The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-17
However, It Was the Decis-
| ion Of Y. N. B. c. That II
Merchants Want It, It
Would Be Worth Effort.
COMMITTEE is NAMED
TO SOUND BUSINESS MEN
At Meeting Last Evening It
Was Pointed Out That Such
Gathering Would Bring
Many to City.

Rather than take chances Of prob
ably jeopordizing the success of this
years fall festival by applying for the
state encampment of the Uniform
Rank knights Of Pythias. the Young
Mems Business club at meeting last
evening decided to postpone action.
A committee WAS named to make in
quiries Of the business men and
Sound them" on the chances Of secur-
ing contributions for both events.
The merchants would be the ones to
gain from these affairs and would be
expected to help on the financial end
of the proposition.
To secure the state encampment for
this city will require bonus of $500.
This money Is not donated as cash
Offering but to defray the expenses OF
the camp. Tents. cots. ice. water,
light, fuel and other necessities must
be provided from the fund. The en-
campment lasts six days and would be
attended by 1t least 1000 men. 1t Is
estimated that in return the visitors
would average at least 81 per day
spent IL the city. This would mean
$1,000 spent In the city for an in
vestment Of $500.
Great Advertisement.
The encampment would serve as an
excellent advertisement to the city.
Il would prove = great attraction to
residents Of the surrounding country
and they would come to Richmond by
the thousands In order to witness the
military display and competitive
drills. The organization is semi-mili-
tary in its formation and the men
would live in tents after the fashion Of
regular soldiers.
1t was stated by some, that the busi-
ness men ~ the city upon whom the
burden of expense would fall, might
not care to attempt to finance the fall
festival and the encampment. The
two affairs would be held within
month or six weeks Of each other.
T',c fall festival Is the pet scheme Of
4 /" Young Mems Business club and
'. organization would countenance
IL undertaking that in any way might
tend to detract from it's success. In
ed and their sentiments obtained,
committee consisting Of Fred Lemon,
Harry Buntin. A. Spekenhier, AL
bert Morel and c ". Merrill was
appointed.
ireton's Explanation.
Captain A. F. Ireton, of the Uniform
Rank. explained the state encamp-
ment proposition in detail. He said
at might be that some of the estimates
Of expense are too high and could be
reduced. He pointed out several
stems for which allowances are made
and said they are excessive. He ex-
planned that the first proposition from
the order called for $4,000 or $4,000.
That amount included large cash
prizes for drill work. These prizes
might be eliminated altogether or re-
duced materially. He said when the
proposition was first received ne did
not think much Of it, as the expense
was too great. He said he does not
count on the entire membership At
tending and with reduction in the
expense. he believes the undertaking
would be advisable.
The cities of the state do not enter
competitive bids for the encampment.
Each place desiring to be chosen sub
mits its offer and accompanying prop
ositton as to how the encampment will
be provided for Capt. Ireton says
there is sentiment in the order
against going to indianapolis, and he
does not believe the capital city will
be a contender. The invitations must
be in the hands iof Brigadier General
Wilson by Monday, April 5.
Think i Good Thing.
In the open discussion of the project
William Loehr said he believed the en-
campment would prove good thing II
the money can be raised. A. ]. Spe-
kenhier favored the proposition, say
ing It would help everybody to have
that many good fellows in the city.
even the postoffice. He declared the
sales Of stamps would be increased and
thousands of souvenir postcards sent
out would be a great advertisement for
the city. He suggested one line OF
business that might donate half Of the
required amount.
Harry Buntin explained that the sur
rounding territory can expect to bene-
fit. He said he believed contribu-
tions may be expected from the street
railway company and operators OF re-
1reshment stand privileges
It was Fred Lemon who called the
clubs attention to the probability OF
interfering with the fall festival. He
said he did not want to throw cold