Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-14

III the capital CITY Oh NhdIlc liic AouAu-
ations for great and prosperous city
have been laid. Augusta is now and
long has been primarily a residential
city: it may or may not be in the flu
ture a notable commercial city; but it
is bound to be ever and ever a great
and greater industrial city.
The Augusta Board of Trade must
be credited with creating or aiding
in the creation of the favorable condi-
lions which now exist and which give
so much Of promise for the future
prosperity of the city. The Board of
Trade always has an ear to the ground
listening for prospects of new indus
tries and constantly influences the bus
mess interests of the city in such
way as to cause year by year bet
tering of conditions with an eye to
making Augusta a desirable city in
which to live and in which to manu-
facture or sell.
President Walter S. Wyman of the
Board of Trade believes that one of
the most commendable industries
which the Board has succeeded in To-
eating in the city which it has for
years been preparing for greater bust
ness activity is the new Crossett shoe
industry, the plant for which is now
in the process of construction on the
east side of the kennebec south of
old Fort Western. Mr.. Wyman thinks
that the success of the Board in this
instance is one of the greatest If not
the greatest success the Board has
had in promoting the business inter-
ests of the city.
On April s, 1915, members of the
Board were informed that l.. A. Cros-
sett of North Abingdon, Mass, was
considering the location of a new shoe
plant in Maine. Mr.. Crossett was at
once interviewed; committees appoint
ed by the Board to canvass the city;
and with great efficiency and wonder
full eXpediency funds sufficient to buy
the site and build the factory were
gathered to hand. On May 4, within
one month of the date upon which it
was first known in Augusta that the
shoe manufacturer might consider an
extension of his industry in the city, a
telegram was received from Mr.. Cros-
sett that he had chosen Augusta for
his location and on May Is he signed
the contracts connected with the plan
approved for his occupancy OF the
new factory.
The contract to build the new fac
tory was let May u with the condition
that the structure be completed by
September /, 1915 The building meas
ures 250x44 and between 200 and 400
ln1 70 a
the plant it is to house. Mr.. Crossett
has declared that if he finds Augusta
an entirely satisfactory location tor
his shoe manufacturing he will erect
two other buildings similar to the one
now under way. The entire plant of
three factories would employ from 1000
to 1900 operatives. y.
Mr.. Wyman is a little short OF pa
thence for the member Of the Board OF
Trade who may declare that the Board
! is snot doing anything. The Board can
! do not more than its members do, Mr.
| Wyman declares. and whoever finds
| fault with the Board for its lack of
accomplishment is finding fault with
himself as much and probably more
than with any one else. He explains
l1dC bOdTu Oh 1IduS ID III ilSGA sAiii-
ply a name for a group of men who
are interested in the welfare Of the
city and are likely to make every move
possible to advance it. 1t is organized
in order that it may be ready to act
whenever opportunity affords it the
privilege; and just how ready it is to
act and how efficient it's members are
is shown most emphatically by the rec
ord of the Crossett negotiations
through which it was demonstrated
that Augusta could make the strong
est bid for a plant which every city
in the State desired and could not only
make the bid but could make a record
in presenting itself and it's assistance
The potato house which is now an
assured addition to the transportation
conveniences of the city was not
planned directly by the Board Of
Trade, but without doubt the long
continued discussion by members of
the Board in favor of the erection of
a potato house and the efforts of the
many from time to time to obtain one
had great force in the final arrange
ment for the building between Mr..
Van Allen and the Maine Central rail-
road.
AS an instance of the value Of the
organization for matters of lesser i'm
portance, Mr.. Wyman cites the Dol
lar Day" program which could hardly
have been carried through as happily
as it was except for the organization
known as the Board Of Trade And
there are other things to be accom-
plished from time to time aside from
the winning of new industries Mr.
Wyman says. For instance. the
Board of Trade is now working upon
plan for the advertising Of the city
by outside signs directing to the city
and giving the distance. These signs
well distributed throughout outlying
sections, Mr.. Wyman states. will
serve as excellent advertisements for
the city and their value will in time
to come be fully understood.
Thomas c. Ingraham, who preceded
Mr.. Wyman as president Of the Board
of Trade, is one of the most loyal and
energetic supporters Of the business
cause of Augusta. Furthermore. he
has great faith in the city as a whole
and believes in it for it's present and
its future alike. The Board is not
likely to do much for a time Mr. In