Norwich bulletin., 1913-04-01

to strive for the general good by help 1 ing to safeguard and develop the in tefests of their city and adjacent ter ritory. It is therefore we'll for us. gen tlemen, to remember that none Of these associations reach their highest de- Velopment or their greatest effective ness unless the memb bers stand sIlOul- der to shoulder for civic and indus tldal progress.
 Growing Bigger and Better. Need T remind you that some of our fellow citizens who can always tell you how things should be, have taken keen delight in crucifying this Board of Trade for it's lack of achievement as they viewed 1t, but here we are sur vIving this censure and growing bigger and better and more influential for everything that pertains to our muni- cipal advancement than ever in our that no other organization in our city's career has had much of real ac- complishm*nt to it's credit as this Board of Trade.
 As 1 stand here gentlemen I could close my eyes and call to vivid mem ory Norwich as I first knew it. with It's unpretentious post office on the hill, its Main streets and Franklin square Without vitrified brick and in a much less clean condition than at present, no rail connection on the east side of the river. instead complete dependence on the Central Vermont road for all dy unattractive railway station at Ferry street, no Broadway theater and no Central fire station and much less at tfactlVe banking and business struc- lures along our Main streets. Tsen do 1 open them and begin to realize that we have made much progress and nave many things to be thankful for It was Longfeilow who said: Look not idly at the past. it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. 1t is thine go forth into the shadowy future without fear and with manly heart Shall we hesitate to go for ward into the future at the time when everyone has been saying that Nor wieh was going ahead.
 In my efforts to find something of interest to say to you tonight the that things were rapidly changing in Norwich but courage is always an es- sential of business life and while we all know the condition of some of our local industries and the condition of the railway systems of New England, and that a revision of the tariff is pending always a nightmare to busi- ness, let us exercise our better judg ment and realize that we must go for ward not backward; we must continue to do business and not weaken.
 Much to Encourage.
 With the remarkable improvement shown here during the past five years more than in any previous ten to my mind. we have much to encourage us and very little to tempt us to yield to the temptation of our besetting sin, pessimism and skepticism.
 1 shall not attempt to give you lot Of statistics to prove that progress for I know you are here to listen to other speakers and I will not tire you, but while we are about to entertain an Institute of State Dairymen is it not a good time for the Board or Trade in the midst of this food producing fs7cv ,t1-x~ sot ing a department of rural affairs that will encourage a greater intensifying of crop culture in this community? Not larger farms. but more farms and markets. Let us continue to striv for better city and state highways and better sidewalks. We must cooperate to sustain and encourage our local in dustrles Let us continue to send forth l the invitation to manufacturers to es- tablish within this territory and reap the fruits of unexcelled advantages, to ca pitalists to join in the development of Norwich industries to skilled and l unslllled workmen to fill the posi- 1 tions in these industries. Let Bs strive 1 to secure better railway connections 1 particularly through service between 1 Boston and New York and in addition | to these exert proportionate effort | to help in the development of the water | front and harbors of New London | county of eastern Connecticut, the |
  land. Most of us have had it borne | in upon our lives that the Grand Arch | itect of the Universe in His infinite | wisdom planned these New England | leys to be as they are one of the most | densely populated sections of these United States with freedom from ex- tremes of weather. but he has also left with us the sacred duty to stretch forth a helping hand to such portions of our great country as suffer dire dis aster, and I am sure it is Voncing the sentiment of this Norwich Board of Trade to say that our hearts are filled to overf1owing with sympathy for the suffering and afflicted peoples of the flood district in the middle west.
 introduced Mayor Murphy.
 President Macpherson concluded by Mayor Murphy who should throw open to the guests the gates of the finest city in New Eng land.
 Mayor Murphy was given rousing applause as he responded as follows:
 I wish to extend q hearty welcome to our city to the honora ble gentle men we have as our guests tonight take this opportunity to express to you my thanks for the assistance YOU are giving me as mayor of your eitT. particularly to your various com nittees who are working to bring more industries here.
 Sidewalk Improvement.
 Never before has there been SC many | asked for in all parts 1f the city as at the present time for streets and sidewalks. The 1 sidewalks. especially. are in a deplor able condition; this is something that his associa tion and the citizens in general should take up and discuss at ,ur next city meeting. Upon inves igation I find that the city has lost n litigation and paying damages a arge sum of money, caused by defec- i've sidewalks. It is about time that ,very property owner interested him elf in having his sidewalk in a 'roper condition for pedestrians and hus avoid a large loss to the city.
 We can well afford to take lesson rom our sister city of New London n the manner in which they have aken the management and control of , he sidewalks laid and made them inform all over the city to the great ,dvantage of appearance as well as the ractical use and safety of the pedes rfans.
 I would suggest that this matter of etter sidewalks be @ subject of dis usson at some meeting of the Board f Trade at some time before the next | ity meeting. To my mind this Is