The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-11-29
WILSON TO D VISIT
GREAT GATHERING
Several Thousand Delegates Expect.
cd at Meeting During Second
Week in December.

Norfolk, Va.,s Nov. 27:-President
Wilson's coming to Norfolk Decem-
Der II to participate in the opening
programme Of: the eighth annual
conventions Of the Southern CONNER
cial congress, following closely upon
his reelection, will give an impetus to
the Southern invasion Of Norfolk
that is expected to assemble here
that day the largest throng that has
ever gathered for an event in Viz
ginia. The day will be literally alive
with features of the type calculated
to draw crowds from distant as well
as nearby cities and the lowest esti-
mate that has been placed upon the
expected multitude Of visitors. on
Woodrow Wilson day is. $4,000.
Henry G. Barbee,. chairman Of the
citizens executive committee, esti-
mates that the four days of the con-
vention will draw to this city between
100000 and. 125; 900 visitors. The
16 State executives Of the house of
Southern governors have each ap-
pointed upwards OF. 100 official dele
gates. Gov. Stuart, Of Virginia, is
completing his list, which will in
clude the names.of probably 1000
prominent Virginians, The Southern
municipalities boards 4 Of trade,
chambers Of commerce and other
commercial bodies will name up
wards Of 5000 delegates. DR.. Clar.
ence; J.. Owens of Washington, man
aging director Of. the Southedn. Com
mercial congress, estimates that the
number Of official delegates will run
between 5000 and 10000. y. (.
Aside from the stellar programme
features announced for Wilson day
each Of the subsequent: days will Of
fer attractions for visitors and when
the final count is made it will not be
surprising if Chairman Barbee's pre-
diction is realized. ..
In addition to the convention Of
the congress- there viii be no : less
than eight other Southern and ma
tionai bodiese simultaneously in an
nual conference
President Wilson will arrive from
Washington with his party on the
presidential yacht MayfoWer, proba-
bly, Sunday, December 10, reviewing
in Hampton Roads and Norfolk har-
Dor the entire Atlantic fleet, which
will constitute; the largest armada
ever assembled :at one time under the
American flag. Secretary Of. the
Navy, Josephus Daniels has included
in the fleets winter programme q
stay of five days in Hampton Roads
as compliment to the Southern
Commercial congress. The secretary
will deliver an address December l3
at the morning session of the con-
gress.l The feet is expected to put to
sea on the. morning Of December IA
for taget practice ;off Cape Henry.
The president will make the clos
ing address at the opening. session
December IL, after which he will re-
view the imposing naval, military, in
dustrial, commercial, civic and social
parade. He will be the guest of
Norfolk at a diner at the Monti-
cello hotel an dmay go to Cape Hen
ry, where the. new s8,000,000 Fort
Storey, first defense of the entrance
to the Chesapeake, will be built, to
attend 8 public oyster roast. The
Mayfower with the presidential par
ty. is expected to leave here for
Washington the same night, although
it, is possible the presidents stay may
be heightened another day. In the
latter event he will review the colos-
sal night water carnival, which will
be the most spectacular feature OF
the convention. ,-r...
SOUTH OFFERS
A IT'D ATTInNC