Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-10
and Forward.
Looking Men of Augusta
Gather at Union Hall in Pre-
liminary Step Towards Or.
ganizatiOn of Live Civic
Body


with resolution and determination,
filled Union hall Friday evening at
a smoker held under the auspices of
the Augusta Chamber of Commerce
campaign committee for the purpose
of communicating the facts and
benefits resulting from such a civic
commercial organization.
In presenting the fundamental
facts relating to the benefits to any
city resulting from an active Cham
Der of Commerce, Ralph e. Marden
of Manchester, N. H., principal
speaker stated that a Chamber of
Commerce welded together the COM
munity into one big cooperative in
fiuence for the benefit of their city.
THE welfare of the whole means
the welfare of the individual and the
welfare of the individual places up
on him responsibility for the well
fare of the whole. 1t is his duty to
see that the welfare of that whole
is improved and enlarged" stated
Mr.. Marden forcefully.
The meeting was called to order
promptly at o'clock by Hon. Willis
E. Swift, chairman of the executive
committee of the Augusta Chamber
of Commerce, c. F. Bilodeau was
called upon to lead the large assem-
bly, in a few lively songs and the re-
Spouse Immediately scared forth In
enthusiastic volume.
Robert A. Crosby campaign man
ager of the Augusta Chamber OF
Commerce read the following poem
after he was introduced:
Maine
You're lust a rugged, homespun State
Perched on the nations edge,
A stretch of woods. of fields and lakes
OF ocean-poundcd ledge.
But ragged deeds and rugged men
You've Eurtured for your own;
Much good the world has harvested
From broadcast seeds you've soWn-
And so, we love you, rugged state,
We love your smiling skies.
We love you for your deep-piled SHOWS
Your Jagged coast we prize.
We love you for the lofty seat
You're reared meath heavens dome:
But best of all. we love you, Maine.
Because you're Maine-and Home!
Lester Melcher Hart.
Secretary to Gov. Milliken.
He then briefly spoke regarding the
campaign. There are only two things
at this time that will make the CAM
paign go wrong he stated. One is the
COMPOUNDED Maine poker face. A
Maine man could go to d funeral and
horse race the same day and no
one could tell but what he enjoyed
them both. Just forget the poker
face for behind it lies the same emo
tons that actuates us all, enthusiast
tic emotions that should be allowed
to come forth and help boost the city.
The second thing is that we are con-
servative. and rightly in many ways.
We believe in the conservation OF
up in city they must have
healthy city to grow up in. 1t is
costing Maine a fabulous sum to edu-
cate her young men and women and
for what? Just to have them go out
of the State. Every boy has new
tangled notions TO conquer new
worlds and he goes where he thinks
his notions may materialize. They
should be taught that right here lies
the opportunity they want. The re-
lation of the Chamber Of Commerce
has to conservation is that it is sim
ply collective thinking. 1t is simply
n bunch of men welded together who
have a plan and also have the energy
to carry out that plan.
The next speaker called was Mayor
Martin who stated that he personally
wished to endorse this Chamber of
Commerce. He believed 1t not only
a duty but privilege of every citi-
zen to join, and in the joining would
be doing as they have done in the
past, keeping Augusta in the front
ranks of progress.
Ernest A. Gray, superintendent of
the Eaton factory was called. He
told how the increased cost of power
the last few years has changed the
aspect of the manufactures of the
State, and he sketched the powerful
water supply that was in the State
waiting to be bridled and used. He
also spoke Of building operations.
Although building costs are high we
still can build if we go about it right.
The Chamber of Commerce will take
up these things broadly by arousing
interest and holding it.
John e. Hanson of the Hume -NewhalI
Co. was called and stated that il the
Chamber of Commerce did nothing but
hold the spirit that has characterized
the people of Augusta for the past few
years it should be sufficient to induce
the cooperation of every citizen.
VI.
cd to speak a few words. The Chamber
of Commerce is a great idea and we
need 1t, he said. He stated that he
found Maine was rather conservative.
We hesitate to strike out into some new
condition but when We get started we
get somewhere. We should have a play
ground for our boys and girls of the
city. he stated. The biggest asset the
city has are those same boys and girls,
and they should have an opportunity
to express their budding energies on
the playground.
The principal speaker of the evening
was then called, Ralph L. Marden, for
mer president of the Manchester IN. HI
Chamber Of Commerce.
He stated that the time will como
when every city and town in New Eng
land will be organized strongly and thor
oughly. and then New England will be
placed in tho position In the United
States to which it is entitled and the
United States will he the better for It.
Fundamentally the problems of this
city are much tho same that other cities
have had to contend with Every city