Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-23
New London Considers Consolidation
Business Mems Organization Wants Take in Board of
 Trade-Fne Department Furnishing Plenty of Sub jects For Discussion. .1y

association, never in a more progress sive mood than at the present time and having under consideration many matters of special interest for the future success of the city, has the time to revive that old merging idea and is making endeavor to have the New London Board of Trade disband or lose itself within the busy portals of tha New London Business Mems association. Just what benefit would accrue by the disbandment is not very plain. The business association has gradually extepded it's scope and fin- ally usurped the work that was ordin- arily performed through the board of trade, the latter body yielding in order to avoid conflict between the two or posed to be the general advancelnent of the best interests of the city. In consequence the board of trade has les- sened it's activity. being content to work by committees and not show any disposition of opposition to the bus mess mems association.
 This merging was tried several years ago and there were several con suitations between committees repre- senting both organizations. It was decided that consolidation was out of
 
 one of the organizations that was no part or the other, and it was also de- cided that it would be well for the New London Board of Trade to main- tain it's organization, even if inactive, as there would be times when repre- sentatives of two organizations would have more force in some public mat | ters that would one. At that time 1t was set up that the older organization of the two was the one that should continue to exist and that the other organization was the one that ought to lose it's identity. It was then learn ed that such a thing was not even among the possibilities and the agisa- tion was ended.
 The committee having this merging business in hand reported that it had not been successful and at the meet ing Tuesday night the committee was continued as it was declared that all hope was not lost. The only reason given by the committee of the New London Business Men's association for the merging was that it might in- crease the membership of the bust- ness association came from the board of trade. and that includes practically all of the active members of the or ganization, most of the balance being members in name only, or those who have no desire to be associated with the New 1CnOOn buSlncSS MSn 5 dSSO- citation and are content with being enrolled as members of the board of trade. Therefore the consolidation, merging or disbandment of the New London Beard of Trade would not be beneficial to the business mems asso- citation. There are members of the board of trade who will never consent to the scheme and perhaps it would be well for the active members of the business mems association to devote their spare time to matters of more importance concerning the welfare of New London.
 After giving the matter mature de- liberation the general public is com vinced that the proposition that em- anated from the foreman of the baby company that the city pay a stipu- lated salary to the drivers of the sew eral motor-driven fire apparatus, is just a trifle out of order at the pres ent time. and will continue to be SC just as long as the volunteer f1remen render efficient service. It is con- ceded to be the entering wedge for 8 paid fire department and had it's origin in jealousy and aimed directly at the Niagara engine company, which, with its modern fire apparatus and trained fremen has been doing the greater part of the fire duty. For the past fourteen years the Niagaras have had motor-driven fire apparatus and up to !. a year ago owned it's own machine although it was under the direct ord CTS of the fire chief, the fire commit tee and the court of common council Just the same as any city owned fire apparatus.
 During that period the city has all lowed that company the same amount of cash for each run that was paid te liverymen who furnished horses fol the apparatus of the other companies The interest taken in fire department matters by this company has resulted in tho very highest degree of efficiency and on par with any paid fire com pany in the state. This company does not ask for a change in plan of pay ment of drivers although it has two Of the most competent drivers in tht department. The company has beer repeatedly called upon to pay for tht service from company funds ana without murmur of complaint. There have been many months, like the pre-. sent, when there has been no call fol fire duty, but the drivers received their pay just the same and from company funds.
 The next company to secure motor. driven apparatus was the Pequots who purchased a machine at a cost O. $6,e00, the city generously donat.ns $l,000 towards the purchase, Ina company has never asked the city tS pay the drivers. being content witt l the same arrangement that existed with the Niagaras and the apparatus is under the direct control of the fir, officials as is any other apparatus il l the city That company will not sub init to the city raying it's drivers, a, ] it would tend to lessen the interes that is necessary for the success of s volunteer fire department. | ------ ! This Northwest compans that hal