The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-26

Their artistic senses pleased by
beautiful flowers. the inner man COM
forted with a delightful supper and
rendered complacent by the effect of
good cigars. the membership of the
Chamber of Commerce or at least the
lb0 who attended the annual banquet
last night had their loyalty renewed
and their patriotism fortified by the
department heads on the work of the
past year.
The supper was spread I'm the ar
mory. and Mrs. Began and the ladies'
who assisted her were highly COM
plimented on their mingling OF artis-
tic effect and culinary excellence.
The supper vas served at half past
eight, and by nine o'clock sufficient
progress had penn made to permit
Mayor Gitoes OF Columbia to be call
ed on. He spoke briefly and inter-
estingly on the relations between a
city government and commercial
organization, pointing out steps by
which they might cooperate and
drawing deftly the lines which neith-
er should cross into the others pro-
per field OF action. He closed with an
expression OF hope that all the cities
of South Carolina would work always
In cooperation with the capital city,
which was In a way the property of
the whole state and which had, he
was sure. the interest OF the whole
state at heart.
. After Mayor Gibbe's address, the
rstirinx president. Dr. Sc. Baker,
called on the department directors.
Mr. ID. ID. Noise. for the department
on membership. entertainment and
conventions, reported the net result
OF the November mass meeting to have
been the signing up of 1873 three-year
memberships representing s3219 q
year. There were more than that
signed up. but removals from the city
and other cancellations for sufficient
cause had cut the figures down. In
addition To this revenue of s3219 "a
year. other memberships not as yet
on the 3-year basis represents $685.
90 a year--a total OF s4024 year
indicated revenues counted as safe
and sure, though the books include
others which may or not add TO the
revenues counted on and reported as
certain.
Mr. Noises report included Sum-
ter's work, by cooperation OF the
churches and Chamber of Commerce.
In handling the recent Sunday School
convention more satisfa torily to the
convention itself than any other city
had ever done; and basing his remarks
In part on the two new hotels, he ad-
.vocated special efforts to make Sum-
ter a convention city.
Mr.. II. II. Belser's report on the
Rural Relations Department was es-
pecialy interesting. IL set forth the
legislative results OF the departments
activities under the policy Of "a more
connected and permanent system of
raods and an increase in the funds
available" Under this policy the
department secured the communication
road tax. adding $4,000 to the annual
road fund OF the county. and the i'm
provement of all roads leading out of
the city.
The report went into the coopera-
tive steps OF the Chamber. local banks
and Farmers Union resulting i'm ar
rangements for farmers to borrow not
exceeding an aggregate of half a mil
lion at 6 per cent To enable them 10
hold cotton and arrangements for
other staple crops i'm
standard packages. warehouses To is
sue certificates against the goods. and
told OF steps under way To arrange for
modern marketing Of melons and 9TH
iltably produced ir this immediate
cestion.
Mr. Belser also reported on the
farm Improvement and diversincation
work. carried on under the Sumter
spirit by cooperation Of the Chamber,
banks. and coIn clubs and other
agencies, private and public. He cit
ed the newly established PARROT Mill
Ing Company, as IA lever for the pro-
huction of greater corn crops. advo-
rated prixes for attractive home con
ditions on farms and urged the grow
Ing of alfalfa. which. II has been
proved. can be successfully done I'm
this section on properly prepared
land. tie exhibited i'm proof OF this
beautiful sample OF alfalfa more than