The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-12-23

which they had met as being secured
by the Chamber of Commerce. He
referred to the Tobacco Warehouse
and the Sumter Roller Mills as enter
prlses, fostered by the Chamber of
commerce, which would prove of
lm~measurable value when the boil
"eeVll arrived. Stock raising was an
industry which was being encouraged
In every way possible by the organiza-
ton, and it would be a necessity on
the arrival of the boil weevil. He
stated that the Chamber of Commerce
NEEDED new life n should be re-or-
ganized. He asked that the recon-
mendation of the directors that the
election of directors and officers in
January instead of in March. as
heretofore. be adopted.
Mr.. Belser referred to the County
Fair as an offspring of the Chamber
OF Commerce, carried to a successful
consummation by Messrs. Williamson
and Tisdale, with the Chamber of
Commerce looking after much of the
detail work. He stated that the BODY
was still hammering on the Sumter
Olanta-Shiloh railway and it was
hoped to secure this in time. Efforts
were being put forth to secure electric
current produced by water power and
the Chamber Of Commerce had thu
matter up with both the Southern
Power company and the Parr Shoals
Ec9npsny: Is tes so,npanlsak sssIa b
rent could be secured to operate f&c-
tories. and work supplied to more
men and women, a factor which
would become very important when
the boil weevil drove many residents
of the country, to the city for employ
ment.
He then made a statement of the
condition of the finances of the Cham
Der Of Commerce and asked the in
dorscment and hearty support of the
business men of Sumter and Sumter
county, for whom the organization
vas working.
Mr.. E. I. Reardon was called upon,
n he told of what he had been do
Ing in the past year in endeavoring
with Mr.. Williams and Miss Lennon
to encourage the raising of grain and
live stock, and bringing the farmers
to realize the danger which was COM
ing and to prepare for it by diversif-
cation. He referred to the pessimistic
spirit which had grasped many Of
Sumter's citizens two years ago but
which had brought only g%roundless
fears, and proposed to continue to
encourage a spirit Of optimism among
farmers and merchants. He referred
to the good offices Of the bankers
and merchants in aiding in averting
what might have been a panic two
years ago. After the storm last sum-
mer he a secured seed to distribute
among the storm sufferers and a gov
eminent fund to be expended among
them in work on the roads. He said
that the Greater American Shows had
been secured quarters here for the
winter, when they would turn loose
considerable money among the mer-
chants. A,rHHR
Mr.. j. Frank Williams gave his
view of the Chamber of Commerce
from a farmers standpoint and as one
working for the farmers interest. He
said the organization was active in
disseminating information, that it was
conveniently located and that it had
cooperated with him in every way re-
quested and desired in aiding to or
ganize the farmers against and warn
ing them of the boil weevil n
He referred to the County Fair and
cotton grader as secured through the
organization. :..ti
He stated that its chief object nov
was to secure marketing facilities for
grains and stock which were produced
on the farms. He said it should see
to the regulation of prices so that
the producer and consumer should
both be fairly treated.
Mr.. A. C. Phelps thought the Cham
Der of Commerce was essential to a
progressive community as were
churches and schools. 1t needed hot
air and finances to run it. This one
seemed to have plenty of hot air. but
was short on finances. which he
thought should be gladly supplied by
the business men of Sumter. He
said that while it worked for the