Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-07
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Thanked by Eclipse Company of Ros- ton for Aid-over $500 Pledged in Dues-Meetins Thursday Evening.


 The Putnam Chamber of Commerce moved into it's new office Thursday, held directors meeting there Friday, and received many new applications for membership during the week just past. The meeting of the body Thurs day night will have much important business laid before it as a result of the activity of the officers.
 The membership campaign has been aggressiyely carried on by the mem bers. Since the dues were raised this year, the present members as we'll as many new applicants are signing up to indicate how much they will pay. The dues now are $2 $5 $10 and $25 an- nually. the privileges being the same, and the only difference being the amount of money that the individual feels able and willing to give to ad- vance the work of the organization. By Saturday night over $500 in dues had been pledged, with about half of the present members yet to hear from, and scores of good prospects not yet seen
 This is gratifying to the officers, be- cause that sum had been set as the minimum on which 1t would be possi- ble to do business, and the chances appear good for enough money to go forward with a more comprehensive programme.
 The new offices in the Union block, above the postoffice, formerly occupied by B. M. Barney, are already proving their usefulness. w. c. Kennedy, county farm agent, has his desk there, as the rooms are used Jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the Wind ham County Farmers association. Jo- seph l.. Ryan is in charge and keeps the offices open all day and is avail able both as stenographer and clerk for the two associations. A private wire has been installed by the tele- phone company. No. 3S0, with a listing for each organization. Several meet the location has proved convenient for informal conferences.
 A letter was received Saturday from the Eclipse Manufacturing company of Boston thanking the Chamber of Commerce for the help given the com -pany in locating in Putnam. They will ] take possession in a few days of at least one room of the shop, and the rest at very early date Neither of the partners will reside here for the present. but the man engaged in Ne York as an instructor of helpSwin move here at once, and so will about dozen skilled workmen, all married men. It appears as If an impetus to building houses might result.
 At the meeting of the directors Fri day evening reports were made by A. D., Lown and c. S. Andem of the vis- its made to the textile schools at Low ell, Fall River and New Bedford. A committee consisting of these two and J. W. Sherry, Alexander Gilman and Archibald Macdonald was appointed school situation and offer suggestions for it's development. Some definite ac- ton will be proposed soon.
 Thursday evening the principal bus mess before. the meeting will probably be deciding what is the most important thing for the Chamber of Commerce to turn its hand to first. There are a number of subjects under discussion, including proposals for a new charter for the city, possibly involving consoli- dation with the town and a commission form Of government. The president was instructed by the last meeting of the association to appoint as strong a committee as possible to take this question up. Revaluation of taxable property has also been urged as a most important subject. The opinion has been put forward that Putnam would present even more obvious advantages to prospective new industries if the valuation was made lower, so that the tax rate should not appear to be higher than 1t really Is as compared to actual values. Others urge that questions of more immediate return, like garbage disposal, should receive attention first The officers take the stand that they are the servants of the members and lIIdl Qu6Sl1OuS OI SuCn importance should be decided in open meeting. Therefore they say that they will ask the members to decide what should be 1 taken up first, and this decision will be made at the meeting at Odd Fellows l hall Thursday evening. In accordance with the vote passed at the annual | meeting, postal card notices will be sent to all the members, and it was voted at the recent directors meeting to send the same notice to all who have signed applications. Their names will be acted upon early in the evening and thus the new members will be able to take their part at once It Is expected | that over 75 names Will come up for action at this meeting.