The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-01-14

dale and Mortified people to trade is
Brattleboro. We should make every effort
to keep their trade coming to us. This is
perhaps a good time to allude to the fact
that keene, Greenfield and North Adams,
all OF which draw in part from the same
territory that we do, have active Cham
bers of Commerce, which are known to be
doing everything in their power to pro-
mote the interests of their communities.
/ Among those who offered opinions at
the above hearings there was not one who
was not outspoken in his belief that the
organization should maintain its present
quarters. These rooms not only max an
excellent home for the Chamber of Com
merce itself and for the Farm Bureau,
but they provide a meeting place for all
sorts of committees and other OrganiZa-
lions Of n semi-public nature. To be of
value, however, they must be kept open
at regularly stated hours and they must
be provided with proper facilities for serv-
ing not only the members themselves. but
all visitors desiring information pertain
ing to the towns resources. A list of
available rooming and boarding places
should always be kept on hand. as we'll
as detailed information concerning all
available industrial locations.
Suggested Changes in Constitution and
Bylaws.
While our hearings revealed a differ
ence of opinion as to the need, of making
changes in the constitution and bylaws,
it may safely be said that.the majority of
those who were here were in favor of
going back to the nameof Board of Trade,
and of providing for the nomination OF di-
%rectorS by means of a specially appointed
committee instead of through the primary
vote now provided by the bylaws. The
suggested changes. however. are not of
such Importance as to need immediate ac-
ton, and probably could be taken mn inst
a. WnIi NJ thp animal nnanfsnn -
As at the present time. In this connection
1T might be said hat the particular adj
vantage in having a committee to make
nominations is that such a committee can
make up its list from MEMBERS who will
serve if elected. The fact that the Board
OF Trade has been without a president for
nearly a year is in all probability due TO
the election of a board of directors who
had no previous knowledge that they were
likely to be chosen.
Budget Needed 10 Function Adequately.
The amount of money needed to support
the organization depends on the policy
adopted. To maintain the present rooms
and 10 carry on the clerical work neces-
sary TO make the rooms worth while
would necessitate approximately 81. 700
per year. Possibly it could be done for
n few hundred dollars less. provided co
operative arrangements could be made
with the Farm Bureau and the Red Cross.
L II uHltnidDIN true tnaL the COntlnJ-
ahce or the organization on a successful
basis demands the employment of some
paid leadership. The time has passed
when members feel able to give so freely
of their time as was done in past years.
1t is possible that in its present inactive
state the organization is not in a position
10 give the necessary support and cooper
alton OF a trained executive. particularly
one who was not familiar with local con
dIuonS and would nave to depend in a
large measure on the assistance of the
president and board of directors during
the first year of his incumbency. Conse,
quently. If 1t is possible to obtain some
paid leadership on Il part time basis this
might be resorted TO for part of the first
year with a view to the subsequent en-
ployment of a full-time executive who
would make the organization the sort of
a machine which would be of most value
TO the town and would most efficiently
utilize the support given it.
II 1t decided merely tn maintain the
present rooms and suitable clerical help,