Norwich bulletin., 1921-12-07
REPORTS YEARS WORK Ia
CHAMBER or COMMERCE

ShAhDGR VI
Secretary. Joan }. Oflfour.,e OF tne
NorNi-cn C;aamDer Of Conta1-.l. has
comDned an distributed a 'Nely crso-
itaDie report Of the cAamoer s acuViues
Turing the past year. Inc report repre-
senls the nlst years work OF tae reo.-
ganized cnamOer. In the re.,ort rssii.s
attained through the cnamDsrs aca,l-
ties curing the year are summarized as
! follows:
Taxation.
Made extensive investigation. and
founn that an inequitapIe and unbusl-
nessiihe system prevail 5. ASSESSORS have
not the proper tools and c.eric4 assist
anee to function properly. First requi-
site is an assessment map. PetItioned
for an appropriation not 10 exceed S.
coo to secure a basic map. Once this
map is. secured. its complete develop
ment Should follow within 4 few years
Sidewalks and streets. 4
Endorsed the action Of the mayor in
the bona issue OF $4,000 to be spent
! during next three years for building
permanent highways leading into the
city,. Recommended to the public works
| eontnittee that an an al system
program for rebuilding streets be put in
to effect. Also that permanent repair
: crews be engaged to maintain good
streets i'll proper condition. The i'm
preyement of sidewalks and the building
OF new Sidewalks in many sections Of
! the city is a difficult ocal problem ana
one that will involve further investiga-
| ton. These improvements Will require
larger appropriations than are given the
street department at present the neces-
sity of which should be given fair con-
si1eratiop by the voters in city meet
ing.
The Housing Problem
Investigations disclose the fact that
most successful increased housing ac-
commodations were obtained in other
cities through the cooperation. Of indus
try. Industries built houses for their
werkmen and sold them at cost. Hous-
ing schemes in other cities were stud
led A representative of the chamber at
tended the national housing conference
in Bridgeport and reported housing ef-
forts elsewhere. The committee believes
the best results can be obtained. under
local conditions, though the sympathy
and cooperation of our financial inter
ests. The committee endorses the Nor
witch Building & Loan Association as an
excellent method to assist in the allevia-
tioa Of this pressing problem.
Industries
The chamber co-operated to retain the
Vaughn foundry in Norwich. This in
dustry remains an asset to our commu-
nifty. Efforts were also made to rehabil-
itate the cigar manufacturing industry
in Norwich. Approximately fifty cigar
makers were formerly employed in this
> city at an annual payroll Of $4,000 tc
$4,000. At present scarcely 4 dozen are
: regularly employed. Earnest efforts
j were made to interest fourteen indus
E tries TO locate IN Norwich during the
past year,
Educational Facilities.
! The chairman OF this committee mad,
survey OF school-housing conditions
: and found that several were overcrowd
l.. ed and needed additions to properly
j house the children. The chamber CO
], operated with the school board TO secur
: an appropriation Of 100000 10 buil'
e the new Mt. Pleasant street school an
: purchase adjoining property for sehoo
: purposes in Preston.
4 Modern Lighting System.
6 The chamber endeavored to secure q
$ appropriation of $4,000 for the installa
: ton of fifty. lights in the business sec
ton OF the city and known as a Whit
n Way. The type Of standard propose
! was similar to those being installed :
q other cities at present and Is the mos
d approved type known. The removal {
: overhead wires and poles. particular
> In the business section, was subject {
\ consideration.
y Freight and Passenger Facilities.
= Chamber cooperated In securing dali
: delivery Of freight from Boston. Prov
= dence and New Haven. Six conferences
:. have been held with the New Have
> railroad officials as TO better passeng'
- service, the restoration Of an evenin
:. train from New London, connecting wit
r the p. m. train from New York cit
= being strongly urged. This matter
= pendins. The chamber rendered assis
!. anee IN the resumption of local boz
= line service 10 Block Island from No
vich during the summer. Also secure
:. prolonged experiment for lats ev'
% ming trolley to Central VILLAGE lack
sc patronage cancelled the new schedule
other Activities
as The chamber ce-epersted with the R