New Britain herald., 1918-06-18
MERCHANTS ENJOY
 MONDAY LUNCHEON
About 50 Present to Hear Hart
 ford Men Speak

The first of a, series of noon-day luncheons under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce was inaugu- rated today at the Hotel Beoin About 50 members were present.
 When the guests were standing Sec retary SDrague, who presided, re- quested that everyone present intro
 duce himself to the member on his right and by that means all became
 acquainted Each mentioned his
 line of business, also which added in-
 terest.
 Two speakers were heard after the
 luncheon. Rev. Dr. William C.
 Hooper, pastor of St. Johns church.
 Hartford, and F. G. Macomber of
 the Hartford Chamber of Commerce
 were the speakers Rev. Dr. Hooper
 urged the cooperation and interest of the merchants in the sale of Thrift
 Stamps. He pointed out that in Ne
 braska. the sale of stamps has been very large, the records giving a credit of 100 per cent sales Connecticut never takes the follow attitude. It
 is usually in the lead and he hoped it would be so in this case. He con- cluded his remarks by reading from President Wilson's proclamation. In the introduction of President Macomber Secretary Sprague said he ] canvassed the merchants of New Britain and found one general com plaint and that WAS because much of the New Britain patronage went to 1 Hartford.
 President Macomber said that if most of the New Britain trade was going to Hartford he should be get ting money from the Hartford mer- chants. He placed the blame on New Britain merchants for the condition that exists. Recently he met a New Britain man in Hartford. The man ! was going to purchase tooth paste which he explained he could buy for ! 32 cents, where if he bought the same 1 article in New Britain he would pay ! 50 cents. Speaking of the work of the ] Chs; mher of Commerce he said that | when anything is wrong with the 1 Chamber of Commerce the trouble l will generally be found in the mem- l bership Large memberships are not l necessary, but an unselfishness is 1 necessary for the success Of the or 1 'ganization. The present war will work
 a big change in conditions following. 1 The internal revenue will never be re-
 moved from the statutes but will be l l utilized to improve sociological con- 1 ditiOnS A1r. MacOmber appealed to l the merchants to step in and do their l part in the war, pointing out that the l million men on the other side arc not 1 complaining, though they are giving 1 all their time and are prepared to make the supreme sacrifice, which is l not called upon of those at home. ! When those men return they are going l to demand better things.
 ! President Macomber advised if there was anything wrong with the Chamber of Commerce in New Brit 1 ain to look around and see if there are not some who have a selfish axe | to grind. If trade cannot be held
 in New Britain MT. Macomber said
 he had no sympathy for the mer-
 chants. Boom New Britain for New 1 Britain. not for a section. If the
 lesson is not learned voluntarily it
 will be by cOmpulsion later. Get into
 the game for New Britain and if New 1 Britain gets there you'1l get there ] too.' said MT. Macombcr in concll-
 sion.
 l The exercises closed with the sing ing of The star Spangled Banner