Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-25

 lS KEYNOTE 0F
 CHAMBER DINNER
Enthusiastic Meeting Marks Opening of Campaign for
 Greater City.
OHIO CONGRESSMAN
 URGES PUBLIC SERVICE
James T. Beggs, in Inspiring Ad- dress, Appeals to Pine Bluffians to Lay Selfish Interests
 Aside.

The "Greater Pine Bluff" dinner and
 meeting last night at the Hotel Pines
 was every thing that was hoped for 1t by the campaign leaders of the Chamber of Commerce. It was in-
 comparably the greatest gathering of men and women for the future well
 fare of the city in the history of southeastern Arkansas.
 A new note was struck at the meet ing, the idea of the debt that every citizen owes to his community to
 make it prosper and better place in which to live.
 The feature of the meeting was the
 address of Congressman James T. Begg of Ohio. He gave masterly presentation of the effect in com
 munity when citizens pull together. He advised the citizens of Pine Bluff to get together, look far in the fu- ture, give of their time and their money and build great city. He compared community service with the service rendered by the American boys on the battlefields of France
 "Why did those boys make the sacrfice?" he asked. "not for per sonal glory or gain, but so that the progress of the human race would ! continue silently on. That is the rea- son, my friends, why you should give of your time and your money to assist your community in all progress sive movements. By so doing, you will be able in a measure to pay your debt to those who have gone before, and in no other way can it be done. All the privileges and joys and con- forts of life we owe to those who have sacrificed and gone before. Let every citizen do what he can to make this city, state and nation a bigger and better place for our children" All the addresses were on a high plane. There was not mention of self-interest. It was apparently gathering of men who believe that civic duty and unselfish public ser vice carry their own reward |. The speakers were President w. w. Taylor. James F. Mcintyre, chair. man of the campaign, William F. IT. Mcfarland, campaign director, explained the plan for the big drive to start next Tuesday morning. He asked for 15O men for the canvassing teams.
 Many Women Present. There was large representation Of women at the dinner, most of whom were members of clubs who have | been interested in civic work. There was great ovation when MT. Begg was introduced The entire assemblage arose to it's feet and ap~ plauded. He gave the first part of hi, talk to present national conditions
 "There never was a time in the history of the country" he said "when so great necessity for com- munities to get together and solve their local problems. as at present. Everywhere we hear mutterings of discontent. People are dissatisfied and not willing to go along as they have in the past have frequently heard the expression as I travelled about the country, Why in the world doesn't congress do something?' Why don't they pass laws in Wash ington to settle the unrest in the country"
 "Now my friends. being one of those charge with the responsihilitv at Washington, and not being afraid to assume my share of the respon- sibility that goes with the job, want to say to you that the great respon- sibility does not rest in Washington but on each individual community. It is your task to see, to it that your city is made up of citizens who are pros- porous and happy When each city does that, YOU may then look for stable citizenship in your state and when each of the states are in a stable condition you will have a stable nation.
 "Keep in mind at all times that na- tional stability is directly dependent on state and local stability. For that reason think you people are en- gagged in the greatest piece of re- construction work that can be carried on, building great big organization through which your people can give service effectively to that city ill which they live and rear their fani- lies.
 The Ideal Chamber. "At this point always like to give definition for chamber of com merce. The general opinion of the average man is that chamber of commerce is body of good fellows getting together to boost the town, get more factories, etc. We'll, that is all right. but it does not go half far enough to answer the needs of the average community these days Your community organization these times must be broad enough to function in -.-vo.>~~oo~~o~>