New Britain herald., 1918-10-07
STATE CHAMBER OF
 COMMERCE ID MEET
Delegates Will Witness Ship
 Launching at GrotOn Yards

The annual meeting of the Connecti- cut Chamber of Commerce will take the form of a two day War Confer ence this year, beginning Monday, Oc- tober Fist. Every effort is being put forth by the Groton Iron Works to have their first launching on this date. It will be the first steel vessel to be completed at the Groton Iron Works for the United States Emergency Corporation and Alton T. Miner and l.. A. Sprague chairman of the pro- gram committee for the annual meet ing of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce has succeeded in securing invitations to the launching for all delegates who attend the annual meeting of the Chamber. This will offer splendid opportunity for the delegates to witness the launching of Connecticut's first steel ship for our ''Victory'' fleet.
 The ship to be launched will be an 5000 ton vessel. It is certain that a number of dignitaries will be present for the launching and that it will be remarkable occasion.
 The average man has little concep- tion of what ship tonnage means. Not long ago an official statement by the government explained that an s. 900 ton vessel of the standardized type being built to beat the subma- rlne will carry general cargo equal to the contents of 450 freight cars; that is a train three and one-half miles long.
 The launching will take place in the early afternoon of October 21st. Delegates should report at the Mohic- an hotel at Il a. m. on October 21st, 1918, in order to receive badges and credentials. The badges will be nec- essary in order to secure admission to the shipyards at the time of the launching
 Sec. l.. A. Sprague of the New Brit ain Chamber of Commerce is chair man of the state committee on pro- gram and speakers and is at work se- curing nationally known speakers for the occasion. Large delegations will attend from practically every town in Connecticut. Sec. Sprague hopes to have delegation of at least Is bus mess men attend from New Britain.
 The tentative program is given here and if the plans materialize will provide one of the best gatherings the State Chamber has ever had. Final announcement will be made later.
 Mohican hotel, headquarters.
 New London program:
 Monday, October 21st, 1918:
 11:00 to 1920 registration at the Mohican hotel; 12:30 to 200, cham Der and Rotary luncheon, address of welcome by E. E. Rogers, mayor: re- sponse E. P. Jones, Pres. Conn. Chamber; 200 to 4:30, boat trip State Pier submarine base, Fit. Trum- bull Ship and Engine Co.,, to Groton Iron Works; 4:3O to 5:30, ship launching and trip through ship yards; 500, Chamber dinner at Mo- hican hotel, speakers, Chas Schwab, ex-Pres Taft, Gov. Holcomb, Col. Roosevelt subject to be chosen.
 Tuesday October 22nd, 1918:
 10:OO A. M., Pres. H. H. Wheeler, National Chamber or Secy. E. H. Goodwin, National Chamber, Part Chamber is playing in helping in the winning of the war; 11:OO A. M, Americanization work in Connecticut, H. H. Wheaton, state director; 11:3O A. M.. Value of Commercial Organi- zation to State, $. B. Chandler, Com pensation Commission of State, mem Der of State Council of Defense, Joe AlsOp, eX-Chairman State Council of Defense; 12:30, group dinner ( speak CT or just get-together meeting); 200, address, "What Chamber means to Business Man. E. A. F'ilene, Ma tional Director; 800, routine busi- ness, report of committees, passage of resolution introduced, election of officers 1919,