Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-22

met In the rOOf garden OF Hotel Yer.
mont on Saturday afternoon at two
o clock for the purpose Of forming an
organization for tho promotion of tho
development OF tho Green Mountain
State Tho specific object Of the moye-
ment is set forth in the letter of In
vitation, which said in part:
There Is a growing conviction among
tho citizens Of our State that the time
has come for the forming Of a State
wide organisation which shall devote It.
self TO the general development Of Yer
mont
"Such an organization would stimulate
the activities of local boards Of trade
and commercial clubo and would lead
to the organization Of such associations,
where they do not now exist It would
supplement the publicity work done by
the state government 1t would foster
activities along lines OF progress. 1t
would study the needs and possibilities
Of the Green Mountain State"
Mr. Taylor. who read tho call and out
lined the project. said the movement
was based upon the idea that we had
come to need some central organization
to help promote the development of tho
expecting things from Vermont. which
only such an organization could accom-
plish. His idea was that central or
ganization like that proposed would be
able to help the places which have no
boards Of trade; II could stimulate in
terest in the State as a whole and in
particular It could establish a Vermont
week." embracing some Of the features
of old home week. but also including
excursion trips of residents to different
parts for the purpose Of enabling them
to become better acquainted with their
own State.
Mr. Taylor called for the formation
Of q temporary organization and this
was effected by the election Of ex-
Gov G. H. Prouty Of Newport as
chairman and w. II. Crockett of Mont
pelier as secretary.
The first topic considered was
whether It was expedient to form such
an organization, and Mr.. Taylor read
letters from a number of leading men
in different parts of the State in sup
port of the project
Ex-Gov. Prouty spoke OF the exper-
fences Of those who started the pro-
lined some OF the difficulties to be
overcome. Mr.. Crockett said Mont
pelier had already considered the pos
sibility Of forming a federation of the
existing boards OF trade under a name
embracing the whole State, and he
thought the undertaking wise.
Mr. Taylor said the plan Of form
Ing such an organization was based
upon tho idea that we needed some
central body that can represent the
whole State and that much Is being
expected Of us now in different direc-
lions outside Of the State. The scope
OF the movement was suggested by
such possible names as State Board of
Trade. Vermont Board Of Commerce
and Vermont Citizens Association. He
was inclined to favor the name Of
Vermont Citizens Association. but to
have 1t represent principally the COM
mercial bodies now In operation ana
those that might be formed.
j. L. Southwick expressed the opin-
ion that the movement should be
broader In character than would be
suggested by a commercial or citizens
association. He thought It should be
made so comprehensive that It could
take in representatives of the Hart
ford Forward Movement, and similar
projects. and he suggested that a name
which would be descriptive and at the
same time furnish Inspiration would
be the Greater Vermont Association. -
H. w. Randall Of st. Johnsbury board
OF trade said State organization could
be mutually helpful to different commu-
mites. For instance, certain industry
had been recommended to the st. Johns.
bury board Of trade as wanting a factory
mat was already to occupy, but his COM
munty had no such factory to offer with
State board of trade In operation an
application Of that character could be
turned over to central executive that
would know where to place such a pro.
ject.
Editor Charles r. Cummings Of the Yer.
monter told how his town Of Hartford
had instituted the Forward Movement. "
and ne thought the present project should
be made broad enough to take In all the
people that might form organizations for
| the purpose.
Editor w. II. Wheeler OF the Vergennes
Enterprise and Vermonter told Of the
work versennes board Of trade was &C.
complaining. and expressed the opinion
that State organization would be help.
| full In the extreme. II II were formed
upon right lines.
NJ. r. Barnes OF Chimney Point was
| confident that Addison county would
heartily cooperate In the formation OF
| State organization to promote the de-
velopment Of our State.
President W. c. Cotton OF the Montpel.
Ter board of trade believed a central or.
ganisation could holp to form new organi.
cations In towns where none now exists
and he spoke In favor of tho project out
OF his experience in connection with his
own organization.
Max l.. Powell of Burlington favoret
the formation of State organization
| along progressive lines and pledged hi,
hearty cooperation.
On motion of Mr.. Taylor It was voted
to form a State organisation. and after
heartily commencing the project Al
derman c. p Cowles Of Burlington
moved that the organization be called
the Greater Vermont association
which was unanimously voted.
President Benton Of the University
OF Vermont. whose train was delayed
came into tho meeting at this poin,
and gave the project to promote Yer.
mont's development his hearty com
mendation as we'll as enthusiastic CO.
operation.
| On motion Of Mr.. Crockett. the chair.
man was authorized to appoint a com
mittee OF three to extend Invitations
to the boards OF trade and such other
| Axi n X