Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-03-26
Monster Mass Meeting Open the
Eyes OF Commissioners

five andt hundred men aud women
OF the City of Wildwood mel last eve
ming at the city hall, and In the pres
ence of Mayor Smith and Commission
er OF Streets Hendee, showed by their
numbers aud sentiments hal the
mejorIty of the inhabitants and the
greater part OF the summer influx were
strongly IN favor OF a band. Frank L.
King as chairman of the meeting ap-
pointed VIM. Castor secretary and then
opened the meeting by calling for al
expression of opinion. John Bright
was the first to take the floor and stated
that although he personally did not
care for a band, he found that the ma
jority OF the summer renters wanted a
band and If we did mol have one, II
would mean q back ward step. l.. 2.
Coney made a similar statement and
John B. Wright made a stirring add ress
and La closing his remarks said, "If
you don't have q band you will take q
bigger step back ward than you ever
took forward for five years" and cited
the fact owing to the increase Ia run
ming expenses, his hotel rent had in
creased fifty dollars. and If anyone
wanted to know If the band was need
ed just enter the boarding house BUSH
nees and you'll soon learn. Mrs. VIM.
Old6eld said, "We want q band, the
msjority Of boarders will be dioappoint-
ed, and we have more houses now,
hence more taxes and ehould be able
to hire q band" She said that we
would not feel 1t this season, but In
1916 aud the words on everyone's lips
would be Wild wood 10 going back
and | am going somewhere else.' "
Miss Derbyshire, of the Abbey, stated
that upon interviewing some of her
boarders, they were disappointed with
the fact that no arrangements were
made for q band and the prevailing
opinion was ut would kill the town.
Congressman J. Thompson Baker, who
just arrived home from Washington,
was called upon by the chairman, to
express his views and amid cheers Mr..
Baker. one of the founders OF the city,
took the floor and said, ~ ana glad to
be here. 1t Is q long time since | saw
you. It is very interesting to be here.
What you are considering Is very inn
portant and your commissioners are
wise Ia being careful, sailing yer
troubled waters as the whole world ls.
l think 1t right to be careful In the in
terest OF the city in the matter OF a
band. Wildwood has reason to move
with caution, due to conditions OF the
world today aud we don't want to show
any sign OF weakness. Not to have q
band Is q great financial mistake. a
blow at the interests OF the city, G.
a. Huppert said, lyon all know where
l stand, 1 stand for 4 baud, Lrst, last
and all the time, and like Mrs. Old
fitld, / say we will not feel 1t now, but
in 1916. Mrs. 8. Clarke, of Cedar Hall,
ex expressed the same views. 8. A. Lam
ing said be was 10 favor OF the baud
and was willing to pay his portion and
brough bit out the point that before con-
solidation, what Is now the City of
Wildwood, supported two bands, while
now they want to get along without
one aud In closing said, "Count me In
on the band" II. A. Spencer spoke of
the growth of Wildwood and its future
and said no place could out do US and
we needed a band more SO this year
than any other and we did moi want to
show any sign of falling behind. Chas.
Albig said 1t was most important this
season to have a band. George Shaw
and Mark B. Reeves endorsed the band
aud o. I. Black well, OF the Entertain
ment committee Of the Board of Trade,
add ressed the meeting. Mr.. Black
we'll said whenever the arrangements
for an excursion were being made. the
one great question was twill we have
an escort? n "Wiil we have a band?"
Excursions are the things that made
Wild wood, together with printers ink
and Baker Brothers, who with the two
foregoing assets made this city from
what was practically a JUNGLE
Mayor Smith addressed the meeting
and said "We Commissioners have con-
sidered 1t and on count of high taxes
concluded not to have a band, as a
sewer disposal plant Is needed and
twenty-three other things, and if taxes
go high some can't pay them, but If
the majority want a band, we'll give it
to them. e. Yenney, e. q. Slaughter
and e. M. Johnson were Of the same
opinion as the previous speakers. Mr..
johnson expressed q desire as wanting
an American citizen band. This met
with shouts and cheers of approval and
T4-l-- --sl 49,