South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-19
INAUGURATION HELD
TO Be A DEAD ISSUE
Sentiment Expressed at Meet
ing of Progress Chamber
Is Against Proposition.

That the sentiment in AIishawaka is
overwhelmingly against annexation or
amalgamation with South Bend was
demonstrated with no uncertain sound
at a mass meeting held in the Misha-
waka hotel Monday night. The meet
ing had been called by the Chamber Of
Progress which body had the satisfac-
ton Of having one Of the largest audi
ences Of business men and household
ers ever seen together in the city.
Several in the gathering attended the
meeting at great personal incOnven-
fence, while there were others who
had never previously attended a pub
lie meeting In the city in which they
had lived all their lives.
Il. NJ. BarrOWs president of the
chamber, presided, and Darwin Boy
er acted as secretary in the absence of
Charles Roy who fills that position in
the chamber. Mr.. BarrOws, in open
ing the proceedings, stated the object
Of the meeting and asked for a candid
expression OF opinion from everyone
present.
Charles Bingham said that at the
time the meeting was called the Ques-
ton was a live issue; now. however,
~ had dropped somewhat into Obliv-
ION. The Chamber OF Progress, which
had the best interests Of the city at
heart, had called the meeting TO dis
cuss the real issue, and the interest
the chamber had taken in the matter
had had a marked effect. As mat
ter of fact the necessity of the meeting
did not now exist, but there was no
harm in discussing it.
Mayor Ralph Gaylor agreed with
Mr.. Bingham. The real sentiment in
Mishawaka had reached a head: il
4.
ago lie had clipping from news
paper published in the state, which
gave the chamber credit for fostering
annexation. He thought that body
should put itself on record as being
opposed TO such. The impression that
has gone abroad should be corrected,
and the representatives in Indianapolis
should be urged 90 use all their efforts
10 oppose any legislation offered to-
wards such a purpose. He made a
motion TO this effect which was sec
oned.
Darwin Boyer thought the matter
should be discussed before any motion
was put. He personally knew that a
bill had been drafted toward amalga-
mating the two cities; he had seen it.
II favored the dissolution Of both ad-
mir ,strations, South Bend and Mish-
aw ka, and 1t was proposed that the
citi ems of both towns should vote on
The question. To do this il would be
necessary to hold an election TO decide
the matter. The people are being
tricked by shrewd politicians" said
the speaker in conclusion.
a. =; Quick asked what the city
would gain by annexation? Every
thing was done for "A purpose; some
body was going TO get something out
OF e. lie was unalterably opposed TO
any move toward either annexation or
bad enough" said the speaker. but
South Bend is worse. Sometimes we
get people into office who give the
town a bad name. but that was not al
ways the case"
George Fountain of the Perkins
Windmill Co, who was born and
raised In kfishawaka and has all
his business interests in the city, was
called upon 10 express himself. Mr..
fountain said he had lived in both
places and it had been the dream OF
his youth to see the two cities be-
come one. That was his sentiment
still; but seeing such a large audience
present. an audience evidently out of
sympathy with him, he felt like the
18th man on a jury He was in favor
Of annexation provided II was done
properly.
Rev. Father T. 4. Moench said he
admired the bOldness Of Mr.. Fountain
in telling MishaWakans all they could
be and inferring that they were moth
ing at the present time.
whats the use of having u.s."
asked Father Moench. amid applause.
He said he was proud OF Mishawaka.
tie Las been here II years and de-
clared he hoped he would be here so
years more and die while the city was
still Mishawaka and rot South Bend.
Father MOench has gone TO the
trouble of writing the local legislators
in Indianapolis in regard 20 the mat
ter, and has received replies TO the
effect that there was nothing IN 1t.
but If ever the matter should come up