Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-01-10
COUNCIL OUT OF
TRADE CHAMBER;
BOARD HITSBACK

Secretary Perkins, of the Chamber,
which had been received by j. ID
Hightower, president, from L. G,
Council, president of the Planters
Bank of Americas, resigning from the
chamber and cancelling 10 member
ships in the chamber at $25 per year
each. held by himself and the bank
The letter came very much as
shock to the commissioners, who had
had no intimation of it. An animal,
ed discussion ensued following which
the resignation was accepted and the
secretary instructed to notify Mr..
Council to that effect.
But the action upon the resignation
was only one result of the letter. Fol
lowing the acceptance of the with
drawal of 10 memberships by Mr..
Council, the commissioners instruct
ed Secretary Perkins to discontinue
ARRANGEMENTS which had been
started for holding the big
membership supper of the chamber
next Wednesday night att he Windsor
hotel. which hotel is owned and OPP
Grated by Mr.. Council, and instructed
the removal of the chambers account
from the Planters bank. It was de-
cided to hold the supper in the tea
room operated by the ladies of the
Episcopal church instead of at the
hotel
Another complication arose from
the cancellation of Mr. Councils
memberships One of the member
ships was held in the name of T. E,
Bolton, assistant cashier of the Plant
ers bank, who is treasurer of the
Chamber. Secretary Perkins was in
structed to invite Mr.. Bolton to take
out an individual membership him
self and remain treasurer of the
chamber, and this invitation was
mailed to Mr. Bolton today
The letter from Mr.. Council to
President Hightower of the Chamber
of Commerce as read, follows;
Mr. j B. Hightower, President,
Americas & Sumter County
Chamber of Commerce.
Dear Sir:
Confirming my telephone con-
versation to your secretary, Mr..
Perkins, late yesterday, l now beg
to request that you discontinue
altogether, on and after this date,
the ten memberships represented
by the Planters Bank of Americas
and myself in the Chamber of
Commerce organization.
After mature consideration, |
have fully determined that this or
ganization is of little or no serv-
ice whatsoever to our interest;
and besides it seems that it often
is advocating and promoting some
thing that is an actual disadvan-
tage and detriment to our inter
est; and therefore certainly do
not care to continue our support
and membership under these
circumstances.
With every assurance of my
best wishes,
Very truly yours,
L. G. COUNCIL.
Mr.. Perkins told the commissioners
of the telephone conversation with
Mr.. Council which was mentioned in
the letter. He declared that MFR.
Council asked him to remove his
name from the supper committee
named by Mr. Hightower to arrange
for the membership supper, and to
have the removal announced. He de-
clared that Mr.. Council had opposed
the change of time for Americas as
Mayor shortly before the expiration
of his term, and in the telephone con-
versation expressed his displeasure at
the part the chamber of commerce had
taken il agitating the movement
which was favorably acted upon by
the new city council last Tuesday
night
Mr.. Perkins offered to take per-
sonal responsibility for the movement,
but asserted he had made thor
ough canvass of the city on the sub
iect of changing from Central to East
ern time, and found the city over
whelmingly for it. The commission
ers and members present, who
included Frank Lanier, John
Sheffield, Frank Sheffield, T. c.
TilIman, j. w. Hightower, j. E.
Hightower, w w. Dykes, j. e. John
ston and w M. Jones, all of whom
were for the change, enthusiastically
endorsed Mr.. Perkins course in as
pertaining public opinion in the mat
ter and presenting the proposal to the