The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-05-11

The largest and most spirited gath
efing Of It's kind ever held in Fair
mont was the Fairmont Chamber Of
commerce's annual meeting held last
night. one hundred and eighty bust
ness men Of Fairmont were served 81
the annual banquet and took part In
the discussions following. A spirit Of
enthusiasm took hold from the first
minute and so pronounced was the
overtone Of cooperation and prepare
ton that speakers who had prepar
adj speeches, abandoned them and ak
ed e1oqently and extemporaneously
along the line in which the enthusiasm
Of the evening was directed.
The big feature Of the event was
the arrival Of large delegation Of
First ward members and business men
marching in order behind the Carlow
band and a large American flag. II
was emphasized that from now on
there were no divisional factions In
the city, and many references were
made during the evening by the speak
ers on this demonstration.
An expression Of the sentiment oil
the evening was when Charles w. Ev'
ans, called upon to make a speech
leaped to his feet and started on the
"Star spangled Banner" With voices
wavering on the high notes but com
ing out strong the remainder Of the
time, the audience poured out the Ma
ttonal melody. The first verse o.
America was later sung.
At the conclusion Of the splendid din
ner served by the ladies Of the Pres
byterian church, President Ross call
ed the session to order and few
minutes later the nine retiring dtrec.
tofshhad. been reelected to q term OF
three years. These directors are An
thony Bowen, Charles w. Evans, H. ].
Ross, T. l. Brett, ]. M. Hartley, Sam
r. Nuzum, Rollo j. Conley, Albert L.
Lehman and M. A. Fletcher.
j. M. Jacobs was introduced as mas.
ter Of ceremonies for the evening and
started the affair with splendid plea
for the members of the Chamber to
uphold the President, stand behind the
Governor and uphold the hands and
work with the Mayor
Mayor Bowen, on "Fairmont's Bit,
declared that a cooperation and spirit
.of efficiency would help more in the
face Of the present crisis than anything
else Fairmont might do.
w j. Wiegel then took the floor
and talked on Opportunity and Co
operation" Mr.. Wiegal reviewed the
progress Of the city that has been
made in the past few months and
brought before the attention Of his au'
dience an imposing number Of import
ant improvements, the aggregate mag
nitude Of which they had possibly not
before grasped.
Declaring that there was a great
future for the city, larger even that the
individual probably could realize, and
that hard work is Just as necessary
! to the development Of city as Wis
ion, he closed his address with plea
for greater cooperation on the part
II Fairmonters.
A telegram from G. NJ. Alexander,
who was to have spoken on "Mtli
tafy Training in the Schools" express
Ing his views on the subject, was read
By Superintendent Of City Schools o,
@. Wilson in the absence Of Mr.. Alex
ander. Mr.. Wilson's views were an
tagonistic to the idea of military train
ing in the schools, and he went to some
length in an exposition Of them. Mr..
Alexander In his telegram favored
heartily system in the schools, par
ticularly high schools, whereby light
training at least in the rudiments OF
military tactics might be taught.
Captain Kemble White, speaking on
sour National Crisis" dwelt eloquent
lyiof the sacrifices that must be made
now, his address calling forth applause
again and again.
Following Mr.. Whites talk Score.
tary Evans called for the singing OF
the "Star Spangled Banner"
.Railroads in War Times" was the
subject Of the Honorable o. s. NC
Kinney's address, and In 1t he made a
nowerful plea for fair treatment Of
the railroads, particularly In the mat
ter Of permitting them to increase
rates.
III. in. Marsh, of the Baltimore and
Mo railroad, was then introduced and
81 esented the railroads side of the
question. That the Chamber under.
stood the mater and recognized the
necessity Of the railroads, was evil
denced in motion passed unanimous
n authorizing the secretary to direct
~ the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and the state commission, recon.
nandations asking that they permit
liie railroads to increase their rates.
Joseph Roster, president Of Fair.
mont Normal spoke on the conserva.
Hon of foodstuffs, particularly in the
titehens Of the country. Mr.. Roster
declared that authorities estimated