Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-14

Thirty merchants of Norwich. with more to follow, "a meeting in the town hall on Friday afternoon enlisted in a plan to hold what is to be called a merchants week here from April 18th to 18th, inclusive, in which the primary object Is to demonstrate this city as the natural trading center of . this section of the state. The plan is one that has been carried out with great success in other cities from which reports have been received by the local committee that has been con- ssidering the matter for two weeks, ,mak ing a report on Friday that was ac- cepted and fits accommodations adopt ed.
 The number already enlisted is ex- pected to be considerably increased as inc result of further work by the com- 11attee appointed. The thirty to sign already are: Branche Bros H. M. Le- Ndu. The Porteous & Mitchell Co, John D, Conbes, '. E. Marshall, William Fr4ewell, Grover & Caron CO, Maurice Sample Shop, Schwartz Bros, Brook 3Jrn Outfitters, The Reid & Hughes Co. F ", Woo1worth Co., City Lunch, Dis 70 Bros The Eaton Chase O., William rrrachtenberg, Breckenridge & Elem ming. CranSton x Co.,. Shea & Burke; W. c. Bode. H. R. Woodward, Frank Bsl1. George A, Smith. Murphy & NcGarTx. N. s. Gilbert & Sons, M. RxwFsxan, W. A. Son1ers, R. F. Smith, James c. Macpherson
 Originated With Norwich Woman.
 Tine meeting was called to order at 2 o'clock by James c. Macpherson, and he was elected permanent chairman. He explained that the origin of the movement had been with Norwlch woman who proposed a plan for a 1nn- 1ricfpal bargain week, which, however, did not meet Wtth the approval Of a
 h s1azEs F iQ an had started something, and the re- sulf was a plan which would be pro rosed for a ''InerchaI1ts' week from Saturday, April IS to Saturday, Apral 2S, thereby providing for two SatuF- days in the period.
 He called for Secretary Herbert B. Cary to read the minutes of several meetings of the special committee on tEee matter.
 Explained the Plan.
 Mr. Cary was elected secretary of the meeting and John NJ. Lee, chairman of the special committee of eleven, eX- plained the plan for merchants week which Is intended to demonstrate Nor Hich as 6 trading center and to snow the mercantile advantages of the city
 He sad that tlse effort was to be to bring out of town people to the Cty, and for those that come in merchants week 1t was proposed to make 6 re- hate of their rpIhoad fares. This would be arranged on a sliding scale. de JYerd1ng upon the distance they had to travel and the amount of the pur- essaees, For instance, person com YrsE from New London by trolley, where the fare boeh ways would be 70 cents, would be entitled to his fare on pur- chaees of SS, and if he came on the railroad, where the fare is 50 cents, his purchase to entitie him to a fare re- hate would have to be SIP Purchases could be made at any business house subscribing to the plan and the aggre- gatea mount would be reckoned in al lowing the rebate of fares The fare rebates 1ou5d be made through a, cen tra1 clearing house.
 not been decided but it was under stood the Thames National bank stood ready to offer facilities
 Meeting Expenses.
 The preliminary expenses Of the plan fl was estimated would be between s41e and $500 and would be borne by assessments upon the business houses, according to the number of employees they had. IT fifty business houses were in the plan II was figured that $475 might be raised by the following ap- cor7sonanen4- Class A-Egnploying over 2, five at SEQ each, 800 Class C. Ehnp&oying from five to ten ten at $1a each, $11a- Ctass-Eznp4oyin from five tn ten, s1b each, s10o. Class D-Em-