The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-02-11
MONDAYS BANQUET
FINE AFFAIR

Chamber Of Commerce Hears Prac-
/ tical Address mt Banquet From
Spartanburg Secretary.
Following the annual election of Of
flcers the Chamber OF Commerce held
an enjoyable banquet at the Laurens
Hotel Monday night the speaker OF
the evening being E. B. Walker, secre-
tary Of the Spartanburg Chamber Of
Commerce. Eigihty-two members and
guests were present, the banquet re-
sulting in revived interest in the
commercial body. The address of Mr..
Walker was along practical lines and
was filled with interesting informa-
tion about commercial clubs, how they
are best run and the results that may
he attained by them. Dr.. w. II. Dial,
retiring president, acted as toastmas..
ter and made an excellent presiding
officer.
Mr.. Walker, in opening his address,
made few complimentary references
to Laurens, especially as to the at
tractiveness of the city, it's manGfac-
turing industries and present pro-
gress. Referring to the local glass
factory and the improvements being
made in the Laurcns Mill village, he
said many another city would be
blazoning this to the world in huge
letters. Laulnns. he said possesses
all the makings OF large city as
1t has many attractions as a place of
living.
Mr.. Walker said that the first
Chamber Of Commerce was organized
In American over a hundred years ago
and that Charleston had one among
the first of such bodies They were at
first purely trade organization, the
Charleston Chamber Of Commerce
playing en- important part in the con-
struction Of the first railroad in this
country from Charleston to Hamburg
The Chamber Of Commerce Of today
dates back to about ten years ago.
when it came to be chamber OF citi-
.zenship, giving its attention to civic
movements Of every kind.
Location has never made a city, said
Mr.. Walker, citing notable instances
OF thriving cities located away from.
natural resources, but it is the spirit
Of the people which determines what
a city shall be. A city can be just
what Its people want it to be and are
willing to pay for.
The biggest things that a Chamber
of Commerce can do, continued Mr..
Walker, is to teach people to think,
to give, to create a spirit OF enter
prise and teach the beauties OF public
service. For a chamber OF commerce
to thrive. 1t must have a working
membership and financial backing.
The officers, he said, do not make the
success Of a commercial body and can
not make it a success without the
moral and financial support Of it's
members. Taking up here a more de-
tailed description of how a Chamber
Of Commerce may be run and what it
can do for a town, he gave a very
practical and helpful talk. He advised
an intensive campaign for member
ship and paid secretary to give full
time to the duties OF the office. He
was given a loud applause and a
standing vote OF thanks at the close
Of his address.
Following the address of Mr. Walk
cr short talks were made by II. r..
Wilson. superintendent of edccation,
Rev. C. r. Squircs and r. r. Nickels,
the incoming president.
Election OF Officers.
At the meeting prior to the ban
quet, r. r. Nickcls was elected presi-
dent, Alison Lee secretary, DR.. w. II.
Dial, E. p. Minter Geo. NJ. Wright,
w. *. McCuen, w. l.. Gray and NJ. l..
Smith were elected directors. DR..
w. II. Dial is the retiring president
and Mr.. w. r. McCucn Is the retiring
secretary. having refused to serve
again after having served since the
organization OF the Chamber OF Com
mcrce three years ago.
GOVERNOR COOPER