The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-12
CIVIC CLUB ELECTS
w, E, Britton Again Heads Pro- gressive Association in
 Westville.
RAISE TAX RATE HALF MILL
Members of School Board Announce Neccssitated Action-State For
 ester Hawes Speaks.

The first annual meeting of the Edgewood Civic association was held last evening in Masonic hall, Vest vile, and from the reports that were submitted and the business that was transacted the association Is showing itself up to be very energetic and lively one. The reports of the com mittees as well as though of the sec retary and treasurer were of a very encouraging nature.
 William r. Alcorn, who reported for the public safety committee said that the work of the committee had been of vast and varied nature. The additional trolley service on the Edge wood line, which was brought about through the efforts of the public ser vice commission and the rGcommen- datlons of the special committee in regard to keeping the sidewalks free of snow tended to show that the asso- ciation's representatives were not tagging in their work,
 The election of officers which came before the meeting showed that the members of the organization were well pleased with their present presi- dent and accordingly Welton F. Brit ton will again head the association The rest of the officers elected fol- lows president, Rev. J. J. Me- Givney; secretary, stephen B. Warren and treasurer. Hubert NJ. Grelst. The executive committee will be made up as follows: William r. Alcorn. Percy R. Greist, F. A. Todd, William Pat terson, stephen B. Warren, Arthur N. Farnham, Howard Adt and w. II, Forsythe.
 Just previous to the election, how ever, Percy R. Greist and George w. Crane, two of the members of the Westville school board, sprang sur prise on the meeting when they an- nounced that 1t would be utterly im- possible for tho school board to meet It's liabilities with a 6 1-2 mill tax on tho grand list. It was explained that the contingent fund of some s1,000 which the board had relied upon, would be eaten up with the added cost of educating the scholars in the New Haven schools.
 This supposition was made mainly on the hypothesis that the ciE school board would rescind their decision of six weeks ago and allow the Westville scholars education in the high school, but on a higher tuition rate.
 To meet the deficiency Messrs. Greist and Crane explained it would be necessary to increase the tax rate to seven mills. The matter was placed before the association only that they might be prepared on the manner of acting when the question is brought up at the meeting of the school district next Tuesday night
 Another startling fact was brought out at the meeting and that Olive Branch lodge, No. S4, A. r. and A. NJ, had elected a committee and were making extensive plans for the erec- ton of a Masonic temple In Westvlle. The plans are as vet in the embryo and the question was brought up in order that suggestions might be made by members of the association. The temple will cost about $25,OO0 and will probably have a public library, hall club rooms, etc, attached to 1t.
 After the reports of tho various committees the members were treated to fine talk by State Forester Aus tin r. llawes, who is a member of the association and who spoke on the sub ject of Forestry" Mir. Hawes spoke of the interest which had been mani Tested in the subject and gave a short History of the subject He spoke ex- tcnsively of the conditions abroad and of the profits accrulng thcrefrom.
 In closing ho gave a short ond con else statistical account of the recent forest fires that have begrimed the country. During the year 156 fires burning over an area of 10, 800 acres were reported It cost $1iO2 to quench the fires which Is for the ser vices of 1,3OO men or a little less than an average of 80 per fire. MT. llawes was roundly applauded at the cor cluslon of his talk.