Norwich bulletin., 1914-11-14

With good sized representation CT members in attendance, the Norwich Business Mems association held their annual meeting in Buckingham Memo rial on Friday evening with the presi- dent in the chair and with the secre- tary, Charles W. Pearson, at his post. The meeting was called to order by the president, and the roll was called by Secretary Pearson Then: followed the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, which were accepted and placed on file.
 Reports from Convention.
 President Branche then called on the delegates to the state convention at Waterbury for report. William H. Cruickshank in making his report as 8 delegate spoke of the change in name of the State Business Men to the State surprising to see such a large number of delegates gathered from all over the state. Robert McNeely, another dele gate, spoke of the gathering as a nota- bic one, and William D. Woods was also called upon to make Q report as a delegate. Secretary Pearson reported that there were delegations from 27 as sociations at the convention, and he also referred to the report on the agri- cultural and rural work which was given by President H. R. Branche nf the local association.
 Frank H. Smith, the chairman of the new industries committee, reporte that the committee had not been as active the past two or three months as in former times. as the present did not seem to warrant activity. He said that although they have had several inquiries there was nothing of a defi- nite nature to report at present.
 Secretary Pearson's Report. . The next report was that of Secre- tary C. W. Pearson, covering the ac- dvities of the past year. Secretary Pearson's report showed that the pre- eht membership is POT, gain of 49 the past 12 months.
 The report, which was a glowing one, was accepted and ordered placed on file.
 Treasurer's Report.
 The report of the treasurer was then read by Secretary Pearson, and 1t also was accepted and placed on file. Tae report showed that there had been re- celpts during the year of $1,40632 and expenditures of 1.351.78, which leav ss a balance of $54.54.
 President Sranche's Report.
 President .Branche then made his annual report as follows:
 To the Board of Directors and Mem
 bers of the Norwich Business
 Mems Association:
 AS president of this body, my stew ardshtp ceases tonight and naturally you expect me to give you a report of progress made during the year and such recommendations for It's future development as seems most consistent with the general conditions of our city and the growth of our organization. @ 'uT secretary has given you concise and detailed report of the activities within the local body during the past wear, of what has been accoupIished here at home, but he has not attempt ed to tell you how this association stands within the state body or how it IS regarded when placed in comparison with similar organizations, some 40 Tn number, around the state In order that vol may be informed, will read rom President Johnson's report made before the annual convention held in Waterbury October 15
 Hero the president read the follow ing extract from President Johnston's report:
 ''1>he largest increase in membership during the year as reported is shown by the Windsor Business Mems asso- citation with a splendid result of 100 per cent increase and also has the lar gest percentage of members to it's vol ing population-T per cent.
 Norwich is splendid second in fn- crease In membership, showing IT per cent increase, and while it's percentage as to voters Is somewhat smaller, l
 
 the most thoroughly alive and progress sive associations in New England.
 Putnam has taken @ new lease of life and shows SC per cent increas with 10 per cent of all its voters enroll ed as workers.
 "WethersAeld shows the second lar gest percentage of voters enrolled, l6 percent, with an increase in member ship of 15 per cent. It does prove just what have contended for several years, that the local Business Mems associations of today in almost every city and town have completely out grcwn its purely mercantile member ship of former years and is actively interested in the civic and general business development of it's community and and occupying ecu, much broader field
 Continuing his address, MT. Branche said:
 It is not through the efforts of any one man that the Norwich association has grown to its present size, but rath- CT through united and efficient team work and my purpose. tonight in. calling your attention to our presidents re- port fs for the purpose of calling your attention to the important fact that you are @ part of an orTaniZation that carries more weight than just what appears locally and that the Norwich Business Mems association Is looked upon today in tf1e state as one of the brightest and most progressive among all the local bodies
 Our advanced step in organizing the New London County Improvement lea que. the first in the state. has attract more attention to this body than any other movement ever attempted by this association and we are receiving much favorable comment from with out as we'll as within our own ranks. I wtzh also to touch briefly upon our afhEation with the Eastern Connecti- cut Development committee.
 We have held and had representa- tAons at seven meetings during the year just ended as follows: Three at Nor wich. two at WiIlImantic, one at Dan. ielson and one at New London. The