Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-02
Secretary Augusta Chamber Of Com
merce Past Three Years


Secretary Augusta Chamber Of Com.
merce Past Three Years
Secretary George c. Clarke of the
Augusta Chamber of Commerce has
Just received fattering offer from
the Pawtucket. Rhode Island,
chamber of Commerce to become
secretary-manager of the latter or
ganization beginning May LIST. 1922.
rms offer carries with it n large
increase In salary and the new posi-
ton gives Mr.. Clarke an office force
or -FOUR persons and greatly increased
faculties IN the form Of Offices and
equipment as compared with his
present position. The offer is both
a tribute to the man and to the Or
ganization with which he is now con-
nected.
Very few cities can boast Of the
record made by Augusta during the
last three years during Secretary
CIarke's administration as executive
oiflcer OF the Chamber of Commerce.
The city has gained a Statewide re-
putatlon as convention city, which
promises continued results and
greater popularity as the idea is fur
ther developed. Its place in winter
sports developed is unquestioned and
every sign points to rapid accession
to first place in New England as a
winter sports resort. Through such
devises as Dollar Days. Fall STYLE
Show and Merchants Fair, and the
Santa Claus Hut. Community
Christmas Tree, and Christmas
Greetings. the city has gained in
popularity as a retail center. the
most commanding fgure in the Ken
nebec valley. and folks have come
TO recognize that Augusta can offer
values that compare favorable with
those offered by mail order concerns
or by the larger cities. Over Is dis
tlnct achievements are listed in
Secretary Clarke's three year report
which is soon to be distributed to
ton.
The Augusta Chamber Of Com
merce, under Secretary Clarke's
leadership, has become real fac
tor in community life. Scores of
community proble&s are submitted
ia its board of directors for solution
AID practically everything that it
has ever attempted has proved a sue
cess. In 1920. when Mr.. Clarke
took up his duties here, the Cham
Der of Commerce was merely an
idea, 400 Augusta citizens. backed up
the idea and Mr.. Clarke was hired
to translate the idea into action and
results. BY dint of untiring effort.
exceptional ability, considerable
patience and generous doses Of good
nature, he has been able to bring
about that cooperation that has
made the work of the organization
a success. The record of the past
three years compares favorably with
that of any vic-commercial or
ganization in any part Of the coun-
try and very few Maine organiza-
tons can equal it.
: Mr.. Clarke has been instrumental
in bringing to Augusta its new
Kiwanis Club and he had a large
share in putting across the famous
siX-days organization campaign, the
most rapid completion of a new
kiwanis club on record, a record, by
the way. which brought Augusta in
organized the community pageant
last July 4th. and by bringing to-
getlfer all sorts of talent. which eX-
listed here but would have remained
unused except for his leadership,
performance was staged which
brought admiration from all sides.
Mr.. Clarkes ability to win friends
combined with his personal skill as
a writer and an organizer were
chiefly responsible for this success.
The Augusta characterization
Association has been another of his
projects and the Kennebec Historical
Society has had a new birth under
his leadership. He has been honor
ed. in Maine, by his fellow secre-
taries by election as President of the
1Toi MI
as Chairman of the State of Maine
Winter Sports Committee.
The secret of his success lies in
a determination to carry oot pro
jects to which he has set his hand.
He is no gutter. A Journal re-
porter, in an interview. CLEANED GER
tain facts from Mr.. Clarke's eXper-
fences which emphasizes this spirit.
AS a boy he won his way in high
school by working afternoons and
evenings. selling papers, doing
janitor work. caring for fires. and
like jobs. In college he worked
every cent of his way. starting with
only his fare and twenty-five dollars
in his pockets, and by dint of hard
work. exceptional scholarship, ana
alertness to opportunities, he kept on
to the end and came out with an
actual surplus in his possession. He
was elected to the Senior Skull So
ciety for activity in college affairs,
which included public speaking. de-
batting, managing the college publ
cation, dramatics. and glee club
work. He put his best into Kent's
Hill Seminary for six years teaching
practically every subject in the cur
"riculum. and carrying on the public
ity work of the school, He has al
ways been a student, a Veritable
bookworm, and has mastered ac-
counting as a sideline since leav-
ing college.
The matter &C accepting his res
ignatioa from the present position
will be taken up at today's meet
ing of the Board of Directors. In
his letter of resignation Secretary
Clarke points out that he expects
to prepare a careful report with
recommendations" for the guidance
Of his successor. He also states that
he feels that he ought to make the