The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-09

arose and in this tribute to the per- sonality, ability and friendship of MT. Blanchard presented him with the watch:
 MT Blanchard, for 10 years you have been associated with us. To- night we have gathered here with the common purpose of expressing the appreciation which these 10 years of contact have created.
 "It is not alone that we have ad- mired and respected your judgment and ability as a manager but those of Us who have had occasion to come in- to close contact with you have felt the inspiration of your personality and exceptional qualities as a man; and we all have appreciated the har- monious atmosphere which your pa- tience and tact has created.
 "This evening, beneath the congen- ial emotion of the present hour and the pleasant visions of the past there is an undercurrent of sadness as we realize you are no longer associated with us. To me has been granted the privilege of attempting to express the motives which have brought us here.
 '1 came here," said MT. Blanchard fin 1906. I think some of the men of the Ashcroft Manufacturing Go. had the idea that with a new manager sweeping changes in the forces would be effected. That certainly did not materialiZe."
 Only two men lost their positions under MT. Blanchards rule and those men because they had hidden plans of the company which they be- heved would make them indispensab ble to the company and permit them freedom from labor, which their scheme did not justify.
 High credit for the loyalty of the men working under him in the Ash croft Manufacturing Co. was paid in these words:
 'In preparing statistics for the ben- eft of one of the national associations some records were made showing the ratio of the number of men on the pay rolls of a number of our factor ies here with reference to the actual hours worked by the men. The Ashcroft Manufacturing Co. and the Consolidated Safety Valve Co., had the highest percentage of attendance of any organization in Bridgeport This is highly creditable to you men who have always been keenly alive to your work"
 ''But no words could so we'll ex- press our sentiments as the mere es- sembling of men who. because of the prompting of their own feelings, have gathered here to do you honor and leave with you, remembrance of their good will.''
 MT. Cone presented the watch of heavy gold, which bears this inscrip- ton within the case:
 Presented to Frederick c.
 Blanchard by his former asso-
 ciates in the Ashcroft Manufac?
 uring Go. and the Consolidated
 Valve Co.-Bridgeport, Conn.,,
 October 7, 1916.'
 Though greatly affected, MT. Blanchard arose amidst prolonged cheering and after expressing his deep gratitude to MT. Cone, whom he ad- dressed in person continued by saying to all that the incident was the most gratifying that had occurred in his lifetime and one he would treasure both in memory and in reality by car rying with him.
 Detailing the fact that when MT. Blanchard left on his vacation in July he had no knowledge that before his return he would be associated else where, he assured all present that his retirement from the Ashcroft Manu- featuring Co. would mean no change of personnel and pleaded that the men retain the same spirit of organization under new management that had been maintained under his supervision.
 The speaker also Gold of having a similar experience in the presentation of a watch when he left the Fort Wayne Electric Go. Though long cher ished for it's association with four years of work there. the new gift will take precedence not alone from 10 years of association here but because of the close relation he has had with the larger number of employees.