv-
ed gift of land for park purposes from
some generous hearted philanthropist
that will be made the pride of our city
and an everlasting memorial 10 the
boIlofs
President Tracy also said of the Nor
wich city charter: 1.-The present one
has no friends-not even among the
politicians; it has outlived its useful
ness, and there is no body of citizens
more fitted to take the lead in this
matter than the members of this Board
of Trade.s
We hope that also will be the an
nouncement Of President Wheaton al
the coming annual meeting.
President Tracy also referred to troll
ley extenion: 1.-THE trolley lines have
been the most direct factor in the up
building of tho retail trade of our city.
Various extensions are proposed for
our city lines, and all should have care
full consideration
The same consideration should be
given by our Business Mems Associa-
tion, and every business man in the
city not connected with the Associa
ton, to the matter of trolley lines. We
have charters, east To Rhode Island
and also to the west, which, II built,
would greatly increase the business
prosperity OF our city. The day Is not
far off when western and eastern rapid
transit will be inaugurated. No body
of capitalists are as interested as our
city business men and the land own
ers on each proposed line. II is use
less TO wait for capitalists to take up
such work until there is movement on
the part of those TO be directly benefit
ed that will indicate willingness to
bear their share Of the responsibility.
There was much more said and done
on which we might comment, but the
above shows. the drift of the Norwich
Board of Trade.
We turn now to the town Of Mans
field, which In 1920 had a population
of 1888, but in 1900 only SIS. But
they are a hustIing body, and have
Board Of Trade doing the same work
as planned by our Association. At
meeting Of the Board last week three
subjects were discussed. One Of these
was the Boards effort 70 have the bill,
now before the Legislature, passed 70
relieve town, cities and State from pay
ing any part Of the cost Of abolishing
grade crossings, unless they petition 70
have the work done.