Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 44, 1889

Commerciai, History

In a sketch limited as this is we can expect to give only the briefest mention of the more important commercial enterprises which make Fitchburg a business centre of considerable note. It is true that the numerous large manufacturing establishments, which have been dwelt upon at some length in a previous chapter, are the mainstay of Fitehburg's prosperity; but her business-houses, banks and various other commercial organizations are also of great importance, though in a somewhat different way.

It seems proper to begin this chapter with a brief account of the railroad corporations, which unquestionably have been the most important factor in developing our natural resources and mechanical and commercial interests. Each one of these corporations is deserving of a more extended notice, but such would be beyond the scope of the present history.

Transportation Facilities. - Fitchburg is an important railroad centre. In a previous chapter the opening of the Filchburg Railroad, in 1845, has been spoken of. It was followed three years later by the Yermont and Massachusetts, and about the same time the Cheshire Railroad was put in operation. A few years later the Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad was constructed, and still later the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Railroad commenced operations. Of late years railroad consolidation has been the rule, and the roads centreing in this city are no exception to it.

The Fitchburg and Worcester, and Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg are now divisions of the great system operated by the Old Colony Railroad Company, and give direct communication between this city and Worcester, Boston andall thecitiesof Southern Massachusetts, with close connections for New York City and the South.

The Fitchburg Railroad has grown into the great " Hoosac Tunnel Route," having leased the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, purchased of the State its great " bore," the Hoosac Tunnel, and railroads this side of and beyond the Tunnel, and now controls and operates about three hundred and fifty miles of road, most of which is double-tracked. This line gives the citizens of Fitchburg quick and direct communication not only with Boston and the central and western parts of Massachusetts, but also with Chicago, St. Louis and all the great Western cities. It forms one of the trunk lines between the West and the seaboard, and offers great to shippers of freight.

The Cheshire Railroad is intact at the present time, though probably, at no distant date, it will be absorbed into the Fitchburg system. This road is operated from Bellows Falls, Vt.,to South Ashburnham, Mass., and reaches Fitchburg over the tracks of the Vermont and Massachusetts Division of the Fitchburg Railroad. In connection with the Central Vermont Railroad, it offers a through line to all points in Vermont and Canada and is the shortest line from Boston to Lake George. Considerable Western freight comes over this road from the Central Vermont and Grand Trunk Railroads.

Over fifty passenger trains arrive daily at the Union Depot in this city, and heavy freight trains are almost constantly passing through, and it must be evident from this account, brief as it is, that the people of Fitchburg have no reason to complain of the facilities afforded them for traveling and transportation.

The Fitchburg Street-Railway Company. - This company was incorporated April 10, 1886, with a capital of $60,000. Work was at once begun, and so rapidly was track-laying prosecuted, that the road began business July 1, 1886, and has proved a paying enterprise and a great convenience to the public. Henry A. Willis, Esq., is president of the corporation. The road is three and a half miles in length, extending from Sanborn Road, in West Fitchburg, through Westminster, River, Main and Summer Streets to the Fitchburg Park, near the Lunenburg line. Extensions have been authorized, and will be made before long, to Waite's Corner, in West Fitchburg, and the city farm in South Fitchburg. The road is well supplied with first-class cars, and upwards of forty good horses are owned by the company.

The Filchburg National Bank. - This is the oldest in town and has previously been spoken of as the Fitchburg Bank, chartered in 1832. It was reorganized in 1865 under the National Banking Act. It has a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. The bank began business in a small granite building which, in 1853, was replaced by a brick banking-house, where business was carried on until 1871. In that year the bank removed to its present commodious, and even palatial, quarters in the Fitch, burg Savings Bank Block. Since 1871 the old brick bank building has been used by Crocker, Burbank & Co. as an office.

Hon. Ebenezer Torrey was officially connected with this bank from its commencement - the first twenty-seven years as cashier and after 1860 as president. Francis Perkins was the first president, and served until his death, in 1859. Mr. Torrey was elected his successor and held the office until his death, September 3, 1888. October 22, 1888, Brigham N. Bullock was elected president and H. G. Townend, ca>hier.

Rollstone Bank. It was reorganized into a national bank in 186.5, and has a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. Its first banking house was a small granite building, standing on the site now occupied by the present handsome Rollstone Bank block, which was erected in 1869. Since 1869 the bank, in connection with the Worcester North Savings Institution, has occupied well-appointed and commodious banking rooms on the ground floor of this block.

Hon. Moses Wood was the first pre.sident of this bank and served until his death, in 1869. Alvah Crocker was then chosen president and served until January, 1873, wlien Henry A. Willis succeeded him. Mr. Willis still holds this position and has thus been officially connected with this bank for over thirty years, being cashier from 1858 up to tlie time he was chosen president. Wilbur B. Tenney has beeu cashier since 1881.

The Safety Fund National Bank. - This bank was organized April 17,1874. Its capital is $200,000 and surplus $34,500. Business was begun July 1, 1874, in the second story of Bekling & Dickinsons Block, and in March, 1875, was removed to its present location in Crocker Block. This substantial and handsome block was erected by Hon. Alvah Crocker, under an agreement for a twenty years' lease of the banking rooms to the Safety Fund National Bank.

The first president was Henry Allison, and the first cashier Frederick F. Woodward. In 1883 Mr. Woodward went into the grain business, and resigned his position as cashier. He was succeeded by George K. Tapley, who held the position until his removal to Springfield, early in 1888, to engage in other business. Joel G. Tyler, who has been identified with this bank, as book-keeper, since September, 1882, was appointed acting cashier until April 30, 1888, when the present cashier, Walter S. Jenks, was elected.

Mr. Allison has held the position of president up to the present date. Previous to the organization of this bank he was connected with the Fitchburg National Bank for some ten years, and has, therefore, had an experience of twenty-five years in banking.

The Wachmett National Bank. - This bank was incorporated May 20, 1875, chiefly through the efforts of Hiram A. Blood. Its capital at the start was $500,000, but was subsequently reduced one-half, leaving its present capital $250,000 and a surplus fund of $250,000. Business was begun June 1, 1875, in the rooms lately vacated by the Safety Fund Bank in Belding & Dickinson's Block. January 1, 1876, the business was removed to their present bankingrooms in the new Wachusett Bank block, at the corner of Main and Day Streets.

The Fiichbxirg Savings Bank. - This is by far the oldest savings bank in town, and was incorporated February 12, 184G, and went into operation on the 3d of the following June. Its business was done in the Fitchburg Bank building until 1871. In that year the Savings Bank erected the Fitchburg Savings building, the largest and most costly business block in the city. The Savings Bank has since then occupied spacious apartments on the same floor with and adjoining those of the Fitchburg National Bank.

Its first officers were Francis Perkins, president, and Ebenezer Torrey, treasurer, the same officers as the Fitchburg Bank had. At the present time Hon. Thornton K. Ware is president, Charles J. Billings, treasurerand Andrew Jewett, assistant treasurer. Deposits, October 31, 1888, $2,372,453.45. Number of depositors, 5888.

Worcester North Savings Institution. - This bank was incorporated May 26, 1868 ; organized June 13, 1868; began business July 6, 1868. Hob. Moses Wood was its first president and Henry A. Willis, first treasurer. Its banking-rooms are in the Rollstone National Bank building, in connection with the Rollstone National Bank. Since Mr. Wood's death Augustus Whitman, Benjamin Snow and Lowell M. Miles have served in the office of president. Mr. Miles resigned in 1886, and Hon. Amasa Norcross was elected to the office, and holds it at present. Henry A. Willis is still the treasurer, and Benjamin F. Wallis is assistant treasurer. Deposits, July 1, 1888, $2,593,309.15. Number of depositors, 6795.

The Fitchburg Co-operative Bank. - This .savings institution was incorporated October 27, 1877, as " The Fitchburg Co-operative Saving Fund and Loan Association,'' but July 1, 1883, this name was changed, by legislative enactment, to the simpler one given above.

There is not space to give in detail the method of conducting business in this institution, but it is certain that its good influence has been very marked, for many persons have been induced by it to begin the saving of money in a small way. It has tended to encourage industry, economy and thrift, and well deserves the prosperity it has had in the last ten years.

Dr. Jabez Fisher has been its president from the beginning. George E. Clifford was treasurer during the first four years of its existence, and was succeeded by Charles F. Baker, who has since held the position. Joseph F. Simonds has acted as secretary during the life of the bank. His oflice is in a room of the Rollstone Bank building, and monthly meetings of the shareholders are held there for the transaction of business. '

The Fidelity Co-operative Bank. - Early in the year 1888 the idea of starting a second co-operative bank in town took shape, and April 23, 1888, the Fidelity Co-operative Bank was organized. At that time George E. Clifford was chosen president and Frank

D. Page treasurer. The bank started with one hundred and forty-nine charter members and one thousand seven hundred shares subscribed for. It has a room for meetings and the transaction of business in Croclcer block, and is a thriving institution.

The Ftichburg Post-Office. - The Filchburg postoffice was established July 1, 1811, and on that date the first poi^tmaster, Jacob Willard, was appointed. He was succeeded January 1, 1813, by Calvin Willard, who seems to have held the position until November 7, 1825, when' David Brigham was appointed.

In those early days the post-office was kept in private dwellings. In 1827, when Mr. Brigham was postmaster, the office was in the "Abram Dole house " for a time, and soon afterward was removed to a dwelling-house, further down what is now Main Street. This house now stands in Wesleyan Place, in the rear of the. old Methodist Church, and a trace of its former use can now be found in the letter drop, in what was once the post-office room. A wheel about two feet in diameter, provided with alphabetical divisions for holding letters, was all the equipment used.

The next postmaster was Mark Miller, appointed by President Jackson, October 9, 1834. He removed the office to his book-store and printing-office, opposite the tavern, which occupied the site of the present Fitchburg Hotel. Mr. Miller soon resigned his position, and left town.

January 21, 1835, Nathaniel AVood was appointed, and held the position upwards of sixteen years. During his service the post-office wa.s twice moved - in 1835 to a building nearly opposite the present Sentinel office, and about 1846 to Shepley's bookstore, in the Torrey & Wood block. Call-boxes were first used in the early part of Mr. Wood's service.

May 3, 1851, Goldsmith F. Bailey, Mr. Wood's law partner, was appointed, and held the position two years. He retained the same location as his predecessor, and Mr. Shepley was his assistant.

May 4, 1853, President Pierce appointed John Todd postmaster. The office was soon after removed to much better quarters in the new town-hall building. Mr. Todd's assistant was Charles G. Giles. On account of his removal to New York, Mr. Todd resigned, and January 21, 1857, Joseph W. Mansur was appointed postmaster by President Buchanan. He was re-appointed February 21, 1861, but soon after was removed by President Lincoln. Mr. Giles remained his assistant for a while and was succeeded by Henry Allison.

who appointed Colonel George E. Goodrich to the position October 16, 1866. Colonel Goodrich was reappointed March 3, 1871, and February 24, 1875. His assistants were Alfred A. Marshall and Charles E. Wallace.

November 18, 1872, the post-office was removed to its present location in John M. Carpenter's building at the corner of Main and Church Streets. It was formerly the "Trinitarian Church," but was purchased by Mr. Carpenter in 1871 and entirely remodeled for the use of the post-office.

February 10, 1879, President Hayes appointed General John W. Kimball postmaster and he was reappointed February 7, 1883. He retained Mr. Wallace as his assistant through his eight years of service.

In 1882 extensive alterations were made whereby much-needed space was added to the post-office accommodations. During the repairs the office was removed to a store in Spaulding's Block, corner of Main and Grove Streets.

In November, 1884, the free delivery service was begun with five carriers. Many of the call boxes, which were no longer needed, were removed, thus giving more room for the business of the office.

The present postmaster, Frederick A. Currier, was appointed February 22, 1887, after a spirited but good-natured contest by four candidates. Mr. Currier retained Charles E. Wallace as assistant postmaster and nearly all the clerks and letter-carriers. An additional carrier was appointed September 1, 1887, and two more August 1, 1888, making eight carriers employed at the present time.

The business of the Fitchburg Post-office is shown by the following items from the returns of the office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, which were kindly furnished the writer by Mr. Currier: $24,914.19 received from sale of stamps, postal cards and stamped envelopes; gross receipts from all sources $26,222.5U; 15,886 money orders and postal notes issued or paid, amounting to $102,625.29; 6761 registered letters or packages handled; 1,917,045 pieces handled by the carriers; 3716 letters advertised; 938 special delivery letters delivered, and 716 special delivery stamps sold.

The Fitchbtjkg Board of Trade. - This is the older of the two mercantile organizations in the city, and was formed in May, 1874. In 1876 the Board of Trade moved into its present rooms in the Post-office building.

ganizations, and its membership includes about every uierchunt in town. It was organized March 24, 1886, and Daniel Cross, the senior merchant in business here, was its tirst president. Regular monthly meetings are held. John F. Bruce is now its president.

Telephone Exchange. - The FitchV.urg Exchange of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. has been established nearly ten years. The use of the telephone was introduced here by Eliot L. Caldwell, who was manager of the Exchange, 1880-82. The central office is now at 162 Main Street, and F. E. Bowker is manager. This Exchange includes, besides Fitchburg, the towns of Leominster, Ashby, Lunenburg and Townsend, and there are some three hundred subscribers.

The Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company. - This company was incorporated March 22, 1847, organized June 29th, and began busines's September 1st of the same year. Its first president was Hon. Nathaniel Wood, who held the position during the next twenty-six years, and was also its treasurer for twenty-four years.

For nearly twenty-five years the company's office was in the Torrey & Wood block ; but soon after the completion of the Fitchburg Savings Bank block, the office was removed to the fine suite of rooms at present occupied by the company in that building. Hon. Amasa Norcross is now president, and Edward P. Downe, secretary.

The Massachusetts Mutual Aid Society. - This is strictly a Fitchburg institution, as far as its officers and management are concerned, though its certificates are now spread over a wide extent. It was among the first mutual benefit societies started in this State, and was incorporated February 17, 1879; and its tirst certificate was issued March 26, 1879. It is a purely mutual association. It has an emergency fund of over $5,000, over 2,500 outstanding certificates in force, representing nearly $5,000,000 of insurance, and has paid about $200,000 on account of death claims. Its membership has grown steadily, and the society has a high standing in insui'ance circles. From the first, it has been managed by prominent business men in this city. Henry A. Willis, its first president, served five years. He was succeeded by Henry F. Coggshall, who served three years. Henry A. Goodrich succeeded him and still holds the office. Festus C. Currier has held the office of secretary since the society was incorporated, and his efficient work has contributed greatly to its prosperity.

The United States Masonic Accident Association. - This association, incorporated September 1, 1887, insures only Masons between twenty-one and sixty years of age. Its membership, at the present time, is about five hundred. Hon. Eli Culley is president; General John W. Kimball, vice-president; Charles S. Perry, secretary, and Joel G. Tyler, treasurer.

was recently started in town by Mr. A. O. Hall, who secured rooms in Wixon's block for the purpose. The present regular college year began September 4, 1888 with a good attendance. Instruction is given by Mr. Hall and competent assistants in book-keeping, banking, commercial law, short-hand, type-writing, telegraphy, &c., and the college has already made a very prosperous start.

The foregoing comprise the most important financial and commercial institutions and organizations at present existing in the city, and are all that we have space to mention in this chapter.

We will now briefly take up the business houses in the most important lines of trade in Fitchburg. It is, of course, not expected that a complete directory of all who are engaged in the different branches of trade will be given in the succeeding pages, but only a brief account of the business houses that have, for a considerable length of time, been identified with the commercial interests of the town and city.

Gentlemen's Furnishings. - We will begin with this line of trade because one of its representative^, Daniel Cross, is, as has been before stated, the senior merchant in active business in Fitchburg. Mr. Cross was born in Swanzey, N. H., and came to Fitchburg in 1833, when about twenty years of age. He established his business as a merchant tailor, in a small building where the City Hall now stands. At that time the only merchants in business here were Kimball & Farwell, dry goods and groceries, in the lower story of the present Sentinel building; E. F. Bunnell, dry goods, on the corner of what are now Main and Central Streets; and Silas H. Goodnow, who had a jewelry store in the same building with Mr. Bunnell.

In 1834 Mr. Cross removed to rooms over the store of Kimball & Farwell, where he remained eight years. He then moved into Heywood & Comee's Block, across the street, and was in the store now occupied by John F. Bruce & Co. until about 1876, when he took possession of his present commodious store in the Stiles Block.

Mr. Cross bears his years remarkably well, and is still as active as ever. He was the first president of the Merchants' Association, and in January, 1888, the Association tendered him a complimentary dinner.

Henry A. Goodrich, senior member of the firm of H. A. Goodrich & Co., ranks next in this line. A sketch of Mr. Goodrich appears iu another portion of this volume. Mr. W. L. Humes is now the junior partner.

Three merchants, now in the same line of business in Fitchburg, received their training as salesmen in Mr. Goodrich's store, viz.: E. H. Spencer, A. J. Litchfield and Elijah Stebbins, Jr. ; and not a few of his former salesmen have made names for themselves in other cities, notably E. B. Sears, now in the fur business on Summer Street, Boston ; Robert Brooks, head salesman with Max Stadler & Co., New York ;

The other leading dealers in gentlemen's furnishings in town, in the order of their establishment, are E. H. Spencer, Farnsworth Brothers, Albee & Lyons, Edward Connor, Litchfield & Stebbins, U. E. Cleveland, the Globe Clothing Store, H. E. Goodere and H. F. Leonard.

DRY-GooDS.-James F. Stiles isnow the senior merchant in active business in this branch. He was born in Cavendish, Vt., and came to Fitchburg in March, 1841. After spending three years in the employ of Thomas C. Caldwell, the grocer, he went into the dry-goods business for himself For the first two years he occupied the store in the Torrey & Wood block, where R. R. Conn's jewelry-store now is ; he then removed a little farther up street, to what is now Warren Upton's market, and soon afterward moved across the street to the store next to the Sentinel buildiug and under the Calvinistic Congregational Church. Here he remained ten years, when he removed to Central block, where he had his store until January 1, 1876, when he moved into his present well-appointed and commodious store in the Stiles block, which he built the year previous.

Leander Sprague ranks next to Mr. Stiles. For a , few years he was in partnership with Mr. Stiles, under the firm-name of J. F. Stiles & Co. About 1852 the firm of L. Sprague & Co. was formed, consisting of Mr. Sprague and Timothy S.Wilson. The firm occupied a store in the Heywood & Comee block, and their business has been carried on there since. Mr. Wilson retired from the firm some years later, and for the last twenty years and more the firm has consisted of Mr. Sprague and Mr. Francis H. Colburn. In addition to dry-goods, this firm has, from the beginning, dealt largely in carpets, crockery &c.

Andrew B. Sherman started in the dry-goods business here in 1855. A sketch of Mr. Sherman is given elsewhere, to which the reader is referred.

The "'L. J. Brown Store," latterly the leading drygoods house in Fitchburg, was established by Luther J.Brown. For an account of it under his management the reader is referred to a sketch of Mr. Brown in another portion of this volume.

Since October 1, 1884, it has been managed by Frank I. Nichols and William A. Frost, under the firm- name of Nichols & Frost. This firm now owns the whole establishment, and carries on a very large and prosperous business.

Among the leading dry-goods stores, which have been more recently established in town, may be meutioned those of L. U. Hammond, E. G. Stowe, Girard & Irish, E. J. Moore & Co., the Boston Dry-Goods Store (E. E. Staples), Chamberlain, Huntress & Co., the Northern Supply Company, and J. L. Clark, in the city proper, and H. J. Lacey, G. A. Whitney and M. A. Shea & Co., in West Fitchburg. Groceries. - The oldest store in the city at this time is ihat occupying the first story of the Sentinel building, and, as far as the writer can learn, it has always been occupied as a grocery store. For some years previous to 1835, Kimball & Farwell had a grocery and dry-goods store there. In April, 1835, David F. Mclntire and Thomas C. Caldwell took the business, and the latter continued there until October, 1884, - a half-century, lacking six months. He then sold out to Warren S. Harris, and removed to Dorchester, where he still resides, though his familiar face is frequently seen in Fitchburg. Mr. Harris kept the store until the spring of 1888, when he disposed of it, W. M. Gray, of Gardner, being the purchaser. The passer-by now sees on the building a brilliant sign, recently put up, bearing this inscription :

The grocery business now conducted by S. D. Baldwin, under the Calvinistic Church, has been long in existence, having been established, in 1837, by his father, Joseph Baldwin, one of the old-time grocers, who died a few years ago.

The store of H. J. Lacey (who deals in groceries as well as dry-goods) in West Fitchburg, known as the " Old Baldwin Store," has also been long established.

The oldest established groceryman still in active business here is Mr. Henry A. Hatch, who began business in 1844, in the old RoUstone block, occupying that portion which is now George H. Chapman's shoe-store. In 1870 he built Hatch's block, at the corner of Main and Prichard Streets, where his business has since been carried on. For some years past, Perley Holmes has been in partnership with Mr. Hatch, under the firm-name of H. A. Hatch & Co., but in the spring of 1888 the partnership was dissolved, though Mr. Holmes still remains in the store.

Meats and Provisions. - There are at the present time thirty meat and provision markets in Fitchburg. William C. Emory is the senior in this line, having been in the business here upwards of thirty years. Lowe Brothers & Co., however, represent the oldest established business. This firm and the branch house of Armour & Co. are wholesale dealers. Among other jjrovision dealers who have been established in business here for a considerable number of years may be mentioned H. W. Emery, G. H. Ran-

Hardware. - The hardware firm of Wright, Kendall & Co. was formed about 1857, and consisted of Isaac C. Wright, L. J. Kendall and J. H. Fairbanks. Mr. Wright is still in the same business and at the head of the large hardware firm of I. C Wright & Co., the other members of the firm being M. B. Damon and R. D. Gould.

George B. Knowlton was for some time in the hardware store of Waldo Wallace, but for upwards of twenty years has been in business for himself, and for some years past has carried on a large hardware business in one of the fine stores in tbe Fitchburg Savings Bank Block. The other important bouses in this line in town are those of A. B. Lawrence & Co., and Baker Brothers & Co.

For some thirty-five years or more, Lyman Patch has manufactured tinware and dealt in stoves at bis present store in the old Town & Piper Block.

Tbe foregoing comprise some of the more important and most numerously represented commercial interests of Fitchburg, and we will close this chapter with a mere mention of a few of the longest established housesinsomeof the lines of business not yet alluded to.

J. F. D. Garfield is the senior in tbe coal business, having begun it in April, 1864. Two years later tbe firm of Garfield & Proctor was formed. Recently the Garfield & Proctor Coal Company was incorporated and continues to carry on business at the old stand. Of tbe other eight coal dealers now in town A. R. Ordway and G. E. Waite & Co. have been the longest established.

Among tbe booksellers and stationers Baker Brothers represent tbe longest established business - that of Stephen & Charles Shepley, founded in 1845. J. E. Thompson is the leading one among the other seven dealers in stationery, etc.

Of the twelve druggists in town Colonel H. G. Greene and W. A. Macurda have been the longest established - both having begun business for themselves in 1868. The " Old City " drug store, of which Colonel Greene is proprietor, and the " J. B. Lane '' drug store, of which W. D. Curtis is now proprietor, are the two oldest in town. H. F. Rockwell, A. H. Burgess and H. A. Estabrook may be mentioned as having been in this line for some years.

J. C. Moulton is the oldest established photographer in the city, having l)een in business here since 1848. Kimball Brothers have been in this line for some years, and E. E. Howard has been more recently located here.

R. R. Conn, watch-maker and jeweler, is the oldest in his line, having begun business here in 1855. James H. Fairbanks, Oran S. Rice and L. N. Wilbur have been the longest established of the other seven jewelers in town.

George H. Chapman is the senior in the boot and shoe trade in Fitchburg, and Horace Hayward, who is in his employ, has probably been connected with this line of business longer than any other person in town.

The following are also seniors in their respective lines of business : J. Gushing & Co., flour and grain ; S. A. Childs, real estate; Charles Mason, insurance; George Reed, marble-work ; F. A. Beckwith, lumber; George Robbins, plumbing ; J. E. Grant, mason ; Silas Whitney, jobber.

Doubtless some individuals and firms have been omitted in tbe foregoing who deserve mention ; but it must be borne in mind that it is impossible, in the space allotted to this department, to speak of all. The writer has endeavored to use his best judgment in selecting and to be impartial, and to give to readers of this work, outside of Fitchburg, a fair representation of the com - mercial interests of the city.