Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-14
Frank W. Burke Given Prize.

JOuu D. 0ldQlOn reported TOT Cn6 educational committee on the matter of awarding prizes for essays by high school students on the farmers insti- ute recently held in the town hall. MT. Stanton said that there was but one essay. which. however. was an ex- cepuonally good piece of work, and that the prize was awarded to Frank w. Burke,
 One Cent Letter Postage.
 President Macpherson made an ap- peal to the members for assistance in building up the business of the city. He explained the purpose of the Ma tional One Cent Letter Postage asso- citation, showing how much greater rate was paid on first class matter than on other classes of mail matter. I believe, said President Macpherson, that the Norwich Board of Trade should lend it's assistance to this movement for a proper readjustment of postal rates.
 Frank H. Smith said he was heartily in favor of a movement for reduction of first class letter postage. In view of the fact that Postmaster General Burleson is considering a readjustment of rates. MT. Smith said such a read justment should precede demand for one cent postage, and that he felt that greater efficiency was more important just at present than lower rate.
 Frank J. King spoke in favor of one cent postage and said that last year first class mail matter showed profit to the government of 62 mil lions, which was used to cover a de- fciency in second and third class mat ter. Mir King said he felt it unfair for users of first class service to pay for the service of users of the other class es. It was voted to join the assoc;a- tion by a large majority. only two or three voting against 1t.
 President Macpherson exhibited a odEarfiSirc fha 0ilNy nd ho hoped that the members of the asso- citation would use them on their iet- ters. Thermos booklets were also on hand for distribution to such members as desired them.
 Speaker is Offered.
 President Macpherson said that the next business mems lunch would be held next Monday noon and that a speaker was offered by the municipal service bureau of New York to ad- dress the Board of Trade. Frank J. King suggested that the speaker be invited to an evening meeting rather than to the monday gathering on ac count of lack of time. so it was decid- ed to do this.
 Wants to Locate JeweIry Factory.
 Secretary Tibbitts read several let ters from a Providence man who de- sires to establish a jewelry factory here and who suggested that the Da- venport building would be suited to his business. The name of the per son, who said he was a native of this city, was not made public. The let terS stated that the writer had made up his mind to establish in Norwich and only wanted the cooperation of the Board of Trade and was not seek ing financial backing. He said he had intended to establish a business in Providence with a capital of S10,000, but that 1t would be necessary to in crease this to $50, 900 if he established in Norwich At first fifty skilled hands would be employed. but in two years the number would be increased to 200. He wished to be located here by July l.
 President Macpherson said that the matter should be turned over to the new industries committee and hoped that they would make every effort to bring the concern here.
 Criticism Over Increasing City Light
 Commission.
 General W. A Aiken was asked for 8 report on the matter Of increasing the board of gas and electric comnliS- sioners from three to five in number. The general criticised the manner in which the bill providing for this in crease had been passed through the legislature without a petition, without action by the common council and without a hearing of the interests of the city. He said that the manage ment of the commissioners had been efficient in the past and there could be no just criticism of their work The increase in number he qualified as big business mistake, making the com mission unwieldy and opening ir to greater personal or political differ enCe.
 General Aiken said that he felt that a great injustice had been done by one member of the Board of Trade who had appeared at Hartford and stated that the people of Norwich had no con- fdenCe in the present commission and that confidence would be restored by an increase in the commission.
 Increase Is a Mistake.
 Frederic w. Cary spoke in support of what Gen Aiken had said and stated that he felt the increase a mistake He said that the people of Norwich have every confidence in the present commission and that detailed reports of the finances and condition of the business are printed regularly for the benefit of the public and that the pub lie does not even bother 10 read them Whether politics were to enter into it or not could be told when the new men are appointed in a day or two
 President Macpherson said that the municipal plant had shown the city a good profit, had reduced the cost of gas and electricity to the people and that this city had the best service in these commodities of any city in the state He said that he had never heard expression of anything but con fdenCe in the present board of com missiOners. He told of his visit in company with a number of others to Hartford in an effort to have a refer endum attached to the bill so that the people of Norwich themselves might decide whether or not they wanted an increase in the commission A refer endum clause was prepared and placed in the hands of the local representa- of it. He said that the com than to see that the people of Nor wich had their choice in regard to the commission. If the office of commits sioner is to become a political one and the commission governed by party feeling then the future of your muni- cipal plant is endangered. In the past the commission has been composed of able conscientious, religious men and I trust and hope that the additional members who will be appointed will be just as worthy of our support as the old members.
 Laurel Hill Bank UnslighIy.
 E. c. Jewett spoke of the unsightly appearance of the land belonging to the Haven road above the tracks along Laurel Hill avenue and suggested that the City Beautiful association take steps to have the underbrush and de- brts cleared and the trees on the prop erty trimmed. He said that the rail road was willing that the work be done but did not wish to stand the