New Britain herald., 1915-02-17
Directors of Chamber Nake
 Number 0f Recommendations
Civic Department Take Over Christmas Tree-Directors Authorize Prizes for Essays, Occupatonal Survey,
 Historical Museum Legislative Matters

The work of the Chamber of Com merce since it's organization was ] brought to a focus at the meeting o1 theSdirectors of the Chamber of Com. merce yesterday afternoon when they went on record on a large number o1 legislative, educational, and civic mat ters, both state and municipal. Mos of the matters settled yesterday af. ternoon were the result of the in vestigations and recommendations o1 thesCivic Bureau.
 Prizes for original research in his torical biographical, industrial, or so- 1 ciological conditions in the city ot New Britain will be awarded by the l Cham Der of Commerce to the best competitive essays written by the pu- pils of the seventh and eighth grades l and other prizes of similar character and nature also will be provided for pupNs attending the New Britain high school. A resolution urging the civic ! department to plan a scheme for the 1, distribution of these prizes was adopt ! cd by tho board of directors yesterday a1torE oon. l The civic department was instruct ed to take steps looking to the crea- ton of New Britain Historical society ~ei, \ New Britain Historical Museum fc. the gathering, presentation and maintenance Of matters, facts, relics, etc. of interests to the community "for the future benefit of the inhab- rants of the city,
 The civic department also was au- thorized hereafter to maintain annual ly4 tie public Christmas tree in CO., opera ton with Mrs. Elsie Traut dur ing tno Christmas holidays ito the end that the spirit of love, good will and harfsony shall bo increased, furthercd and perpetuated in our beloved city" :" A vote Of thanks was given Mrs. TraCt fo: her work in connection with tho movement. -.--,1.
 Survey Of Occupations.
 The directors authorized the civic department to take an occupational survey in the city, the purpose of which will be to determine the oppor- tunities for young men in the city so that they may be prepared for such work in the schools.
 .Resolved-That the Chamber of 1 Commerce does hereby tender its thanks and the thanks of the conn munity at large to Mrs Elise Traut for her gracious kindness, interest ] and energy in inaugurating, establish ing and fostering the movement known as the public Christmas tree for two consecutive years last past; that her efforts in this regard have increased the spirit of charity and good will among the people of New Britain and is movement and insti- tuition that ought to be maintained byx ans organized body such as the Chamber of Commerce Therefore be it
 The directors voted favorably on the recommendation of the directors of the civic bureau to oppose a bill before the legislature to charge tuition for High school students. It is said thak the bill is originated by the owner of a private school in this state and that it would set the advancement of education back at least a half century. In spite of it's apparent vlciousness, the Chamber of Commerce feels that it should register it's opposition to the bill.
 The directors went on record in Afavor of an appropriation providing for the expansion of the home for ln- ebrnstes and feeble minded at Lake
 
 vile.
 A resolution was passed favoring tnetaking over by the city of the work of the Tuberculosis Relief asso- ciation and making it a part of the duties of the board of health.
 The directors also voted to incor- porate under the laws of the state.
 The issuance Of a monthly bulletin giving information of the work of the committees and the department of the Chamber of Commerce was authorized.
 J. M. Hallinan a Director.
 James M. Hallinan was elected director to succeed William H. Crowell, one of the men originally elected to the board, but whose elec- tion to the chairmanship of the Mer- bcantile Bureau automatically made rhim a director second time.
 Following are the important resolu-