New Britain herald., 1916-06-06
BUSINESS MEN HOT
 AT 'BIG BOARD
Almost Unanimous in Adopting
 Resolution Against Parade

Throwing down the gauntlet in a tone which is likely to have it's effect on the Chamber of Commerce, the mercantile bureau of that organiza- tion gathered yesterday afternoon to
 take action on the move that sent a | great part of the trading public from 1 this city to Hartford last Saturday af- ternoon.
 It was said to a reporter that the meeting of yesterday afternoon was not unanimous in the adoption of a
 resolution that in the future matters pertaining to similar affairs, be re- 1 ferred to the directorate of the mer- | cantile bureau. This was, however, | denied by a member who was pres 1 ent, who stated that with one excep- ton, the members heartily endorsed 1 the sentiment embodied in the reso- ] lution. Continuing further on the subject, the speaker informed the re- 1 porter that in the past when impor- tant matters were to be taken up. such as the Christmas tree and the Fourth of July celebration, the CO., operation of the bureau was always sought, and in many instances the brunt of the undertaking was left to these persons, even to the collection of funds. "But in the recent matter the mercantile bureau was not con- sidered as serious as heretofore,' he said
 This member of the Chamber has been placed in a position within the past few days, where considerable of the opposition to the movement was put up to him. One resident called at his place of business and severly scored him for the placing of the large posters in the factories and when he expostulated that he was not in accord with the plan, the only satisfaction he received was that the Chamber of Commerce members were advocating fine things when they al- lowed the signature of the >rganiza- tion to be affixed to the notice.
 In telephone talk with the secre- tary of the Chamber this afternoon, one of the members insisted that the true facts of yesterdays meeting be given to the press and he said if the official did not do this he would do so himself.
 Champions of the parade idea have been prone to impress the fact that W. w. Leland, the president of the bureau, was a member of the com mittee appointed to make the prepar-
 
 of the plan, he absolutely refused to be a party to the movement Every of the bureau in attendance at the session voiced his disapproval of a repetition of a similar occurrence, those who were forced to leave the before the vote was taken, stating that this was their attitude.
 Secty. Andrews Statement.
 AS there seems to be some misun- oerstandlng and some conflicting re- ports regarding the matter of the l New Britain Chamber of Commerce l haVlng assisted in promoting the pre- paredness parade in Hartford, Satur- 1 day, l wish to state that, as a result 1 or a request from the Hartford com n1ttee special meeting of the direc- tors was called to consider the mat ter
 Owing to the facts that full informa- t1on regarding the matter was lack ing, and as there was some opposition to New Britains taking part, a spe- clal committee consisting of the chair men or the civic bureau, the chairman or the mercantile bureau, and one other olrector, was appointed to get l 1ull 1hlornaton and to determine if 1 posslole' the sentiment of various in terests ana 10 report back to the di- rectors at another meeting to be called 1 on the following day.
 The committee reported on Thurs day without making Recommendations for or against the chambers oiDine its support.
 The question was not considered as one representing any particular inter- est. It was considered as representine all interest.
 Action was taken by the directors of the chamber favoring the support of the parade, and while the action was not unanimous, those favoring it were in a very large majority.
 As a result of a feeling on the part l of many of the directors of the mer- | camille bureau, a special meeting of 1 the directors of the bureau which was l largely attended was held yesterday, at | which time resolution was adopted | which expressed the feeling that the l interests had not been giv- | en sufficient consideration by the di rectors of the Chamber and embodied | 3 request that in the future the active