Connecticut western news., 1910-12-22
FOR. BOARD OF TRADE.
CANAAN BUSINESS MEN
 IN FAVOR OF REVIVAL

Think the Town Should Bring Old
 Organization Back to Life and
 Launch it on a New Career of
 Usefulness.
 Interviews with Canaan business men concerning the prospects aud expediency of reviving the apparently defunct Board of Trade indicate practically universal desire on thepart of all who have been approached, to see the organ ization awakened to life, or a vigorous successor called into being, to promote the interests of the town. It is conceded that an organization of business men, by whatever name it may be called, if it's efforts are directed along the line of public spirited, patriotic endeavor. would be an agency for great good in the upbuilding of the community not only commercially and industrially, but socially. intellectually and morally. The suggestion has been made that for town of Canaan's size the term, Board of Trade" is perhaps too top lofty and pretentious for an organization necessarily limited i'll membership and resources, and that Business Men $ Association" would be more appropriate. The title, however. is of comparatively little consequence; the aims and pur poses, and especially the spirit animating sacil an organization, and its consistency and progressiveness are the main thing. A group of public spirited citizens, hav- ing the welfare of their town at heart, can accomplish much for it through the influence of their example, and add to its reputation as an enterprising. pro gressive and up-to-date community.
 President Harry Lyles of the old Board of Trsde, interviewed on the sub ject. said he believed there should be 8 !! progressive organization of the business men of the. town. and was of the opinion that snch an organization would not only survive but be a benefit to the town if it were animsted by purpose to work along the lines for which such associa- tions were primarily deslgned; but un- less the interest of the members was kept up, and the organization kept abreast of the times and on the alert for every advantage to be reaped for the town, it would amount to little. . Vice. President George s. Fuller said he was heartily in favor of resurrecting the Board, as such an institution is of great value to a town if properly managed and maintained. '''I would like to see the Board of trade, or 8 similar organization operating on a good basis" said he, land would suggest that its first efforts be directed toward the establishment of system of fire pro- tection, not only for the security of the village property, but as means of get ting a reduction of the present high insurance rates" #~
 Treasurer E. D. Norton thought 1t 8 good plan to revive the organization. on general principles, and hoped the old official board would call meeting. Said he: "As treasurer have on deposit about $120 belonging to the Board of Trade, which would form handsome nucleus for fund that would go toward accomplishing something"
 Judge George H. Ford was enthusiastic In advocating resurrection of the old board, as something that would help to keep the town in the front rank of the towns of it's class, and make it grow, in size and importance.
 J. Henry Roraback said he was ready to cooperate in the resurrection of the organization, and thought it ought to be done. and the sooner the better.
 Fred Collin, ex-town clerk, earnestly advocated a reorganization of the Board as progressive move, and to keep the town from losing the prestige it Ina gained. He argued for the establishment of fire department, which could be organized more readily by the organized and systematic efforts of an association of business men than in any other way.
 Dr. Ross, ex-seleetman, favored the revival of the old board. He said the existence of such an organization in town was sign of enterprise and public spirit, and that to let it stay dead would be to give the town 8 black eye on the score of it's lack of progressiveness.