The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-04-15

Many times the question has been
asked, "Why doesn't the board OF
trade ret new industries = oppofinn'
iiies for news industries of qnestionahlr
character are too numerous 10 mention
aud We have questioned the ndNisabii'
ity OF recommending even Tor consih'
efaiion propositions that have come 10
us, aud We ar. proud 10 say that We
have no experience liz. that of neigh
boring town 10 record; but We are hop
ing when matters can be- Thoroughly
wor ked out 10 bring % the citizens OF
BrattlehOto an opportunity 10 ineren"
our populaiion and industrial interests
by a large manufacturing plant. In
referene. 10 this matter. | have some
data which ! will read later this even
ing.
The social features Of the pas, year
have been few. ~ Il general meeting
il was unanimously voted that We have
good banquet, and no doubt every
member here present remembers our
banquet held Nov. 10, ai which We
were favored with a very fine address
by Charles ". Bosworih of Springfield
aud talks by local speakers.
II has been my privilege to repre-.
sent our organization at the annual
Springfield boards Of trade aud also Ia
attend = banquet given by the Boston
chamber of commerce 10 the president
Of the United States ON Sept. ~, This
last invitation WAS an especial honor
10 BrattlebOr0. our board Of trade be
ing the only one In the state thus rec.
opnized aud one Of seven outside OF
BoSton In New England. aud i was
certainly an occasion TO he long re-
menbered by those present.
4 very happy occasion, winch We
considered Of value 10 us, was the Brat.
tleboro iunkct of the Springfield board
of trade at which time 2l1 representa-
tive citizens Of Springfield came to
Brattleboro by special train. having
arranged for their own sleigh-ride ana
banquet. The directors deemed tins OF
sufficient importance that every, effort
was made to make their visit pleasant
aud TO show them Brattleboro hospital
ity; and from the reports received we
think that our guests returned Wen
pleased with their reception, ana l
only regret that II was impossible Tor
every one of our members to have been
able to Join with the few in showing
them the apprcciation we felt in their
selecting our town for such AN outing.
work that has been done In the years
past. such as assisting in maintaining
the rest room. looking after the nm
provement of our village, etc. IN al
dition to securing better fire protec'
iion. the adjustment of insurance
rates, the investigation of our electric
lighting, the doing away with the
smoke nuisance on Nam street by
securing from the two railroads orders
prohibitinp excessive smoke from the
engines while passing through Brattle'
boro. aud such other matters as are
now under consideration and not com
pleted which will tend 10 benefit the
community as a whole.
What other organization among the
score or more in our town would nave
the moral courage to take the lnitla'
tive in these matters and brlng tnem
TO the notice of the public without rear
| or favor! Surely no other organization
could carry the weight or influence
! equal to this board of trade made up
of our representative business men.
Our membership wear ago was iJ9.
II il now l7s. which is very gratifying,
and | hone that our organization may
he in favor so that other citizens may
desire to ioin our ranks, bringing our
Membership up to 200 before another
year passes.
II is with sorrow that we are obliged
to record the loss during the year by
death of four of our valued members;
George W. Pierce. Oscar NJ. Lawton,
LEROY r. Adams and Charles ". Dun
ham We shall miss them ana grate
fully remember their loyalty to our
hoard of trade and to all that stood fof
the GOOD of Brattleboro in the days
gone by.
wish to express my appreciation
for the assistance | have received from
the board of directors in their attend.
ance at the meetings, and while several
committees have had little to do they
have performed all duties eheerfully
whenever asked.
No words of mine can fttingly ex-
press the credit that must be given to
our efficient secretary, Mr.. George r.
Fox In no small measure do we owe
IA him every achievement of the past
wear. he has been alive to every sub
iect and has been faithful to every
duty.
A board of trade Is power in any
community. In other cities it is this
organization that outside people seek
when they desire information on any
subject relative to the conditions ex-
istinm in that city. Its success de.
pends upon the LOYALTY and support of
its members. and | hope that our mem
bers will take greater interest in the
affairs of our board of trade and lend
their moral influence if the cannot
devote very much time to promoting
or assisting In the dh'ias .gf ths stSan;
iZgtj6u and When a meeting IA called