Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-03-12
CLEARLY SHOWN
BY MEMBERS OF
new CHAMBER
Old Board To Start Ma
chinery For Accom-
plishment Today

The two greatest needs of the COM
munity, and the questions that call
for solving first and at once, accord
ing to the overwhelming opinion of
the membership of the new Chamber
of Commerce, are the erection of a
packing plant and the building of
houses for people to live in here.
This was indicated today by DR.. FL.
q. Haskell, in charge of the reorgan-
ization work, following the classifica-
ton by chamber officials of a large
number of the questionnaires thus
far filled out by members at the num-
erous membership group meetings
which have been held this week. The
discussions at these meetings empha-
sized the verdict of the questionaires.
The replies declaring the packing
house and the housing problem to be
OF first Importance are piling up far
ahead of all other subjects" said
DR.. Haskell. ''In fact, the prepon-
derance on these two subjects is so
great as to indicate clearly that they
are first by great margin in the
minds of the public to such an extent
as to call for immediate action by
the officers of the chamber handling
them. This does not mean that there
are not other problems and other
needs of the community.
Ladies Want Rest Room.
"Many other subjects are interest
ing the membership. The ladies, in
particular, have indicated the need
for a public rest room among other
matters that appear of Importance
from their view point. However, the
packing plant and housing subjects
stand out so strongly in the answers
to the questionaires that they are be-
ing considered by the old board in
session this afternoon. Committees
will probably be appointed to arrange
forum meetings Immediately looking
toward the accomplishment of the ex-
pressed desire of the community.
"The matter of the cleanup cam
paign will also be attended to at to-
days meeting and preparations for
turning the organization over to the
newly elected board of directors when
elected Monday arranged"
The group meetings have been
powerful agency in focusing COM
munity thought on the vital needs of
Sumter county and Americas. The
members of the chamber fronl out
side of Americas have been especial
ly active in these meetings, and &p-
pear to feel for the first time chat a
genuine pull-together movement for
all of the county has begun. The
farmers appears to be a unig for the
packing plant 1t is their on, hope
for insuring themselves against the
boil weevil menace, they say, since
it will insure them year-around mar
ket at their doors for their live stock,
saving them the losses always incur
red in shipping stock to distant
market.
Housing Vital Need.
The vital need for solving the
housing problem has also been almost
unanimously recognized. The mem-
bership appears to be thoroughly con-
vinced that the city is losing every
day by not being able to accomo-
date desirable people who wish to
come here. 1t is recognized, also,
that if the needed industries are to
be acquired houses must of necessity
be provided for the workers required
to man the plants.
Great interest is being manifest in
the final election for the board of
directors of the reorganized Chamber
of Commerce, according to Dr. Has
kell. Although the ballots have just
gone out, votes are already being re-
ceived at the Chamber headquarters
and indications are that very heavy
vote will be cast. The ballot box will
be closed at 4:30 o'clock Monday af-
ternoon.
Group meeting are being held this
afternoon and will continue Satur-
day. Today's group will be in charge
of L. A. Morgan and Saturdays will
be led by S. R. Heys. The chamber
officials urge that every member
men and women-take advantage of
these meetings for the expression of
opinions on the vital questions affect
ing the future of Americas and Sum,
ter county.