The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-01-29
Belfast Board of Trade.

Recommendations by the Presi-
dent. Appointment of Com
mittees.
At largely attended meeting Of the Bel
fast Board of Trade last Friday evening, Pres
ident Morris L. Slugg gave the following adj
dress:
GENTLEMEN OF The BELFAST BOARD OF TRADE:
regret that owing to my being in the midst
Of our busy shipping season | have re-, been un.
able to give to the subjects that will submit
for your consideration as much careful
thought and attention as / would like. How
ever, it is not the thoughts that may express
tonight that will mean the making OF the
Board of Trade during the coming year. Tor
there is no doubt that there will be more I'M
portant thoughts expressed at our future
meetings. May say. however, that the sug-
pestions that have to offer are those that
seem most important for the present moment
| assure you that it is my earnest desire to
make these meetings place where the people
of Belfast will come and tell the Board Of
Trale what they think are the important
things for the welfare of the CITY, we want
their views and opinions, and we want taem to
feel free to come and express them here. If
they will do that. it will give US an oppor-
tunity to render them such assistance as they
may require, either as individuals or as COM
munity.
1t is not necessary that dwell at length on
the advantages of corporation, for we ali
know the need of that if we are to make any.
thing success. more especially as Board OF
Trade But want to say that it is highly i'm
perative that we have larger attendance at
cur meetings, and if we are to have that. We
must have a larger membership. l. would
therefore propose for your consideration the
ACCESSIBILITY of reducing the annual dues OF
membership. would like to hear arguments
ON this subject at our next regular meeting,
and would suggest that the secretary send out
notices to that effect, and let everyone who is
interested in the Board of Trade come and ex-
press his opinion on the matter.
l would also recommend that an active cam
paign for members be made during the Food
Fair.
There is project before the people of Bel
fast at this time that should receive the sup
port of every citizen in the city, and would
earnestly recommend that the Belfast Board
of Trade render every assistance in Its power
to the company made up of public spirited
men, and all others connected with this worthy
movement, and thus show them that we ap-
preciate the efforts that they have put forth in
working out plan whereby Belfast is to have
a real school house. / cannot emphasize too
strongly the Importance of our awaiting our
selves of a great privilege and splendid OPP
portunity to ally ourselves as Board of Trade
with work that will earn, for its promoters
and those that support it, the gratitude, not
only of the present hut of future generations.
This would have been splendid opportunity
for the Board of Trade, but since the honor
cannot be ours let US heap honor on those
who so richly deserve it
There is no getting away from the fact that
mental suggestion has great deal to do with
great success in life. Therefore, am going
to repeat myself on one subject occasionally
Just to try mental suggestion. For that reason,
i am going back to the subject of getting out
larger attendance.
1t has been said a good many times: "Why
what has the Board of Trade done? What
good is the Board of Trade? What do they
do for the individual? They do not do me any
good in my business" and many other like
Statements For that reason, l want to i'm
press,as forcibly as possible, that the place to
make such talk is right here in the Board of
Trade rooms We are here for the purpose of
listening to any citizen of Belfast. or from any
other place, if he has something to say that
will benefit Belfast. We want them to express
their opinions here, for unless we know what
they want now can render assistance? l
would recommend at this time, that we stop
knocking, stop complaining, and stop finding
fault with the things that are done, and start
to commend those things that have been done.
Let US drop the spirit of criticism, let us CO.
operate in the spirit of enthusiasm. l am not
SO sure but that it would be good plan for
the members to bring us, each meeting, the
criticisms and the concentrations that they
have heard during the period between meet
ings.
/ had splendid opportunity few weeks
ago to get an expression of opinion from the
people down the "Reach." In every instance,
they expressed most kindly feeling for the
people of Belfast and seemed disposed to
want to trade with US and | certainly believe
that we have more than equal chance of
getting the trade from there if we will only
go after it. They deeply appreciate the efforts
that we have put forth in establishing steam.
boat route between Sedgewick and Belfast.
We can add to the good work by exerting our
influence, and working for the establishment
of mail service from Belfast via the present
steamboat line.
l would suggest that the Board of Trade
work up and carry out a systematic campaign
for the advertising of Belfast. A poster cam
paign worked out along the lines would prob
ably be very effective, and bring about the de-
sired results
While l believe that Belfast as whole
stands well up in the lists of cities that have
clean and attractive widows, may l suggest
to the merchants of Belfast that special
effort be made whereby their reputation will
II,
until we become known the city of clean
and attractive windows, for such windows are
a splendid means of advertising.
We must not forget that old, yet ever vital
and important subject, farmers market, in
Belfast. This / know has been talked over
many times in the past, but the subject needs
talking and it needs active work. therefore
think the time will come when by constantly
keeping at this subject, market will be es-
tabished. l therefore recommend this for
your consideration.
Rooms: this is another old subject. How
ever the time must come when we will have
them. May l therefore ask your consideration
of this subject along the following lines: that
we procure suitable rooms. on the ground floor
near the central part of the city, and by max
ing proper arrangements with a public ste
nographer, assure their being open, and pro-
vide for q portion of the expense. Such an
arrangement would permit the men who come
to Belfast saving of time, and thus an in
creased opportunity to transact business. 1t
would also have tendency to convince them
that Belfast is progressive and up-to-da
city.
While the plans are not prepared for pres
entation at this time, may l recommend for
your consideration the holding of a municipal
Christmas tree? From what have been able
to learn from other cities on this subject
find that not only is this a splendid opportun-
ty for community to show the spirit of
Christmas. but it also has it's advantages as an
advertising feature, especially in getting
people out on the streets on Christmas eve.
MY next recommendation is pet idea which
l have had ever since coming to Belfast. How
ever. firmly believe that after the new