The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-16
Has Been Issued by the East
Tenn. Home-Com-
ing Committee
URGING ABRENT ONES
TO VISIT NATIVE HOME
The Homecoming Idea is
Proving Popular

The East Tennessee homecoming
committee has issued the following
open letter to the public:
The East Tennessee Association OF
Commercial Executives has unani-
mously adopted the plan for an East
Tennessee homecoming week, pre-
sented some time ago, and to which
references have already been made in
the columns of the East Tennessee
press.
A certain week in next year will be
designated and advertised to the
world as home coming week in East
Tennessee and during this week ev-
cry city, town and village participat-
ing will conduct special home
coming celebration. The complete
success of the movement depends
upon the number of towns and coun-
ties participating. From the large
number of expressions already re-
ceived by the committee it is evident
that citizens in every county in this
grand division of the state are will
ing and anxious to cooperate.
For several months before home
coming week, this committee, coop
Grating with the local organizations
Throughout East Tennessee, will con
duct a worldwide advertising cam
Ipaign. telling the countless thous
ands of East Tennessee's wandering
sons and daughters of our plans, in
viting, urging them to return to the
old home for the big family reunion
An East Tennessee postcard day ant
an East Tennessee newspaper week
will be features of the publicity cam
paign which has been planned.
Just now the committee is serious
ly considering the matter of dates
with the view of selecting the weel
which will prove most acceptable tt
East Tennesseans at home ant
abroad. We are not willing to trus
this wholly to our judgment, and WI
therefore earnestly solicit the sug
gestions and advice of every organi
zation and citizen of East TENNESSEE
interested and willing to cooperate
No section of like area in the Uni
ted States can compare with Eas
Tennessee in natural resources, pos
sibilities of development, opportuni
ties for investment, or in loyal, pro
gressive citizenship. And yet no sec
Ition of lkie area in the United State
lhas received so little good advertis
ing. For half a century East Tennes
see has been misrepresented, held u
to public gaze as land of noun
taineers and moonshine. Compare
lively few people, besides East Ten
Inesseans at home and the wanderer
who have kept the home ties fres
really knt the truth. This is a
opportunity to place East Tennessee
permanently upon the American ma
as a land of health, wealth and haI
piness, land of sunshine and dov
ers, a land of opportunity and natl
raj beauty beyond compare. 1t is
work worth while, and one whic
should appeal to every East Tenne
sean, everywhere.
In inaugurating this movement, "
have counted upon the hearty. actiN
support of every citizen and of ever
organized agency in this grand divi
ion of the state. We have already n
ceived ample evidence that our COZ
fidence in East Tennessee was nj
misplaced. We desire, however,
urge the Importance of prompt ar
definite action in every town al
county in order that the plans fl
the general campaign may be pc
fected at the earliest possible date.
Several members of our associate
have volunteered to visit 9th
towns and assist in perfecting loo
organizations. and planning publici
campaigns, outlining programs I
the celebrations.
Commercial organizations womeT
clubs, churches, schools, fraternal
ders. and other organizations des
ing this service are requested to I