The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-04
GIFT AND BANQUET FOR RETIRING HEAD
 OF BUSINESS MEN
FORMER PRESIDENT BOLANDE SURPRISED BY DIRECTORS
 OF ASSOCIATION.

As a tribute of regard for the work he had done during the past four years, as president, Frank w. Bo- lande was given a complimentary din- ner at the Stratfie!d, last night, by the directors of the Business Mems Association. Aside from the mem bers of the directory there were some guests present, including Mayor Cliff ford B. Wilson and Judge E. F. Hal len. The occasion was made delight full by the spirit of cheerfulness that prevailed, and MT. Bolande, as hon. ored guest, was privileged to hear many expressions of appreciation and praise for what he had done while president, from which office he re- gently retired to be succeeded by Charles D. Davis.
 The gathering took place in >the breakfast room of the stratf1eld and the tables were so arranged as to form horseshoe. In the center of this was a large and beautiful basket of Easter lilies, red ramblers and spirea. This was addressed to Mrs. F. w. Bolande from the Bridgeport Business Mems Association At the head place sat President Davis, and on either side was MT. Bolande and Mayor Wilson. After the dinner, speeches were made by nearly every
 
 speaking, President Davis presented to the retiring president an extensive lunch carrier, similar to what is used on automobile trips The carrier is novel In many respects and elabor- ately arranged. It is made of enam- eied metal. equipped with knives. forks and spoons. and dishes and drinking utensils of the most original and unique design. The gift is very practical one.
 MT. Bolande responded to the pre- sentation and expressed his surprise.
 He said that this final tribute was the climax of an evening Ef surprises. You have done me altogether too much honor, gentlemen he said. '"The most that I could have expect ed was to have something to eat and to have you, my associates of the past four years, come together in an informal way. But these flowers. and these other gifts are indeed very much beyond any expectations 1 might have had. I esteem them. and this gathering as a very flattering trihute for what little I gladly gave during my four years as president, and I thank you sincerely
 dinner program by briefly stating that at the first meeting Of the board of directors, after he became presi- dent, a suggestion made by Samuel E. Vincent that a dinner be given to Mr. Bolande met with hearty approval and found fruit in the present gath ering
 MT. Davis spoke about the splendid record MT; Bolande had made, and said that he thought it only fitting that the board of directors show their feeling of indebtedness to him. Con tinuing, Mr. Davis mentioned the change in the business meetings of tHe fraA A1 of evenings and said that he proposed that the association have spea kers from out of town to give the benefit of their experiences in civic serlvce. He declared that the assooiaticn should have an ideal and suggested one that had presented itself to him. He said that in 1926 the city of Bridgeport would be 100 years old. He thought it splendid ideal to look forward to that date as a time when Bridgeport would be a greater residential city, beautified by public improvements. Its proximity to New York made IT a good city to develop as a residential city, To send out notices in all bus mess letters to the outside word would be a good plan. and the CO., operation of the Board of Trade and the Manufacturers Association could be secured in this. He thought that the persistent hammering at the one | - would accomplish a great deal. MT. Davis thought that the children Of to- day should be educated up to the ideal If making Bridgeport resden tial city by requiring the school children to make relief mars and do work of that kind in schools which would have an educational value. He spoke of Golden Hill as beautiful site for civic center; that the present library could be maintained where it is until a new city hall could be built and then the old city hall could be used for a library building.
 Among those who contributed to the oratory of the occasion were C. l.. Gaylord, A. F. Lavery. Judge Carl Foster, D Fairchild Wheeler, A. NJ. Oooner, George E. Crawford, Mayor Wilson, Judee E. F Hal'en, W. F. Hobhs. president of the Manufactur- ors' Association; $. E. Vincent. F. D. Fell, ". R. Muirhead, H. H. Jackson, James Fee'ev. L. D. Plumb, James Roy, F. H. Dillon. c. M Cole George p Purnes, A. W. Burritt. Robert E. uurlev. Isaac Moss. M. W. Manwar- ing. and F. L. Graves. 1,Y>rrnD aNn, DJTPT TCUETc