Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-02
CHAMBER SECRET ARIES GIVE
LIGHT ON PROBL EMS OF Retail
MERCHANTS, WATERv|LLE meet


One of the biggest meetings of its
kind ever held within the borders of
the State OF Maine was, given at the
Elmwood hotel yesterday noon by in
vitation of the Waterville Chamber
Of Commerce. The gathering consist
cd Of representatives of the various
civic commercial organizations and
was called a conference of the Maine
Organization Secretaries. Its purpose
was not only to bring out and discuss
the problems Of the retail merchants,
public health officials and others, but
perhaps the greatest topic of the day
o. at least the one in which the most
interest seemed to be centered was
that of the discussion of Maine as a
winter resort through the channels
of winter carnivals given by the diff
fcrent cities in the various localities
of our domain.
Luncheon was served to the party
in the private dining room after
which the meeting was opened by a
few brief remarks by George G.
Clarke, president of the organi-
zation. In his remarks he stat
ed very clearly what the organiza-
ton stood for. He said, I'VE stand
for development Of community and
State and are ready to back all en-
terprises which will tend to make the
State of Maine grow larger and more
powerful"
Leon 0. Tebbetts, mayor of Water
Vile and president of its Chamber Of
Commerce, gave the address Of well
come. The mayor said, "Waterville
should be congratulated on having
meeting of such Importance. We
are very proud to have you here with
us today, and l assure you it is q
pleasure and fills my heart with
pride to have the privilege of well
coming you.
"Watcrvilie congratulates itself on
its educational advantages. We have
one of the best colleges in the State
besides a leading preparatory, q
Glass A high school and a high class
Of elementary schools. We are en-
;cying besides nearly 100 new homes,
approximately $2,000,000 of new
buildings. These will add greatly to
the attractiveness of our city.
| During the last 10 years this coun-
ty has increased it's population by
900 but Wateryille has gained $500
| during the same period of time. The
secretaries are now in q splendid
condition to do work in Maine and |
advocate that we advertise the State
tor some other purpose than play
ground Maine with its vast re-
sources should be advertised to the
business man throughout the nation.
Once more let me extend to YOU q
| hearty welcome
The first address of the afternoon
was by Charles + Marble of Winthrop
Executive secretary of Maine Re-
tailers Association. Mr.. Marbles
subject was 1.-THE ltinerant Vendor"
He said in part, "A lot must be done
IN the state on the part of the mer-
chant to square himself with the pur-
chasing public. He must ma lie it
! clear that he is their agent to get
what they require from the worlds
markets. There should be not only
truth but the whole truth in adyer-
Using. We are not trying to build up
around our state a great wall of pro-
h:btion but welcome all who appear
OF an equitable basis" Mr.. Marble
explained to the secretaries the pres
| ont law regarding the taxation and Ii
ccnsing of the itinerant vendor. He
stated that the case as far as he could
see was fully covered by all phases
Of law. After his talk he was ques-
toned by several of those present,
many of whom seemed to think it an
unfair proposition that q man could
come in from another state and sell
goods from samples having the same
rights as the local merchants and not
have to pay the same ratio of taxes.
During Mr.. Marbles address he stat
ell that the remedy of the merchant
against the mail order business is
making his own business of such a
quality and kind that no one will
think of ordering from q mail order
house.
The next speaker was Walter D.
Thurber of the Maine Public Health
Association. whose exposition of the
Maine Public Health Plan was re-
ceived with great interest and en-
dorsed by the gathering in a vote of
| endorsement, vote which is given
only in rare instances and when the
plan endorsed is of vital and state
wide Importance.
The meeting then turned itself in
to conference on winter sports
which is treated more fully elsewhere
in this issue. This part Of the con-
ference took the better part of two
hours and resulted in the appoint
ment of a permanent winter sports