The Owosso times., 1921-01-21
Chamber Of Commerce Hears Good
Programme.

n picd loI q LuoIo dCtlNo iutclesO IL
public affairs by the public generally
was sounded by Rep. George Welch. OF
Grand Rapids, the principal speaker at
the second bi-monthlv banquet and
meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
held at the srmory Tuesday night
One hundred and forty eight men at.
tended, !and enjoyed a delicious fish
supper served by the Ladies' auxiliary
of the American Legion.
Other speaker at the gathering were
Fred M. Grove, E. q. Dearth, of Eau
Claire, Wis, Mrs Jennie Virgins,
Senator Byron P. Hicks and H. e..
Dignan
Rep. Welch spoke on the subject,
1.-The Business Man and Politics" He
deplored the apathy toward public
affairs that characterizes the average
person. despite the fact that the con-
duct of public affairs is most vital to
everyone. He asserted that despite the
fact that q certain odium attaches to
the term politician and that he detested
it, the term according to his own
definition, must be applied to the man
who repeatedly holds Office.
my definition of a politician" he
said, lis a man who runs for Office once
and is elected and runs again and is
elected. If he is defeated on his second
attempt, he is no politician. Under my
own definition. must confess that
am a deep dyed in. the. wool politician,
for haye been elected several times.
However, despite this odium,
which I wish could be removed, must
say that no one is compelled to 60
straig hter or to keep his skirts cleaner
than the mau in public office"
Rep Welch declared that prior to
his entry, by accident, into the political
arena, he held the same view toward
public Office holders that most people
do, and that he was apathetic regard.
ing public affairs, merely voting on
election dsyssand -devoting the time
between elections to cussing the men
in Office for what they did. After he
got in, however, he asserted he found
things entirely different than he sup
posed. He said that he discovered that
most public officials seek to do the thing
they believe to be right.
The speaker declared that nothing
was more honorable or more gratifying
than politics to those who took ar
honorable and active part and that the
satisf action of accomplishment wal
worth the sacrifice and hard knocks &
public Office holder had to take apt
make.
Senator Hicks, in brief speech made
a ringing appeal for confidence in one'
town, declaring that confidence an(
CO. operation could double Owosso II
size in ten years.
Mr.. Grove and Mr.. Dearth spoke OF
the proposed canning industry, givin,
facts and figures regarding the indus
try. They announced that they woult
solicit sales of stock among the bust
ness men during the next few days
One hundred farmers haye thus ia
taken stock.
H. Fl. Dignan, former president o
the Chamber of Commerce, mentione'
some of the objectives which tn
Chamber is striving for. They in
clude new city hall, new High school
better street lighting in the residenc
district and general civic improvement
Mrs. Virgins made an appeal for
heartier response tc the request fo
money for the Hoover relief fund fo
the starving children of Europe.
COMMITTEES NAMED.
President Conn Of the Chamber c
Commerce announced the appointment
of two committees for the comm
year. They are: Entertainment, Ere
w. Smith, FL. q. Parker Fl. K. Whit,
M. F. Blair, M. J. DeYoung and Harol
Lyon; Civic committee, H. H. Dignal
John J. M cDonald, o. L. Davis, Jam,
Osburn. A. d. Alliton, w. " Robil
son, w. J. Melchers, W. A. Rose
krans and Charles Osburn.
1t was announced that the next su
per will be held three weeks hence.