The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-10-27
The Belfast Board of Trade.
Holds an Interesting and Important Meet
ing. Plans Made For Future Work
and For Ranuuet

ing. Plans Made For Future Work
and For Banquet.
The Belfast Board of Trade after summer
rest, has laid the foundation for vigorous and
aggressive campaign in the interests of our
city and county: At meeting held Wednes-
matters were brought up and discussed and
plans made for future action. President o. E.
Frost presided and after the report of Secre-
tary Dorman had been read and accepted
thanked the board for the honor conferred in
electing him president at the annual meeting
which he had not had the opportunity of doing
beforehand his subsequent remarks indicated
that he is the right man in the right place.
Referring to our most important local indus
try, the shoe factory, he said that he had in
vited Mr.. Walter c. Shaw to attend this meet
ing and make statement regarding present
conditions. He then called upon Mr.. Shaw,
who said he had no set speech, but would pre-
sent some facts for consideration. In the
seven and one half years that he had been in
charge of the factory here the output had
doubled. They were now shipping from 1000
to 400 pairs of shoes day, and were behind
on their orders The fortnghtly pay roll was
now s., 900, or over 100000 per annum. More
room was needed for handling the business, as
inability to fill orders must necessarily result
in loss of customers. He had looked about
with view to seeing if some part of the work
could be transferred to another building but
had concluded that it was not feasible. If the
additional room could not be secured Leonard
Barrows might be compelled to take their
business elsewhere. Personally he hoped that
would not be necessary. Mr.. Shaw was asked
what Leonard & Barrows wanted, but said he
was not authorized to speak for them as to
that He was then asked if Mr.. Leonard
would not confer with representatives Of the
board, that they might learn just what was re-
quired as basis for action, and said he was
sure Mr.. Leonard would be pleased to do so.
On motion the committee on manufactures
was instructed to confer with Mr.. Leonard at
the first opportunity and report to the board.
President Frost then spoke Of the possibility,
he might say the probability, Of the establish
ment of new industry here, a sardine factory,
and called upon Chas. A. Horton, president of
the Roller Bushing Co. Mr. Horton said that
about three months ago the senior member of
the firm of Pike Bros. of Eastport and Lubec,
looked over the property of his company, and
had recently called again, accompanied by
brother and Mr. Peacock, who appeared to be
a practical man in factory construction. If
they located here they would buy only part
of the property and would not use the present
buildings, but would erect factory of steel
and cement construction, 225 by 60 feet No
price was named and no offer made for the
property, and when Mr. Pike left here he was
going West on business. Mr.. Horton was
asked if the Pike Bros. wanted any induce
ments to locate here and said he did not know
what they expected. He believed the firm
was strong one financially and abundantly
able to carry out anything they undertook.
They seemed pleased with the location here
In reply to question Mr.. Horton stated that
Mr.. Pike said they would employ $50, but did
not say what class of help. 1t was the senti-
ment of the board that it should be made
known to the Pike Bros. that they would be
welcomed here by the business men and they
have already been advised by letters from
several representative citizens. The matter
was referred to the committee on new indus
tries.
<President Frost ten presented several mat
ters for the consideration of the board and
upon which action might be taken later He
spoke of the potato industry of Waldo county
and the need for starch factory. Farmers
had come here from other sections and shown
that potatoes could be as successfully grown
here as elsewhere, but the grower has no way
Of disposing of the small potatoes. With a
market fer such potatoes, and it would be
material aid to growers in this vicinity Then
as to a market for country produce he thought
that arrangements might be made with Boston
houses to buy all the country produce brought
in. AS to the locating of manufacturing in
dustries here he was informed by the manager
of the Penobscot Bay Electric company that
horse power, which with the excellent ship
ping facilities by both land and water, should
make this very desirable place for such in
dustries The matter of hotel .-as also
brought to the attention of the board If the
Eastern Steamship Co. makes this port one of
arrival and departure for the Bar Haroor
travel they will want to know as to our hotel
accommcda tions. Because of unfavorabe
weather or other reasons travellers may want
to stop over here, and there is also call for
hotel here for summer visitors.
Another suggestion from President Frost
was that the board have banquet, with
speaker, as means of getting our business
men together This met with the unanimous
approval of the board. 1t is proposed to have
the banquet at an early day and it will prob
ably be given in Memorial Hall. The follow
ing committee was appointed to have full
charge of the affair: James H. Howes, w. L.
West, Ralph H. Howes, Ben D. Field, S. A.
Parker.
The matter of membership came up and
committee composed of S. A. Parker, ]. H.
Howes, Alex Lindgren, C. A. Harmon and
Ralph l. Morse was appointed. 1t is hoped to
enlist every business man and every public
spirited citizen in the work laid out for the ad-
vancement of Belfast.
DR.. W. L. West spoke of what other places
have done in the way of advertising by means
IS \ i l Al