The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-01-07
BANQUET
Closes Convention OF
Berger Sales
Force
PROSPERITY COMING

A display of optimism, mingled
with prediction of prosperity for the
coming year, was the predominant
feature of the banquet of the sales
force of the Berger Manufacturing
company, Saturday night, which mark
ed the closing of the company's con-
yention last week at the Courtland
Hotel. A cheerful tone of prospective
prosperity and hopefulness rang out
bold and clear in all of the speeches
made, creating new energy in the
statesmen as they left for their respec-
tive stations.
Frank Schwertner, treasurer of the
Berger company, presided over the
banquet as toastmaster, and discharged
his duties in a most efficient manner.
President Edward Iangenbach was
among the first speakers called upon,
and in his talk he presaged brilliant
future not only for the Berger COM
pany, but for the entire steel industry.
He spoke in glowing terms of the
prospects for the advancement of the
industry. saying that it was merely
in it's infancy, and just beginning to
assume its proper growth. Looking
lulO ll6 D6. plCbuiGu lhO Va
ders that would be placed when wood
en- freight cars gave way to steel,
when like, evolution takes place with
the railroad tie, and when the ordin-
airy lath in dwelling houses is made
of steel. He told, also of the increase
in the business of the Berger company
during 1908 despite the depression
which prevailed throughout the year.
"Our Chief" as Mr.. Langenbach is
popularly known among the Berger
employees, was rendered a flattering
ovation by the banqueters, as he
arose to speak, as an indication of
their esteem.
Others speakers of the evening were
Vice President Fred Snyder, of Mas
sillon; r. H. ancYey, Joseph Biechele,
Secretary Charles Irwin, G. W. Kriek,
William Langenbach, A. T. Enlow, w.
w Wallace, w. w. Irwin, Charles F..
Lang, Mayor A. R. Turnbull, and
Chief Of Police Smith. Several ex-
temporaneous addresses were also call
ed for
During the serving of the menu,
music was furnished by Emerson5 or
chestra. Over one hundred persons
were seated about the banquet tables.
Toastmaster Schwertner extended
greetings to the banqueters, on behalf
of the management, and rendered
thanks for the efforts of the sales
men, branch managers, and other en-
| ployes in making 1908 record year.
As tribute to the memory of Wilson
Berger, Herman Klorer, and others
connected with the firm, who died
during the past year, all present were
requested to stand.
| A number of the veterans in the en-
ploy of the Berger company were pres
entf Each guest was presented with
fhe souvenir of the Berger company,
as reminder of the convention. AS
the banquet was about to break up. a
quintet gave appreciable rendition
of song to the tune of Honey Boy"
On Saturday morning the visiting
salesmen and branch managers were
conducted on a trip of inspection
through the various Berger industries.
A most laughable incident occurred
upon the conclusion of the trip. In
some manner 1t leaked out that
Charles M. Sucker, Chicago sales
man, Is soon to be married to Miss
Bessie Fielding, OF the same city.
When the statesmen were ready to re-
turn to the hotel, white mule lavish
ly decorated with ribbons and stream
ers attached to dump cart, was
brought forth, and Mr.. Sucker made
no protest when he was put into the
cart, and conveyed through the streets
of the city, An eight piece band con-
Quoted by Charles Fiala, and with H.
M. Maugle as drummajor led the pro-
cession to the hotel. Arriving at the
convention hall, the bewildered pros
pective bridegroom was forced to oc-
cupy the clerks desk, and to respond
to the urgent demand for speech.
All remaining business of the con-
vention was disposed of at the after
noon session.