The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-07
Strong Board
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me. to strive in my humble way to fill
this, honorable position in the manner
this great organization deserves.
feel that this is fitting time TO
call your attention TO some OF the
facts in connection with the growth
and work Of this body. It is an honor
to Fairmont, to say that we have the
second largest Business mems Asso-
citation in the State Of West Virginia,
although our city's population is no
better than Gfth or sixth as compared
with the other towns in the State.
This fact is significant that Fair
mont has more wide awake business
men per capita. then any other city IN
West Virginia. Our first year since
the reorganization OF this body Show.
ed n membership of 1914, OF which IA"
maid dues for the year We close the
second year with IT'S members, ana
with the best of prospects for a fur
ther steady growth.
During the past year we have adj
mitted to membership. the live bust
ness men of Fairview, Barrackville'
Pennington and MOnongah. We are
glad to have them with Us, for they
make our Association just that much
stronger and better. We are glad to
report that some OF our most vide
awake members live in these towns.
Some seven or eight months ago
] we inauguratrd our rating System--a
system which has been adopted by not
more than one or two other cities IN
the State The work Of This system to
date, as far as ! have oil served. has
been highly satisfactory 10 all who
have made use Of its advantages. More
than 5000 persons. with $4,000 ratings
have been made.
Our delinquent lists are of great
value 10 every merchant and business
man In the Association. We have
"cut out practically NIL the wild cat
advertising, in various questionable
mediums. where the advantages were
little or noue to our business men. In
matters Of legislation, | need not re-
fer 10 recent incidents as they are
! fresh in your memory; suffice 1t TO,
saw that. even if we did not gel new
legislation fully satisfactory to ALL
that OR committee who visited the
state, Capital did all in It's power
toward the cnecting OF the passage OF
such laws as our business mon want.
There seems to be an erroneous I'M
preston abroad among n few OF tue
citizens Of Fairmont, as 10 the work
ings Of this organization. I have heard
that we are accused of getting together
and fixing higher prices, as well us
various other accusations. Now, Gen
tlemen. YOU all know these charges are
absurd and groundless. II has been
suggested that our Printing and Pub
1iri,v Committee take this matter UP
and try TO present the facts to the
public, in manner that will convince
them that we are, Instead Of a menace,
a great factor. in the np.buildinS OF
Fairmont, and that this organization
will never. through any Of its actions
make it hardship for tn" honest and
desirable citizens of our town
want to say that in reality we are
doing the fellow who plans to beat u.s.
n kindness in making him pay ms
debts, and il We could impress on the
honest WORKING man, the Importance
of kcening his credit good that our
rating system, instead Of being
menace and hardship on him, can
he an agent that will assist him great
| ly inStvlnS him the proper r"''llS w.
fore the business people o! this or any
other town where he may locate. In
other words, he can go 10 amy local
ity and take with him letter Of in
PRODUCTION from orr Secretary. that
will Immediately establish his credit
To sum up the work of the past
year. feel that our record is one that
| we need not be ashamed OF. We have
accomplished some things. but best of
all. we have done much to help along
that feeling Of good fellowship. that
Get Together" spirit, which Is SO
yitally essential to any community's
success.
on the Threshold Of another year,
\ Ii want to apbealsto every one here to
! 40 alIfN isispower for the success Of !.