The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-02-14
PLAN TO BOOST
CONNECTICUT
VALLEY TOWNS
Meeting of. Representatives
of Cities and Towns to Be
Held In Springfield

Boost the Connecticut Valley! This
is the key note of a huge construc-
tive movement which is already under
way and which is vitality important
to every man. woman and child re-
siding in the western portion of the
New England States, along the Con
necticut river.
Several preliminary meetings have
already been held at which the repre-
sentatives of practically every city
and town in the valley took part and
at which it was decided to focus the
interest in this big betterment move
ment at big mass meeting and ban
quet to be held in Springfield, Mon
day evening, Feb. 20, at which time
permanent organization will be af-
fected
The present committee in charge
of arrangements for the mass meeting
and banquet includes the secretaries
of the various Chamber of Com
merce, Boards of Trade, Publicity
and Advertising Clubs throughout
the valley, as well as having the sup
port of other civic groups such as
the Rotarians, Kiwanis Clubs and
civic betterment organizations.
1t is the hope of the banquet COM
mittee that there will be at least 100
guests present from each of the four
states. for it is the desire of the COM
mittee to have representative group
in attendance. The movement should
have the undivided support of the
manufacturing, financial, commercial
and agricultural interests of the en-
tire valley.
The development of the water pow
er and river navigation are two OF
the important matters which will
come under consideration of the per-
manent organization, as we'll as many
other matters all of which will boost
the entire business ramificatlons OF
the valley.
The enthusiasm already manifested
in this big get-together movement IN
dicates that a successful organization
will be completed, but to assure that
the "booster plan" may have the IN
dorsement of all, it is essential that
the first permanent meeting and ban
i quet be largely attended.
With a desire to start the work IN
an enthusiastic manner the committee
in charge of the first regular assem-
bly, has secured for one of the speak
ers of the evening, William S. Kies,
one of the founders and vice presi-
dent of the American international
Corporation. Mr.. Kies is eminently
fitted to address such a progressive
group of Connecticut Valley promot-
ers because of his vast experience in
promotional work, his knowledge OF
the great financial and economic ques
tons of the day.
Mr.. Kies' remarkable career began
in the legal department of the Chic
ago City Railways, followed by a
term as assistant city attorney of the
city of Chicago. Later he became
chief trial attorney for the city and
at the age of n was made general at
tolney for the Chicago and North
western Railroads.
Kies later became general counsel
for Chicago and Western Indiana Belt
Railroad and special counsel for the
state treasurer and the West Chicago
Park board. During this period in
his career he came in contact with
Frank A. Vanderlip of the National
City Bank, New York. After serving
his connection in Chicago he entered
the employ of the National City Bank
organizing the banks foreign trade
department.
He assisted in the formation of the
American International Corporation.
Last year, in the interests of the AM
erican International Corporation, he
made five months trip to South
America, where he made an extensive
study of commercial and financial
conditions.
Mr.. Kies is now associated with j.
E. Aldred & Company, bankers of
New York, who have done much to
develop the water power possibilities
in the state of Pennsylvania.
The committee in charge of the
first gathering of Connecticut Valley
interests feel fortunate in securing
Mr.. Kies for the banquet which will
be held in Springfield, Feb. 23rd,
(Washington's birthday, at the Hotel
Kimball at 600 p. m.
1t is hoped that wide interest will
be shown in this effort to boost the
valley and the best manner to do this
is to get in touch with the local sec
rotary Of your Chamber of Commerce
or Board of Trade and make applica
ton for your place at the table Of
these enthusiastic Connecticut Valley
boosters. If you can not secure re-
servations locally, they may be made
by addressing Clifton d. Jackson,
Secretary of the Springfield Chamber
of Commerce, Myrick Building,
Springfield, Mass.