The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-12-16
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS.
Meets in CharlestOn.-WelcO by
Governor Manning.

Charleston, Dec. 14.-The seventh
annual convention of the Southern
Commercial congress was called to
order in the German Artillery hall
yesterday morning by the Hon. Dun
can U. Fletcher, senator from Flori-
da, and president of the congress.
The session lasted for approximately
three hours and was attended by sew
eral hundred persons, including the
cadet corps of the Citadel and of the
Porter Military aca ademy. The prin-
cipal address was delivered by the
Hon. William G. McAdoo, secretary
OF the treasury.
The following message from the
president was read:
t'Whe white house, Washington,
December IS, 1915.
t'The Hon. Duncan U. Fletcher,
president, the Southern Commercial
congress, Charleston, S. c.: Pray
extend my greetings to the members
Of the congress, my very deep and
sincere interest in their deliberations
and my hope that out of those de-
iberations will come fertile counsel
for the benefit of the nation.
''WOODROW WILSON"
Other speakers were the Hon.
Richard l. Manning, governor of
South Carolina; Mr.. Thos. S. South
gate, first vice president, Southern
Commercial congress; the Hon. Dun
can U. Fletcher, of Florida; Col. John
Temple Graves, editor of the New
York American; Mayor John P.
Grace, and the Hon. John Barrett,
director general of the Pan-American
union. The invocation was asked by
the Rt. Rev. William A. Guerry, D.
D., bishop sof the diocese of South
Carolina.
The hall was elaborately decorated
with numerous flags, buntings and
ferns. The appearance was distinct
~ a patriotic one. A number of dis
tinguished visitors were in the au-
dience. :.
The entrance of the speakers was
marked by the playing of patriotic Sc
lections by Metz's Military band. Inn
mediately after the convention had
been called to order by Senator
Fletcher the Invocation was asked by
Bishop Guerry. II
A chorus of more than hundred
voices, under the direction of Miss
Isabelle Hyams, sang 'ssThe Song OF
Victory The accompaniment was
played by Metz's band. This was one
OF the features of the session and the
splendid performance of the chorus
was greeted with prolonged applause.
The singers were on the stage in the
rear Of the hall.
Secretary McAdoo, the last speak
4er, was of the impression that he was
to appear in the afternoon and was
little late in arriving. He and Mrs.
McAdoo, who accompanied him, re-
ceived a cordial welcome when they
entered the hall.
Mr.. R. G.. Rhett, president Of the
charleston Chamber of Commerce,
and DR.. Clarence J. Owens, managing
director of the Southern Commercial
congress, did not speak yesterday.
Mr. Rhett had waited for Secretary
5McAdoo. DR.. Owens will probably
deliver his address on ''The Southern
Commercial Congress- Militant
Force" at one of the other sessions.
Secretary and Mrs. McAdoo lunched
with Mr.. and Mrs. Rhett and were
entertained by them. The secretary
and his wife returned to Washington
last night.
It was stressed by Senator Fletch-
er and DR.. Owens that all sessions
of the congress are oren to the pub
lie. The addresses are OF practical
nature and much good. it is believed,
will be derived from them.
(,harleston's ws'cv.:e wds eXten l.
ell to the delegates AM members Of
the congress and 10 thi, visitors by
Mayor Grace He spoke of the gath
ering as being representative of the
New South and welcomed all to the
Capital of the Old South and the
Capital of the New S.uth.'
Governor Manning next assured tue
visitors of the congress of Soush Car
olina's welcome.
SPEAKS OF FORD'S PARTY.