New Britain herald., 1914-04-10
PlainVille News
WANT LONERCAN FOR < BANQUET SPEAKER
Business Men Hope to Have Cor
 QIeSSman as Their Guest.
DATE CHANGED TO APRIL 30

DATE CHANGED TO APRIL 30 Ex-President Taft Gives Tentative
 Promise to Come Hero Next Year
 Post Office Inspector in Town
 Decrease in School Attendance.
 Thursday, April 30, has been se- lected by the committee of arrange ments as the date for the annual ban Quet of the Business and Improve nent association. Chairman S. S. Gwillim announced this morning that while it was originally intended to have the spread on April 23, it was found necessary to put it off for a week on account of changes in the plans made necessary by difficulties encountered in getting speakers.
 While the committee was appoint ed some time ago, it deferred setting the date for the banquet for sev- eral weeks, as it was hoped that ex- President w. H. Taft could be per- suaded to be the guest of honor. President Gwillim and other mem- bers had called on Mir. Taft at his quarters in New Haven and he made every effort to arrange to get here. He found it impossible, however, but tentatively promised to attend the as- sociation's banquet in 1915.
 Efforts are now being made to get Congressman Lonergan for the prin- cipal speaker He has not as yet been able to give definite answer to the committees invitation, but the members hope he will find it pos- sible to come here for that evening. Another speaker for whom the com mittee Is angling is Rev. Sherrod Soule, of Hartford. MT. soule is recognized as one of the best after dinner speakers in the state and -he would strengthen the program rna- terially. He has promised to come here if possible. An invitation has also been extended to w. c. Norris, of Willimantic, one of the state busi- ness mems boosters MT. Norris has given addresses at several busi- ness mems banquets and he is re- garded as a capable speaker.
 Chairman Gwillim expects to be able to make an announcement of the program some time next week.
 The subcommittee are working hard on the arrangements and the indications are that the banquet this year will be bigger than any of its predecessors Tickets will be ready for distribution in few days and it it expected that there will be a big demand for them.
 Bremen Get Auto.
 The automobile, for which the Hose company recently made con- tract with the Pope Manufacturing company of Hartford, was delivered here yesterday afternoon and the firemen are now making arrange ments to have it converted into a combination hose and chemical truck. The machine was complete ly overhauled before 1t was delivered and heavier springs were installed to strengthen 1t.
 The car is now capable of making forty miles an hour, which Fire Chief Norton believes is ample in town of the size of Plainville.
 A new truck body is to be made and when it is set in position chemi- cal tanks will be installed. The out fit will then be turned over to the town. Er. ...-
 The firemen have already raised more than $500 to pay for the new equipment and the additional $200 will probably be collected before summer. A play. will be presented in the town hall on April 23 for the benefit of the fund and Chief Nor- ton expects that a sizeable sum win be realized from the sale of tickets.
 ssBabe'' Dewis Is Making Good.
 Horace J. Lewis, affectionately known to his Plainville friends as "Babe," is winning great success in Norwalk where he recently was ap- pointed assistant superintendent of ktreets. He has been located in that dty fer the past few years and ac- ee-ding to the Norwalk Hour, which pctnx1 his photograph and sketch o< his career, he is more than making good.'' This contemporary declared Babe" to be one of the best road builders and all around street rnNn that the thriving little commun- fly 4e which he now resides has ever elected.
 KIT. Lewis Is a native of Plainville. He attended the local schools and s*yent several years here after re- lcSS1rg his education. He was a haaesall player of considerable abil- 3Y and was one of the most popular members of the Plainville team in the days when Pete" Wilson first came into prominence as a pitcher. Babe" played first base and be- sides being a fielder of ability was a terror to opposing pitchers.
 For several years he was engaged in reservoir construction work. He has been identified with the Norwalk