The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-04-01
By Unanimous Vote to Be
Known as Chamber of
Commerce
SPEAKER TALKS ON
MEXICAN SITUATION
A. w. Donly, Former Canadian Trade
Commissioner in Mexico, Calls Car
ranza Bandit and Bolshevist-Day-
light Savings Question Comes Up.

Hereafter the Brattleboro organization
which has been known as the board of
trade will be officially the Brattleboro
Chamber of Commerce The change was
made at a meeting of members in the
headquarters in the town building last
evening, when a new constitution drawn
up by committee chosen for that pur-
pose was adopted by unanimous vote.
Aside from the business the principal
feature was an address by A. W. Donly.
former Canadian trade commissioner in
Mexico, who spoke on the subject.
Thoughts and Suggestions of a Canadian
Errant in the Land of the Montezumas.
This was followed by a buffet luncheon
served by ID. H. Scovill, closing a meet
ing of much interest
The room was well filled when Presi-
dent A. F Roberts called the meeting to
order, and Secretary II. f. Mofit ex-
planned the changes provided for in the
new constitution. The document was a.
dopted by unanimous vote
II. F. Jordan thought it would be well
i to get the sentiment of the meeting as
to the question of daylight saving, and
Secretary Moffit stated that he had
drawn up a letter to be mailed to en-
!, ployers asking for Their views on the
question. On motion Cf Ar. Jordan it
. was voted to send the letter to all the
members. President Roberts then pre-
sented the speaker Of the evening
: Mr.. Donly lived in Mexico more than
+ % years. eight years as a representative
of the Canadian government, and rubbed
+ shoulders with Mexicans of all degrees
: from the most highly educated class to
: the humblest Indian
Summing up the whole Mexican situa-
l ytion he said the great trouble in that
e country was ignorance, more than so per
' cent of the population being illiterate to
: the extent that they cannot read nor even
/ write their own names.
/ His address was very illuminating and
|. gave his hearers an entirely new view or
e the Mexican situation. He spoke fully al
n hour.
e Mr. Donly was in Mexico from 1899 Il
1914 He who would tell all the truth abou
s Mexico must be a walking encyclopedia
s Mr.. Donly said. However, he gave a very
IS good picture of conditions in that country
l. The Latin character and habit o
l. thought are very different from that o
is the Anglo-Saxon. The rank and file o
re MeXicans have little or no conception
q Of what democracy means and are total!
incapable of self-government, largely be
cause of four centuries of misrule. Their
are three classes of people in Mexico
The educated land-holding and professiona
class comprise about Is per cent, the pc
I litica and military class, which is
little over three per cent, and the peas
ants. Permanent improvement in cond
n tions will come from education of tn
masses.
Mr. Donly holds that while Porfri
Diaz was somewhat of dictator he wa
Just and honest. He established credi
le for his country, brought in foreign capita
e developed industry in Mexico, founded
se public school system and newspaper
?. built railroads and kept down revolr
N tions He left the work unfinished
$ 1911 at the end of 35 years of ruling
l. Since Diaz retired 10 years of revolution
Continued on Page 81