Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-27
ANNUAL BILL DINNER IN LEDYARD
library Association Meets for 47h YearM Gray Librari an Resgns-WiIliam L Allyn Reelected President--In Annual Address Rev Edward Chapman Speaks of Ger man Resourcefulness Resolutions On Three Deceased Members.

The fortyr-seventh annual meeting of the Bill Library association took place at Ledyard Center on Wednes- lday. and the dinner and public ex- intensely interested gathering. The business meeting of the trustees was held in their room in the library building at about il o'clock. Business Meeting. President w1n. I. Allyn occupied the chair. The minutes of the last an- nuAl meeting were read and approved The treasurers report showed the Henry Bill fund to amount to $14,- 255.1S; Gurdon Bill dinner fund, s77.24; Libarary dinner fund. $52S.ST; U. s. N. Fl. II. R. R. stock, at present of uncertain value. The treasurer's re- port was accepted and approved.
 Librabrian Resigned.
 Mrs. Gray, the librarian. read her report, which represented the library in . prosperous condition. She sup plenented her report with an inter- estiug sketch of what the Brothers Bill had done for the library, thanked the members for their uniforms ceur- tesy to herself during the years of her occupancy of the office of librarian and closed with tender of her resignation.
 Frederic Bill moved its acceptance with the thanks of the association. So voted.
 Officers Elected.
 Proceeding to the choice of officers for the ensuing year, Wm. I. Allyn was chosen president; vice presidents, were first, Isaac c. Geer: second, John M. Gray: secretary, Fred " Burton; treasurer, Billings T. Avery.
 Resolutions.
 The secretary read resolutions of respect to the memory Of Thomas P. Norman. George Tanning and Thomas Latham, members of the board of trustees who have died during the past year.
 Programme at the Church.
 The business of the trustees being concluded adjournment was taken to the church for the literary and rnusi-. cal program prepared for the enter tainment of those assembled.
 The chorus, Blow, soft winds" was rendered by the 6hoir.
 A solo, "A Little Love. a Little Kiss" was given by Henry F. Hallock, Jr.
 An address of welcome was deliv- cred by the Rev. c. $. Spaulding of Key West. Fla.
 This was followed by a solo, sfVilja Song" and Thou art like unto a flower" by Mrs. R. J. Henderson.
 Address by Rev. Edward Chapman.
 The address of the day was deliv- cred by the Rev, Edward Chapman of Lyme. Though it was givens in a very off hand style. it had the mark of thoughtful study and wide ohser- vation. Of course the shadow cast by the situation in Europe could not be wholly ignored, and it evoked com parisons between conditions in the belligerent lands and those in our own not in every instance to the advantage of our republic. Germany. with a territory not quite so large as Texas, supports a population of 57.000,o0n on a soil as rugged as that of>our New England and in 8 climate as indictment as ours. She does it by making the most of every acre of the land ap- plying to it every element of fertil ity which the science of chemistry affords While Great Britain raises 2s bushels of wheat to the acre and Ger many a slightly less amount. the United States is content with only 14 bushels to the acre. In these coun- tries fertilization Is carried to the highest point possible, while here our farmers for the most part take from