Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-05
BETTER THINGS .
PLANNED FOR
AUGUSTA

Commerce group meeting held in
City Building last evening under the
direction Of Judge Benedict F. Ma
her, Blaine S. Owen, Charles T.
Penney, and Keith Ryan as chair
men a great many of Augustus pri-
mary needs were presented chief
among which were:
Leading Subjects--Housing, Good
Roads. Cooperation with Farmers,
Establish Public Market, Better
Freight and Electric Car Transporta-
ton Service. Advertise Augusta.
Another series of group meetings
will be held Thursday evening and
all who were unable to attend the
meeting lest evening are urged to
come at that time.
Some of the projects suggested at
last evenings meeting were:
Some other subjects-Beautify Au-
gusta, Parks, Boulevards, Cleaner
and Better Streets AMI General
Spring Clean Up, Fairgrounds. Pub
lie Comfort Station. Educational Fa-
cilities. More Opportunities for
Wholesome Recreation, Trade at
Home, Acquaintance, Cooperation
and Community Spirit. Cooperate
with Surrounding Towns Improved
Sanitary Conditions.
AT the. assembly of all of the
groups w. Phillip Shafts, Installa-
, ton Director, spoke on the impor-
lance of a definite program of work
and the need for making this a we'll
rounded program to promote a we'll
balanced community, emphasizing
the need of personal and individual
service Of each member as being of
greater Importance than the under
taking of any material project for
Improvement.
Mr.. Shafts said in part:
THE time has come in the building
of a strong organization for Angus
ia, when we must get right down to
work and lay broad and solid foun-
dations for large and a permanent
structure. This requires real in
dividual effort on the part of each
member. The time for talking is
past-the time for action has arrived.
1t is the purpose of these group
meetings to get an expression Of
opinion from each member as to
what he considers the most impor-
tant need of Augusta, so that a pro-
gram of work may be laid
out for the Chamber of
Commerce. which represents the
expressed wishes Of the member
ship, and which will command their
earnest and enthusiastic cooperation
in fulfillment.
In thinking of a program for the
development of a community, it is
we'll to remember .the elements that
60 into making up community. A
community is like chain. Its links
are composed of manufacturing,
merchandising, education, recrea :
ton, government, the home and
morals. Each one Of these relation
ships of life must be taken Into con-
slderation, and must be developed
and made strong in order to have a
well balanced and a strong, vigorous,
progressive community. If a COM
munity uses its efforts to promote
only business opportunities, it will
become lop-sided, and life will not
be worth living, because the other
things which go to make up a broad
and satisfying existence are neglect
ed. A chain is no stronger than its
weakest link, and so a community is
no stronger. as a community, than is
the weakest phase of life in it.
What is Augustus greatest need ?
; lt is the personal service of its in.
ssVidual members; unless you re-
spond and do each thing that you
iire asked to do in the Chamber Of
Commerce, your paying Of dues will
be OF little account. The Chamber
Of Commerce cannot be a success,
nor can community prosper and
progress, unless individual service is
given.
Mr.. Shafts illustrated this point
with the following lines:
"You ask me what the old town needs
1t needs more men-more men of
deeds,
Not men who talk, find fault or balk,
But men who will give the best
they've got
To make the old town what she ought.
You say we need more factories,
more stores, more schools.
more charities,
grant it, friend,
But in the end it's men who make
them, isn't that true?
The thing this town needs most is
you"