Connecticut western news., 1913-04-24
SHALL WE CELEBRATE7
Judge Roraback's Ringing Speech at
 B. M. A. Smoker.


 in Odd Fellows Hall, Thursday evening. Rev. E. O. Gillette presided, in the ab- sence of President Holsapple. who was called out of town by the serious illness of his mother. Secretary N. w. Harden bergh read the minutes of the previous meeting. Various committees reported progress. George w. Hall was voted in as a member of the Association. It was voted that the Association pay $50 rent of the horse sheds belonging to Mrs. Clemans for the accommodation of people driving into town.
 J. O. Roraback reported that he had conferred with State Highway Com- missioner Bennett regarding the pro posed trunk line extension between Canaan and Salisbury, and that the commissioner had promised to come over to meet the Associations of Iakeville and Canaan, May 9, look over the pro posed route. and confer on the matter. The committee appointed by the chair man pro tenn to attend the conference, consisted of President A. W. Holsapple. Secretary N. W. Hardenbergh. J. Clinton Roraback, H. E. Lyles and John Rode meyer.
 The committee on Fourth of July oele- bration, through their chairman, Mr. Gillette, reported that they had can vassed the business men of the village and found so little enthusiasm over the proposition that they felt that they could do nothing but report adversely. In giving the report, Mir. Gillette expressed his regret at the tone of the oommittoe's report, and said the celebration of two years ago had aroused moro civic pride than anything else the Association ever did. It was the means of bringing aboat many of the improvements that have been made it gave the fire company a distinct boost. brought the band into be- ing and gave the town a higher standing in the estimation of neighborinp towns. Some had said they had expended con siderable on floats for the industrial parade. but the investment hadn t paid they didn't get their money back from it as an advertising proposition. The celebration was not designed as mouey making proposition, the speaker said. but as a demonstration of community life and patriotism, and to have some attractive doings in town on the Nations birthday. He spoke of the moral bone fits of such celebration.
 Later a motion was made that instead of taking action that would forever kill the celebration plan, the matter be con , tinued until the next meeting. aud that, with no idea of criticising the action of the committed, the field be gone over , again and an effort made to ascertain if more favorable sentiment could not be found to exist.
 At this point Judge A. T. Rorabaak arrived, and on being appraised of tho status of the celebration plan, expressed his surprise that such feeling should exist among the business men. The Judge spoke with considerable feeling. Said he: Il, for one, want to see a Fourth of July celebration in Canaan and l stand ready to pay my share of the cost. I'll head subscription paper right here and now, for the purpose. T confess that I cannot understand tho disposition of any citizen to throw ood water on proposition to celebrate the Fourth of July in this town, and I want to enter vigorous protest against any such adverse sentiment"
 The prolonged and unanimous ap- plause that greeted Judge Rorabaok's brief but pointed remarks were hardly calculated to confirm the impression that the business men of Canaan are opposed to a patriotic observation of Independence Day. Judge Ford stated his willingness to cooperate to the ex- tent of his ability in celebration, and spoke of the dismal dullness and quiet of the last Fourth when practically everybody went out of town to places where they could find some signs of life and patriotic activity. The motion to continue the matter was unanimously passed.
 After the business of the session had been disposed of, Chairman Gillette in- troduced Mir. R. K. Southwick, of West Cornwall, member of the Canaan Association, who gave an interest ing, instructive and timely talk on Co- operation and Competition. He began by making complimentary reference to the Canaan business men and the As- sociation and Canaan institutions and enterprise. He told some humorous stories which kept his hearers in good humor. He said combination, for efn- ciency and economy even if it some times amounts to monopoly, is better than cut throat competition. "There is strength in numbers. Get together " He traced the growth of the combination idea, from the days when the lone pioneers, who went to their work with their axes