The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-11
Chief Executive. and


between the United States and Ger
many, not of our seeking, but forced
upon us,
We do now pledge our loyalty and
support to the president and we
pledge every assistance which we are
capable Of rendering in trying times
now upon us, even to the extent of
our resources and our lives if need
be. Respectfully submitted,
I. c. STRAUSS,
c. j. JACKSON,
e. w. DABBS,
Committee on Resolutions.
The secretary, by unanimous vote
was instructed to telegraph these
resolutions to President Woodrow
Wilson.
Mr.. H. G. Osteen suggested that in
as much as Hon. John L. McLaurin
Will speak in Sumter on April 21st on
the subject of the Sumter cotton
market, and it being likely that there
will be large crowd of farmers and
other business men here from Sumter
and other counties to hear him, that
the Committee on Public Safety Of
Sumter county use this meeting to
! have Mr.. McLaurin and other speak,
ers emphasize the Importance Of
farmers preparing for the emergency
confronting the country by planting
food crops.
Mr.. j. NJ. Kolb suggested that those
present ask their ministers in different
churches throughout this county to
announce that there will be held com.
munity or township meetings in every
township on Monday night, April 9th,
the local committees to arrange the
places of meeting today and be ready
to inform the ministers.
Following the suggestion by Chair
man Phelps that it is the duty Of
Sumter county to take care of those
dependent upon the patriotic young
men and all others who volunteer to
serve their country in. this crisis. the
following resolution offered by Mr.. I.
Z. Strauss was unanimously adopted
by rising vote, and applauded.
I'VE pledge to those men of our
county who may be called to the col
ors in our defense that we shall see
to it that their dependents suffer no
want"
The meeting went on record. by
suggestion of Chairman Phelps as be-
ing willing and anxious to cooperate
with the women of Sumter city and
Sumter county in the Red Cross work
being planned by these ladies.
DR.. M. l.. Parler said that the Sum
ter County Medical Association ha d
met and offered their services to thei.
country, and to assist the ladies in the
Red Cross organizations
1t was agreed that the Sumter
Chamber Of Commerce shall be the
central bureau of organization and
activity for the plans of the Sumter
County Committee on Public Safety.
and President Phelps announced that
he and Managing Secretary Reardon,
with the entire machinery, office
force, and membership of this COM
mercial organization is at the disposal
OF the committees and the farmers
and other citizens of Sumter county.
TO DO anything that the Chamber of
Commerce can do or may be calle;l
upon to do for our county and our
country
1t was decided that it would not be
necessary. for the present at least, to
call general county mass meeting
of the people in Sumter, but to work
through townships, communities,
schools. churches. and other civic
bodies.
Saturday, April 21st, at II O'Clock
| o. III, OIL COmllrco
was the date set for next meeting to
hear reports Of progress from the
township committees, unless called to-
gether by the chairman sooner for
any special reason. Mr.. I. c. Straus;
delivered a very inspiring talk r..
garding the duty from patriotic
standpoint of the township commit
tees and the Importance of every man,
woman, boy and girl cooperating for
self-preservation and the assisting o.
The armies of our country by helping
to feed the soldiers and feeding the
civil population at the same time.
| He also stressed the Importance of
frequent meetings, at least once a
week. if not Oftener of the local Or
township committees who should pay
close attention also to seeing that col